33. Memorandum From the Ambassador to the Soviet Union (Thompson) to Secretary of State Rusk0

SUBJECT

  • Handling of Nuclear Test Problems

I believe we should immediately initiate consultations with the British, and possibly the French, with a view to renewing formally in the Geneva Test Ban Conference our proposal for a ban on atmospheric and under-sea tests.1 I suggest our original proposal be modified to provide for the absolute minimum of control posts we consider necessary. I should think one on the Chinese border and one other would suffice. The Soviets would doubtless again raise the question of under-ground tests and we should state that we have no present plans for testing but will be guided by what we consider to be the security interests of the United States and that we no longer feel obliged to give notification of test resumption. This would put the Soviets in a position of turning down a reasonable proposal to prevent pollution of the atmosphere and if they did resume testing in the atmosphere the onus would fall on them and they could have the pleasure of dealing with organized demonstrations in Britain and elsewhere. If we do resume testing ourselves, I suggest that even if the tests are generally known we do not either deny or admit them but stick completely to the “no comment” position.

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As a prelude to taking this position, we should state in the Geneva Conference that we can neither accept “Troika” nor an indefinite prolongation of the moratorium which we cannot control. There is the slight possibility that the Soviets would actually accept a ban on atmospheric and under-sea tests.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 397.5611-GE/6-861. Secret. Sent through Kohler who initialed, and a copy was sent to McCloy. Thompson was in Washington for consultations.
  2. The first in this series of proposals is contained in President Eisenhower’s letter to Khrushchev, April 13, 1959; for text, see Documents on Disarmament, 1945-1959, vol. II, pp. 1392-1393.