193. Telegram 233 from London, July 121
From Harriman. 1. Full US and UK teams met for one hour this morning. After some discussion of pace of business in Moscow during which Harriman made plain his desire to start as early as possible, group moved on to test ban treaty. It was agreed we should discuss comprehensive treaty with Soviets at least long enough to make plain it still our preferred goal. If Soviets are at all responsive we should [Typeset Page 532] arrange for technical discussion on issues of identification and need for and nature of inspection.
2. Next considered three environment treaty. (A) Hailsham raised number of questions on Aug. 27 treaty. (B) In particular, he commented on articles on peaceful uses and withdrawal on Harriman’s insistence that we present our already agreed text, Hailsham withdrew questions. It was recognized that Sovs might raise similar questions in which case we must be prepared to discuss them. After further discussion, Hailsham acknowledged that his instruction was to agree to whatever US and SU agreed on three element test ban.
3. Hailsham raised question of possible usefulness of upper threshold above which identification presumably easy. Harriman skeptical this approach, pointed out that only if Sovs raised unacceptable idea of moratorium was it desirable consider quota of underground tests. Hailsham again urged usefulness of identification threshold. It was agreed to explore this with UK on technical level. It was also agreed to work out draft paper on need for inspections and possibility of inspections without espionage, should it prove useful to hand to Soviets.
4. During course of discussion, Hailsham’s positions were erratic and subject to correction from staff.
5. Afternoon meeting also held; reported separately.
- Harriman’s discussions with Hailsham on negotiating tactics in Moscow. Secret. 1 p. Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 US/Harriman.↩