Pages 73-75 from FO 371 110691 - Atomic Energy
Description
The document is a letter from the Department of Atomic Energy (Secretariat) dated January 16, 1954. It discusses an enclosed copy of Washington telegram No. 11, which outlines the American tentative suggestions for implementing the Eisenhower plan. The main points covered in the letter are as follows:
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The letter requests additional comments on the American proposals once the UK's own suggestions have been authorized by Ministers and can be put forward to the State Department. It is hoped that this can be done early the following week.
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Preliminary comments on the Washington telegram are provided paragraph by paragraph. There is agreement with the idea of specialized aid (paragraph 2) and a preference for two degrees of membership for contributors and recipients (paragraph 3). Concerning the governing body, there is no consideration given to supplies of heavy water, graphite, and materials other than uranium and fissile materials (paragraph 4).
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The ambiguity in the third and fourth lines of paragraph 5, which fails to distinguish between relative quantities of natural uranium and fissile material, is noted. The suggestion is made to measure the quantity of fissile material equivalent to one or two hundred tons of uranium in kilograms rather than tons.
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The exclusion of isotope supply is mentioned, and it is questioned whether it is necessary to make a separate point on this issue in the telegram. The opinion is expressed that research on isotopes should not be closely pursued as it is already covered by national projects.
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Concerning paragraph 6, there is agreement that the participation or non-participation of the Russians is significant, and the suggestion is made to convey this to the Americans. Reference is made to the Prime Minister's remark that "there is no future in this without Russian participation."
The letter is addressed to "Peck" and is copied to Sir George Young. It requests urgent comments on the telegram and mentions the possibility of convening a working party meeting on Monday to discuss the issue further.