231. Editorial Note
During their meetings at Camp David, Chairman Khrushchev and President Eisenhower discussed arms limitations as follows:
“3. Arms Limitation:
“The problem of arms limitation was touched on only in general terms. Both the President and the Chairman agreed on the extravagant cost of the armaments race and the dangers inherent in it. They also agreed that arms limitation was the ‘most important problem’ in contemporary international relations. The President cited the establishment of the Coolidge Committee as indicative of the serious interest of the United States in the problem of disarmament.
“Secretary Herter and Foreign Minister Gromyko discussed disarmament in more detail. However, there was nothing tangible in the conversations [Page 777] to indicate any greater Soviet willingness to permit adequate inspection and controls.
“When queried regarding the possibility of a United Nations police force after general disarmament, Gromyko protested that it was illogical to disband armed forces and then reorganize them under the auspices of the UN.
“In discussing the suspension of nuclear testing, Gromyko stated that the issues of the number of inspections and the staffing of control posts were the only major considerations and termed other aspects of the test talks unimportant. He firmly reiterated Soviet positions. However, Khrushchev had indicated to Lodge on the trip that the question of staffing could be compromised.” (Memorandum by John A. Calhoun, Director of the Executive Secretariat; Department of State, S/AE Files: Lot 68 D 358,16.10)
Concerning the report of the Coolidge Committee to the National Security Council, see Document 236. The text of the Coolidge Committee Report on Disarmament, January 19, 1960, is in the Supplement.