292. Paper Agreed Upon at the Conference at Bermuda1
AGREED NOTE ON MILITARY NUCLEAR PROGRAMMES OF FOURTH COUNTRIES
The British Foreign Minister and the U.S. Secretary of State discussed the problems arising from the evident intentions of the French Government to manufacture nuclear weapons and to co-operate in this to an extent at present unknown with the Federal German authorities.
The two Ministers agreed that three possible courses of action were open to them:
- (1)
- To join together in opposing the development of a nuclear military programme in France or in any other “fourth” country.
- (2)
- To associate themselves either jointly or separately with any French or Franco/German programme in order to be able to influence it; or
- (3)
- To adopt a neutral attitude of neither actively assisting nor actively hindering any such French or joint Franco/German plan.
The two Ministers agreed that they were not in favour of the French plans as reported to them but that it would in present circumstances be impolitic to oppose them too definitely, since to do so might arouse nationalist feelings and create political difficulties.
The Ministers also agreed that it would be difficult for either of their two Governments to associate themselves at all closely with these plans, both for reasons of policy and of security.
Finally it was agreed that in present conditions the best course would be for both Governments to adopt a very cautious policy with regard to these plans and to do very little by way of encouraging or assisting. It was further agreed that the two Governments would keep in close touch with each other on this matter through the diplomatic channel.
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 868. Top Secret. This paper embodies conclusions reached during discussions between Secretary Dulles and Foreign Secretary Lloyd on March 23 at 11:15 a.m. The memorandum of conversation [9½ pages of source text] was not declassified.↩