Office of the Historian

559. Memorandum of Conversation1

US/MC/50
Washington, April 14, 1960, 2:15 p.m.
[Facsimile Page 1]

SUBJECT

  • Problem of Nuclear Test Suspension

PARTICIPANTS

  • Howard C. Green, Secretary of State for External Affairs, Canada
  • Norman A. Robertson, Under Secretary of State for External Affairs
  • Arnold Heeney, Canadian Ambassador to U.S.
  • Christian A. Herter, Secretary of State
  • Livingston T. Merchant, Under Secretary for Political Affairs
  • Foy D. Kohler, Assistant Secretary, EUR
  • Ivan B. White, Deputy Assistant Secretary, EUR
  • Delmar R. Carlson, BNA

Mr. Robertson inquired as to whether the United States was looking beyond an agreement suspending nuclear tests by the three powers and considering the question of accession to the agreement by other powers. The Secretary replied that much work, including considerable detailed preparations, had been done regarding this problem.

The Secretary explained that even if agreement were obtained among the three powers and by any others, a considerable number of problems of implementation would have to be solved. He pointed out that an enormous, expensive, and complicated system would be required for a worldwide inspection network. Such a system, he said, would require, according to the scientists, 180 stations with about 30 persons located at each station, together with very sophisticated equipment. He observed, however, that if the Soviets were to accept a comprehensive system of that sort, 20 of the stations were to be in the Soviet Union and therefore Soviet acceptance would be a great step forward.

Regarding accession, the Secretary emphasized that we would strongly desire other powers to adhere to any agreement and to share in the responsibility for the maintenance of the system. He mentioned that the agreement would provide for signatories to the agreement to leave the system after two years if they concluded that it was not working. Mr. Green inquired as to whether the matter of accession had been discussed with the Soviets. The Secretary replied in the affirmative and [Typeset Page 2040] added that we had already drafted [Facsimile Page 2] some of the articles necessary to cover accession in an agreement.

In answer to a question by Mr. Robertson regarding China, the Secretary confirmed that there had been rumors that China might explode a nuclear device, but that we had no confirmation of this. The Secretary also mentioned the reported possibility of commercial firms in West Germany and the Netherlands being able to produce nuclear materials. Such a development would be particularly worrying because it indicated a proliferation of the most deadly knowledge.

  1. Source: Accession to nuclear test ban agreement, Chinese nuclear capability, commercial nuclear work in Europe. Secret. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199.↩