464. Telegram Supnu 401 From Geneva1
Supnu 401. Paris for the Secretary. On basis Tsarapkin performance yesterday, it appears that Soviets will probably move quickly to reply to questions we have posed on basis Tsarapkin-Macmillan proposal and that their answers may be clear and to the point. They have already stated flatly that in context of quota agreement they are prepared to drop veto and requirement for commission decision on dispatch inspection teams. They have indicated that agreement on criteria which would qualify events for inspection will not present major problem. They have bought concept of permanent inspection teams. They will probably be prepared negotiate on composite inspection teams. They have opposed idea that quota should have relationship to number of unidentified events and have stated clearly that they thought size of quota was a political decision. They might, however, make point that in we feel so inclined there is nothing to prevent us from basing our “political” position on size of quota on “technical” factors of number of unidentified events and capabilities of system. In sum it begins to look as if Soviets will shortly demonstrate that they have really adopted Macmillan plan and will be in position to stress this in their propaganda. Accordingly we are quickly approaching point where we will have to decide what US position on Macmillan approach is to be.
[Facsimile Page 2]In considering Macmillan approach Department may wish give thought possibility of adding to quota suggestion provision for periodic revision quota number. In first two years of actual operation of treaty time taken to construct control posts and to bring them into operation will mean that there will be relatively few events in any case which would justify inspection under criteria as presently contained Annex I. For the first two years of treaty size of quota is therefore not of major practical importance. If there were provision for periodic review of quota number and agreement on annual quota for succeeding year, and if moreover this provision were so phrased as to provide basis for withdrawal from treaty if agreement not reached USDel believes Macmillan approach might be more palatable. In separate telegram USDel is sending illustrative draft of type of review provision which might be considered.
[Typeset Page 1658]If Washington decides that we should go along with Macmillan approach we will need to know what kind of initial quota would be acceptable. Recommend thinking on this point be urgently undertaken.
- Source: Soviets seem to adopt Macmillan quota proposals. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, Central Files, 700.5611/4–2959.↩