467. Telegram Supnu 433 From Geneva1
Supnu 433. Following is text memorandum worked out ad referendum at US–UK staff level after Gromyko-Herter-Lloyd meeting reported separately.
“The Foreign Ministers of the USSR, UK, and USA have exchanged views on the position reached in the Conf for the Discontinuance of Nuclear Weapons Tests. The three FonMins recognised that technical aspects of questions outstanding at the conf require further study. The three FonMins agreed that their technical representatives should meet in Geneva on June 1, 1959 to consider, in the light of the most recent scientific and technical information available:
- I.
- Recommendations for techniques for detecting nuclear explosions at altitudes above 50 kilometres and in outer space;
- II.
- Recommendations for improving methods of distinguishing between underground explosions and earthquakes;
- III.
- Recommendations for specific technical criteria which must be satisfied by data from the control system before an inspection can be undertaken.
The three FonMins agreed that their technical representatives should be requested to report to the Conf for the [Facsimile Page 2] Discontinuance of Nuclear Weapon Tests at the earliest possible date, and in any case to make an interim report to the Conf when it resumes its meetings on June 8 1959.”
Since USDel technical staff other than Northrup has left, request Dept comments on suggested terms of reference in time to allow transmittal above text to Sov Del tomorrow.
Above has not yet been seen by Secretary.
- Source: Transmits text of proposed communiqué on nuclear test ban. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, Central Files, 700.5611/5–1459.↩