Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volumes VII, VIII, IX, Arms Control; National Security Policy; Foreign Economic Policy, Microfiche Supplement

18. Telegram 5878 to Certain Diplomatic Missions, June 30¹

June 30, 1961, 8:55 p.m.

Paris pass TOPOL. Eleventh session McCloy-Zorin talks—June 30 p.m. Zorin gave lengthy recapitulation SOV position as it had been expressed in previous sessions, stressing again that best way to proceed would be to consider specific proposals on general and complete disarmament, that GCD is only way to remove danger war and that SOVs remain ready accept any controls US asked for if we accept SOV program for GCD. Zorin noted US position we would not proceed to consider specific plans without presence allies. SOVs were not trying substitute present exchange of views for future multilateral negotiations, but without rapprochement US–USSR views future negotiations would simply mark time. No other country will reproach us if we increase common ground on disarmament as result present talks. US June 19 proposal does not indicate that for US implementation of GCD is main task of future negotiations. Reference to “widest possible measures agreement” too vague. US seems reject concept of single treaty and is unprepared agree on specific time limits for individual stages and for whole program. If US ready accept time limits for specific measures why not add them up and set limit for whole program?

SOV fears US objective is to switch attention from GCD to isolated measures which will involve control over armaments. Re US proposals on forum, these do not represent “businesslike” approach. Zorin concluded however that exchange of views had been “not without use” in spite of fact US had failed to give clear answers to many key questions.

McCloy reiterated US purpose in present discussions and said our purpose when we reconvene in Moscow July 17 will be to continue to seek agreement on statement of task as well as on date and forum for resumed negotiations. Reaffirmed US readiness to enter into multilateral negotiations on substantive aspects of specific plans after July 31. US will not undertake discussion specific plans either here or in Moscow. US hopes that when sessions resume Moscow SOVs will agree to join in drafting statement of framework, since US believes it is possible to overcome present difficulties and reach agreement on statement of principles. McCloy reiterated however that US would be prepared to move to multilateral negotiations even if it is not possible to agree on principles. McCloy then turned to issue of “single treaty” which he felt was fundamental issue of principle, stating we had moved toward SOV position in June 19 statement. US is quite prepared to work out one treaty providing for total disarmament and development peace-keeping institutions which must accompany complete disarmament. However we do not want to abandon possibility implementing measures of disarmament as they are agreed without waiting for agreement on total program. Invited SOVs to agree on draft directive which would accord equal importance to both objectives: early implementation of measures which can be quickly agreed upon and a total treaty. US will not accept terms of reference which prejudice possibility early progress in disarmament and we continue hope SOVs will accept terms of reference which explicitly allow for possibility implementing less than total disarmament while efforts toward comprehensive agreement continue. McCloy concluded with three questions:

1) Do SOVs agree or disagree that future negotiations can work out initial measures as well as full treaty and that these initial measures could be put into effect even before total program agreed;

2) Is USSR prepared incorporate in agreed statement of task language which will include possibility reaching agreement on full disarmament as well as on early implementation of less than full disarmament while work is proceeding on total treaty;

3) If not, is USSR prepared resume multilateral negotiations whether or not we can agree on this principle.

Zorin concluded by replying McCloy questions as follows:

1) SOVs do not exclude possibility achieving agreement on some separate measures which will be helpful reduction tensions, danger of war, citing Irish and African proposals at last GA as examples. However these could not be substitute for work on treaty for GCD or be allowed divert attention from this main task;

2) SOVs referred to formulation in Indian resolution of November 15, 1960, stating that if US prepared to work on both full treaty and initial measures without prejudice to former, perhaps we could find common ground in pertinent language contained in Indian resolution which could create basis for agreement; wondered whether US could accept that language or perhaps whole resolution;

3) Unless we can reach agreement on statement of task it would be senseless to convene multilateral negotiations. No purpose in moving to broader forum if US and USSR could not agree on main questions.

Meetings recessed until July 17 Moscow.

Rusk

1. Readout of eleventh session McCloy–Zorin talks. Confidential. 5 pp. Department of State, Central Files, 600.0012/6–3061.