Office of the Historian

462. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1

New York, November 4, 1959—8 p.m.

Delga 326. Re: Outer Space.

1.
Lodge spoke this afternoon with Kuznetsov and Sobolev (USSR) and gave them draft resolution for their comments.2
2.
After reading text Kuznetsov noted that idea of accepting report of ad hoc committee as well as expression of appreciation to committee for its work was problem for USSR. Any reference dealing with previous committee created difficulties for USSR. For this reason he wondered whether it might not be better to have separate resolutions, one dealing with previous committee and other with any new body and its terms of reference.
3.
Kuznetsov pressed us for US views on composition. Lodge said we were entirely satisfied with composition on present committee. Sobolev jokingly said it was “good composition but one-sided”. Lodge immediately pointed out we had no satellites on whose votes we could count at all times. Lodge repeated that we liked present composition but were not unwilling to consider other possibilities; otherwise we would not be entering into negotiations. Kuznetsov recalled Soviet proposal of last year on composition and also noted that new 10-nation disarmament group and composition of conference on surprise attack, both of which involved parity, were satisfactory to US. Sobolev added that USSR liked this principle. Lodge recalled that last year USSR had objected to certain states, such as Brazil, Australia, and Belgium. Kuznetsov brushed this point aside. However, after Lodge recalled that USSR had been opposed to inclusion of countries with which it did not have diplomatic relations, Sobolev volunteered that this was only one consideration and noted problem had now been resolved with respect Australia. Kuznetsov thought it was difficult to discuss specific countries and preferable to exchange views on basis of principles.
4.
Kuznetsov questioned wisdom of operative paragraph 4. He thought it was not proper time to organize or set up other bodies to deal with outer space or to go into details such as would be involved in creation of small unit in Secretariat. It was better to concentrate on committee. Other ideas should be considered later after more fundamental points were resolved.
5.
Kuznetsov specifically requested US views on possibility of separate resolutions on present committee and on future arrangements. Lodge said personally he did not think was unreasonable suggestion but would have to refer it to Washington for instructions.
6.
Kuznetsov recalled reference in his general debate speech to international scientific conference and gave us draft resolution (transmitted by separate telegram3) covering Soviet proposal. Lodge said we were favorably disposed toward idea of international conference and would study resolution. However, he wondered whether this idea needed to be dealt with separately since it could be included in overall [Page 895] resolution. Kuznetsov thought separate resolution definitely preferable. (Department will note advisory committee in Soviet text reflects parity.)
7.
We agreed meet again after USSR has had opportunity to study our text and we have received instructions on Soviet points.
8.
Department’s comments and instructions requested. We are planning to inform members on outer space group of this conversation tomorrow and will report their reactions.
Lodge
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320.5701/11–459. Confidential.↩
  2. In a series of meetings during October, the United States discussed its draft resolution (see attachment to Document 460) with other members of the ad hoc committee. The draft given to Kuznetsov was the same in form as the original U.S. draft but contained several wording changes. (Delga 340, November 5; ibid., 320, 5701/11–559) Reports on the meetings with the members of the committee are ibid., 320.5701/10–659 through 320.5701/10–3059.↩
  3. Text of this draft was transmitted in Delga 327 from USUN, November 4. (Ibid., 320.7501/11–459)↩