89. Telegram 15157 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
15157. Subject. TTBT/PNE Negotiations
1. This is report on private conversation of Stoessel, Morokhov, Timerbaev, Buchleim at lunch Monday, October 7.
2. Agreed that chairmanship will alternate between Stoessel and Morokhov, plenaries will be limited to two or three per week, agenda will be projected one meeting forward.
3. Morokhov and Timerbaev both devoted considerable time to subject of public releases on negotiations. First preference was that there be none. Acceptable alternatives are: (A) release stating that negotiations have begun on PNEs with primary reference to Article III of TTBT and clear explanation that specific attention will be paid to factors relevant to Article V of NPT, or (B) release stating that negotiations have begun on subject of PNEs without reference to any particular treaty. Stoessel stated that these views will be forwarded to Washington for consideration.
4. Soviet emphasis on Article V of NPT continued with lengthy remarks by Morokhov on importance of U.S.-Soviet understanding on active approach to making PNE services available to non-nuclear countries. Rationale was that nuclear proliferation needs to be deterred, the problem has been made harder by Indian action, and only way to serve the purpose of nonproliferation is to make PNEs aggressively available to deprive interested countries of grounds for proceeding independently.
5. Argument further made that U.S.-Soviet bilateral PNE agreement should provide for joint development of PNE technology for services to third countries. Morokhov did not elaborate on meaning of “joint development.”
6. Claim made that UK has expressed desire to be eligible for PNE services from U.S. and USSR.
7. In response to observation that NPT is multilateral treaty, Morokhov argued that nevertheless only two countries (U.S. and USSR) are [Page 303] able to provide PNE services. Therefore, need for U.S.–USSR bilateral understanding on PNE service arrangements.
8. Problem of LTBT mentioned in connection with schedule for IAEA meeting in January 1975 on technical topics. Timerbaev acknowledged without objection that U.S. has informed Soviets that our delegation for current talks would not be prepared to discuss radioactivity standards. Morokhov stressed importance of going through with bilateral talks in preparation for IAEA January meeting. He noted absence of U.S. reply to Soviet proposal that bilateral talks be held in November 1974.
9. Morokhov noted that U.S. PNE program is “frozen” while Soviet program is going forward. He stated the opinion that the U.S. would regret this in future and declared Soviet willingness to share PNE information and experience with us to help the U.S.
10. Near end of meeting Morokhov suggested that the best way to deal with the varied ramifications of PNEs (e.g., relation to TTBT, NPT, LTBT) would be to broaden the scope of negotiations and aim for a comprehensive agreement.
11. Stoessel reiterated that primary task at hand is to develop a basis for PNE agreement in implementation of TTBT Article III.
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Summary: The Embassy reported on a private conversation that took place between U.S. and Soviet officials at a luncheon during the first day of the TTBT/PNE talks in Moscow.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740284–1107. Secret; Immediate; Exdis.
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