Office of the Historian

176. Memorandum From the Secretary of State’s Special Assistant for Atomic Energy Affairs (Smith) to the Under Secretary of State (Hoover)1

Washington, June 22, 1956.

SUBJECT

  • Amendment of US/Danish Bilateral Agreement on Atomic Cooperation

Discussion

The US and Denmark concluded an agreement for cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy, a “standard” research reactor bilateral, which became effective July 25, 1955 (Tab B).2 The Danish Embassy requested by note of June 12, 19563 that the quantity of U–235 (enriched up to 20%) available for lease to Denmark in accordance with [Page 498] Article II–B of the agreement be increased from six to nine kilograms. The Atomic Energy Commission agreed to increase the amount for Denmark, Germany, and possibly Sweden to a total of 12 kilograms each.

The AEC proposed to take advantage of this occasion to also insert amendments common to research bilaterals concluded in recent months, i.e.:

(a)
A hold-harmless clause with respect to fissionable materials furnished by the US,
(b)
A disclaimer of liability for the accuracy of information exchanged, and
(c)
An offer by the US to furnish research quantities of special nuclear materials—namely, 100 grams of highly enriched U–235, 10 grams of plutonium and 10 grams of U–233.

Recommendation

That, in accordance with Departmental Circular 175,4 you approve negotiation and conclusion of an amendment (as at Tab A)5 to the US/Danish research reactor bilateral and, following Presidential approval, authorize Acting Assistant Secretary C. Burke Elbrick to sign, together with the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission or whomever he may designate, on behalf of the United States.6

  1. Source: Department of State, BNA Files: Lot 58 D 399, DEN–Atomic. No classification marking.↩
  2. Not attached to the source text; for text of the Agreement, see TIAS 3309 or 6 UST 2629.↩
  3. Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.5997/6–1256)↩
  4. A copy of this circular on the proper exercise of the treaty and executive agreement-making power of the United States, December 13, 1955, is in a file retained by the Records Management and Regulations Division of the Bureau of Personnel, Department of State.↩
  5. Not attached to the source text.↩
  6. Hoover approved this recommendation on June 26. For text of the Agreement as extended and amended, see TIAS 3758 or 8 UST 194.↩