Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume III, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Microfiche Supplement

294. Press Release¹

Washington, February 27, 1958

The Secretary of State has, with the approval of the President, designated Ambassador James J. Wadsworth to act, under the Secretary’s direction, as United States representative in future negotiations for an agreement on the limitation of armament. He will also participate in the preparation of positions which the United States will support in disarmament negotiations. Ambassador Wadsworth will, at least for the time being, retain his position as Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations.

In addition, the Secretary of State, with the approval of the President, has asked certain qualified private citizens to advise and consult with him informally, from time to time, on the broad policies which should govern the United States in seeking limitation of armament. Alfred M. Gruenther, Robert A. Lovett, John J. McCloy, and Walter Bedell Smith have accepted to serve in this way.

The United States continues to consider it urgent that an international agreement be sought and reached which will effectively limit armaments. The Government of the Soviet Union has since last August, refused to discuss the constructive proposals advanced by the United States, United Kingdom, France and Canada, or to participate in the work of the subcommittee of the United Nations Disarmament Commission. It has also announced that it would not participate in any proceedings of the Disarmament Commission as reconstituted by the recent session of the United Nations General Assembly. It has reacted negatively to the statement by the NATO Heads of Government that they would welcome a meeting at the Foreign Ministers’ level to resolve the deadlock.

The United States believes that limitation of armament is so imperative a goal that efforts to reach it should not be interrupted by such procedural obstacles as the Soviet Government has put in the path. We are striving, and will continue to strive, to overcome these procedural difficulties and to find a way to go forward to lift from the shoulders of mankind the dangerous and growing burden of vast and ever more destructive armaments.

1. Source: Wadsworth appointment as disarmament negotiator; advisory panel. No classification marking. 2 pp. Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations.