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

330. Record of Telephone Conversation Between Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles¹

May 17, 1958, 5:15 p.m.

The Sec. said we had certain complications on the reply to Khrushchev about the experts to be set up to detect testing. The British say, and he is inclined to agree with them, that if we set this up as British, French and the USSR, this will be picked up in France and used by a lot of people there, saying the French were being pushed around, etc. Sec. said you could go back to bilaterals but pick our experts from whatever country, including UK and France, or you could say that in view of the fact that the UK has made explosions and in view of the fact France is advanced in this field, we think France should be included. Sec. said he had tried to get hold of Dr. Killian in connection with the practical problem of getting experts of other countries. Killian said it would be a lot together but it would be bearable. The Sec. said he had not yet been able to get in touch with Strauss.

The Sec. said he would see the British Ambassador at 4:30 on Sunday to give him his reaction. By that time the Sec. should be able to get in touch with Strauss.

The Sec. said when we had the German problem the Germans did not demand to be there but wanted to be consulted. Sec. thinks the British and French would expect to be consulted. It was far simpler to discuss on a bilateral basis. He thought the Soviets would probably press it on that basis. Then we would be faced with the alternative of doing it bilaterally or break. Sec. said he didn’t think the Soviets would accept a lineup of the US, UK and France against the USSR. Sec. thinks they would accept a lineup which says in effect the US and the USSR will pick their experts wherever they choose. We could pick French, Belgians, Japanese. Sec. said he thought there would be no problem of our being chairman of the group.

The Sec. said he would have drafted some formula on this subject and would see the President after church on Sunday. In the meantime the President could be turning this over in his mind.

1. Source: Question of including the U.K. and France in U.S.-Soviet discussions on detecting testing. No classification marking. 2 pp. Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations.