338. Editorial Note
On July 15, 1963, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Harriman and Viscount Quinton Hailsham, British representative to the test ban treaty negotiations, met with Chairman Khrushchev in Moscow. In telegram 151 to the Department of State, July 15, Harriman reported that “Khrushchev stated that he would not permit any inspection in connection with the test ban, and withdrew the two or three inspections which he had previously proposed.” Harriman continued: “since there was obviously no use arguing point, Hailsham and I recorded that both our governments would prefer comprehensive test ban but that we would be prepared to agree to test ban in three environments without inspection, as a first step towards the comprehensive agreement.” Khrushchev suggested a series of other steps, such as “freezing of military budgets at 1963 levels” and an “agreement on level of armed forces now located in the FRG andGDR.” Khrushchev then agreed that France could be dropped from the Soviet draft of the test ban treaty as an original signatory after Harriman accepted his contention that it was important for France to join after the treaty had been concluded. Khrushchev did not press Harriman on a non-aggression pact. Harriman concluded: “It seems quite clear to me that Khrushchev is ready to go ahead with three environment test ban without NAP.” For text, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume VII, pages 799–801.
In telegram 195 to the Department, July 18, Harriman reported that he was “beginning to piece together a logical theory on why Khrushchev is interested in test ban at this time. Obviously, his first preoccupation is his battle with ChiComs and particularly effect on Soviet leadership of international Communist movement. Khrushchev wants to use the test ban treaty in this connection. Since he is unable to get the ChiComs to agree to join the test ban, he will attempt to isolate them. He will attempt to get the maximum number of nations to adhere to test ban treaty, thus leaving China isolated if possible as the only nation refusing to cooperate on this highly emotional subject to underdeveloped nations.” For text, see ibid., pages 808–809.
The limited test ban treaty was initialed on July 25 and signed in Moscow on August 5. For further information on the negotiations, see ibid., pages 801–856. For text of the treaty and the tripartite communiqué issued on July 25 at the conclusion of the negotiations, see Department of State Bulletin, August 12, 1963, pages 239-240. The treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate on September 24; instruments of ratification were exchanged and the treaty entered into force on October 10.