Office of the Historian

Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 212: Telegram

No. 468
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at Berlin

top secret
niact
Washington, February 12, 1954—11 a.m.

Tedul 44. Eyes only for Secretary. Reference: Dulte 64.1 The EdenAide-Mémoire2 is wrong on several counts.

1.
Prior to submitting the proposals to Soviets, the general lines thereof should be concurred in by the U.K., Canada and France. They should also be given to Belgium, Australia, and South Africa, not for concurrence but for information.
2.
No decision has yet been taken as to who should participate in the negotiations with the Soviets after the proposals have been presented to them. The preference indicated thus far is that these negotiations should remain, at least initially, solely between the U.S. and the USSR. Whether others should be brought in later will depend on the way the negotiations go and in part on Soviet desires on this point.
3.
As regards discussions concerning the Soviet counter proposal to ban the use of atomic weapons, our view thus far has been that these should be conducted also in diplomatic channels in Washington, at least initially, and that they too should be on a bilateral basis with the U.S. keeping in close touch with the U.K., Canada and France.
4.
There has thus far been no decision taken as to when or whether discussions on the Soviet counter proposal should be transferred to the United Nations disarmament commission.
[Page 1074]

It seems plain that Eden is trying to force decisions on which we have not yet made up our minds. It would seem highly desirable to stress to him that some of these decisions can best be taken only after we see how the initial substantive talks with the Soviets proceed.

It is expected that the statement designed to be given the Soviets will be fully cleared in the Executive Branch by the end of the week and consultations with the British, Canadians, and the French can begin early next week. Would very much appreciate, therefore, knowing whether the line-up of countries in sub-paragraph 1 above is agreeable to you.

Smith
  1. Document 455.↩
  2. Transmitted in Dulte 64.↩