Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XI, Arms Control and Disarmament

284. Telegram From the Department of State to All Posts¹

Washington, September 20, 1968, 0026Z.

241963. Disto/IAEA. Subject: Perpetuation of Non-Nuclear Conference (NNC).²

1. A primary concern at NNC is likelihood that resolution will be passed either calling for permanent machinery to carry on tasks of NNC or calling for periodic meetings—or both. In view of possible disruptive effects of continuing activity of the sort transpiring at NNC, we believe we should make every reasonable effort to forestall or water down proposals for NNC perpetuation.

2. Unless you see overriding objection, action addressees should approach FonOffs ASAP at most effective level to explain US position as follows. Subjects being discussed at NNC are matters which in one form or another already are being considered constructively in other bodies—security issues in GA; disarmament in ENDC, as well as in GA; peaceful uses in IAEA, General Conference and Atoms for Peace Conference. These bodies will continue to consider and have responsibility for these questions regardless of what the NNC may accomplish. In some cases, such as in GA, such consideration will begin promptly after NNC concludes. It would be relatively meaningless for NNC to carry over what some may consider unfinished business to a later session, since in the meantime these subjects will be actively dealt with elsewhere. Moreover, fact that nuclear powers are not voting participants in NNC is in itself argument for conducting further discussions in existing forums where virtually all interested parties are represented, on equal basis.

3. In view above, you should state that USG does not plan participate in further meetings of bodies organized along lines NNC and cannot support fixing any date for future conferences of this sort. We would not be able to support establishment of any permanent machinery to carry on tasks of NNC because of existence of various organs and agencies charged with responsibility for matters under discussion of NNC. You should accordingly strongly urge that host Govt not support NNC perpetuation.

4. You may also say that one acceptable alternative to NNC perpetuation would be for NNC to recommend putting item on agenda of early GA session (e.g., 24th) which would provide opportunity to re-examine conclusions of NNC in light of progress made in interim by the responsible organs and agencies. You should emphasize we will continue our intensive efforts in these existing agencies and bodies for promotion peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to work towards disarmament objectives. We are convinced that existing organs and agencies provide most practical and realistic vehicle for concrete progress in these fields.

5. Addresses, in case of governments not attending NNC, may at their discretion make above demarche if it would favorably influence position host Govt at UNGA.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 18 UN. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by D.L. Aaron and A.F. Neidle (ACDA/IR) on September 19; cleared by officers in ACDA/IR, IO, EA/AA,EUR, NEA, AFI, ARA, and G/PM; and approved by Adrian Fisher. The telegram requested action from all posts except Algiers, Dar es Salaam, Cairo, Kabul, Khartoum, Lusaka, Saigon, London, Paris, Moscow, Warsaw, Prague, Sofia, and Bucharest.
2. See footnote 3, Document 263.