569. Letter From Lloyd to Herter1
I am concerned at the way in which the negotiations in the Nuclear Tests Conference have been stagnating recently. The immediate reason is the Russian attitude towards seismic research. But while we must press them on this I think it is important, if we are to maintain the momentum of the Conference and our public position, that we should take what opportunities are open on other questions. When we had our useful discussion on June 1 during my visit to Washington, I understood that, despite what had happened in Paris, United States policy in these negotiations was to press ahead as fast as the changed circumstances allowed.
To make progress in the negotiations, we shall sooner or later have to tackle the major issues which we had hoped to solve during the Summit. These were the size of the quota, the composition of the Control Commission, and the length of the moratorium. Time is getting on, and I wonder if you are yet able to give me any indication [Facsimile Page 2] as to how you propose we should handle these issues at Geneva. Unless we take some initiative soon, there seems to be a risk of a deadlock developing in which neither side will speak first. Indeed, Tsarapkin has just dropped a hint that he will not discuss the various texts we have tabled until the West has come out with some proposal on the length of the moratorium and the composition of the Control Commission. Now that the Conference discussions are a matter of public record it might be difficult [Typeset Page 2084] effectively to charge the Russians with deliberate procrastination so long as it is open to them to argue that we have held back on key issues.
I am sure that you have also been giving thought to the situation that has developed and will, as I am, be concerned with the need not only to keep the negotiations moving but to maintain a good public position vis-a-vis the Russians on the broad issues of the Conference. It would be very helpful to me to have an indication of how you think we ought now to proceed.
Yours ever,
- Source: Status of U.S. positions at test ban negotiations. Secret. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204, U.K. Officials Correspondence with Secretary Herter.↩