Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western European Integration and Security, Canada, Volume VII, Part 1

20. Letter From Director General of the International Atomic Energy Commission Cole to President Eisenhower⁰

Vienna, May 15, 1958.

Dear Mr. President: Because of my status as an international servant, it is with some hesitancy that I write you directly in this fashion rather than through the Secretary of State.

The part you played in the creation of this Agency and your deep personal interest in its success, I feel, justifies writing you in this direct manner, irrespective of protocol, because of the importance of a matter currently under consideration by American authorities and soon for your decision.

In the proposed Agreement for Co-operation between the United States and the EURATOM countries, it is planned that the “safeguard” aspects of the projects will be done by the EURATOM countries based on the principle of “self-inspection.” Such a step, I think, would have serious consequences on the effectiveness of the Agency and strongly urge that the safeguards or accountability aspects of EURATOM be assigned to the Agency.

This would have the following advantages:

1. Disprove conclusively the suspicion now entertained by many Eastern countries that EURATOM is for other than for peaceful purposes;

2. Demonstrate to all countries—large and small—that the major powers do not fear international control and inspection, and thereby set an example for other countries;

3. Eliminate the future embarrassment to the United States of denying the right of self-inspection to other similar regional groups;

4. Prevent the possible development of a fourth atomic power (European Community) of even greater strength than any other single power;

5. Effectuate a major step toward the goal of IAEA in eventual ownership and control of all fissionable material in the world;

6. Effectuate a major step toward the goal of IAEA to insure that all nuclear material in the world be devoted exclusively to peaceful uses; and

7. Confirm the declared position of the United States with respect to the need for international action to exploit atoms for peace.

I have already written to Admiral Strauss¹ expressing my great concern and I have the greatest confidence in the soundness of his judgment I write to you in this fashion only to demonstrate how strongly I feel that this matter should be resolved without harm to the Agency’s future. Otherwise, the Agency like any newborn creature is growing slowly, but I think soundly, and I am confident that the years to come will mould it as your greatest monument. I am happy and proud to be one of the many masons in this work.²

With personal greetings.

Sincerely yours,

Stub Cole

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, White House Central Files. Personal and Confidential.
1. See the source note, Document 22.
2. In a May 22 letter to Cole, President Eisenhower acknowledged receipt of Cole’s letter and wrote: “I shall have inquiries made concerning the points you raise and either I, or one of my staff members, will be in touch with you as soon as possible concerning the whole matter.” (Eisenhower Library, White House Central Files)