336. Telegram 8917 to London1
8917. You should deliver soonest following reply from Secretary to Prime Minister’s letter of June 11 (pouched Embassy yesterday):
Dear Harold:
VERBATIM TEXT. June 13. Dear Harold:
Your letter of June 11 raises two points which came up in our discussions in Washington with respect to the nuclear test problem.
On the first, the possible variants in types of explosions which we might agree should be excepted from a suspension of nuclear tests, I agreed that this is one of the questions which should be thoroughly considered in working out our ultimate policy on nuclear test suspension. We hope to be able to approach you shortly on this as well as other disarmament matters, and the question you mention should be one of those discussed. My own view is that we should not reach decisions about this matter before the Geneva technical talks. The information developed there will probably allow us to take a closer look at this problem in the light of the Soviet [Facsimile Page 2] attitude and in particular the degree of inspection they appear to be willing to accept. It may turn out to be necessary to approach the problem of test suspension in stages as you have proposed.
With respect to the second point, the need to approach the Geneva talks in an exclusively scientific spirit, we are in full agreement. Our respective experts have held preliminary discussions here in Washington and I understand there is a gratifying measure of agreement between us on the approach to be taken. Faithfully yours, Foster. END VERBATIM TEXT
- Source: Transmits Dulles’ reply to Macmillan letter. Secret; Limited Distribution. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, Central Files, 700.5611/6–358.↩