Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 380
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Delegation at the Nine-Power Conference, at Paris1
priority
Tosec 3. British Embassy representative under instruction today informed Department following re atomic energy limitations:
Adenauer told Kirkpatrick at London, in response suggestion nuclear fuel limitation be raised to 1, 000 grams he could not accept specific quantitative limitation because his experts not present but willing agree limit German production nuclear fuel for five years to reasonable amount. British followed this up in Bonn with Hallstein and Germans agreed as result Eden could say in Parliament (today) if questioned Adenauer had agreed limit production nuclear fuel to amount to be worked out by experts not in excess requirements for normal peaceful use.
In view above British intend raise matter Paris with view to agreement that appropriate limitation nuclear fuel production will be worked out by experts at later date. Embassy has received no indication British Government has any particular scheme or framework in mind and believes question open whether limitation to be accomplished in purely German or Brussels organization or some other contexts.
British Embassy Paris instructed similarly inform French.
While we regret emergence this last minute problem recommend Secretary support British general approach to problem and agree to appropriate US participation in experts exercise.
FYI problem is rather more complex than appears from British report and we believe exercise will probably develop into finding [Page 1401] solution problem reporting on and justifying production nuclear fuel as result non-military activities plus problem disposing of quantities nuclear fuel excess to non-weapon needs produced incidental to peaceful atomic activities. US interest these problems is wider than US interest what is done in Germany and it may be possible find means serving our interests continental Europe.
Necessity further study here and difficulty negotiating this problem during crowded Paris schedule make British proposal, in which Germans have apparently concurred, most acceptable presently practicable means agreeing on limitation nuclear fuel production although appreciate French might make firm agreement experts condition precedent to ratification. We believe “appropriate limitation” may turn out to be provisions to deal with problems discussed previous paragraph rather than any quantitative limit.
Defense informed. If they have further comments will send soon as possible.2