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

472. Memorandum From Irwin to Herter¹

Geneva, June 8, 1959

SUBJECT

• Mr. Wilcox’s Memorandum of June 1, 1959,
• Subject: Resumption of General Disarmament Talks

Mr. Wilcox’s memorandum raises several points of interest to the Defense Department. In discussing possible negotiations within the enlarged UN Disarmament Commission, he speaks of the possibility of establishing “various sub-groups on certain aspects of our original package and, in particular, surprise attack”. Again referring to the possibility of talks outside the framework of the UN, he suggests that “talks on, for example, surprise attack, could be undertaken in a political framework rather than the past technical approach”.

As you know, the Defense Department has opposed separating specific disarmament subjects out from the original 1957 Disarmament Package. Certain subjects, such as, Tests Suspension, Surprise Attack, Outer Space, have been discussed apart from general disarmament negotiations. The Defense Department hopes no other topics will be separated out from the 1957 Package unless the proposed State-Defense Disarmament Policy Review should determine that such could safely be undertaken. With respect to surprise attack, the Defense Department has no objection to a renewal of the technical discussions that were suspended but would be concerned over separate policy talks on surprise attack.

With respect to the forum for general disarmament negotiations, the present enlarged UN Disarmament Commission, composed of 32 members, seems most unwieldy. While we concur in the value of holding general disarmament talks under the aegis of the UN, we would be concerned that talks in the large Disarmament Commission might result in the establishment of a sub-group, whose members, other than certain NATO nations and the Soviet group, would be incompetent to deal with this complex subject and whose participation might be disadvantageous to us. If it were possible to ensure satisfactory composition of sub-groups, our concern would be largely met.

John N. Irwin, II

Copies:

Secretary McElroy

Mr. Merchant

Amb. Thompson

Mr. Becker

Mr. Berding

Mr. Reinhardt

Mr. Smith

Mr. Wilcox

Mr. Sullivan

Adm. Dudley

1. Source: Department of Defense reservations on resumption of general disarmament talks. Confidential. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, IO Files: Lot 61 D 91, Disarmament.