ATOMIC ENERGY


                              B. ARA
1. Brazil
  The Brazilian Congress adjourned temporarily for te election
campaign without having acted on the three pending bills providing
for an embargo on the export of monazite with varying provisos for
Government sales. The Embassy has recommended that since it is
doubtful whether a quorum will reconvene before the new Congress
takes office in January, that the U.S. Government prepare to offer to
buy reasonable quantities of monazite to confirm our interest in
monazite which the Embassy has been emphasizing for the past two
years.
   The Department is supporting negotiations at Torquay 5 for a pos-
sible reduction in the import duty on thorium and cerium products
as requested by Brazil in view of -the Embassy's feeling that this will
further our efforts to obtain monazite from that country.
2. Argentina
   a. The Argentine Government has issued regulations authorizing
 I.A.P.I.6 as the sole selling agency for beryl. Finalization of a sale of
 beryl to an AEC contractor has been delayed because I.A.P.I. has not
 been able to acquire any beryl under the low prices it has offered pro-
 ducers ,and holders of beryl.
   b. A National Commission for Atomic Energy was established in
 June of this year.
 3. Chile
   The Department is awaiting receipt of the AEC staff report on
 the investigation of certain radioactive mineral areas in Chile con-
 ducted by a joint team of Chilean and American geologists in the
 spring of this year. It is intended that the report will be transmitted
 to the Chilean Government when available.
                               C. NEA
 1. Iran
    Samples furnished by the Iranian Government have been analyzed
  and show some radioactivity. Steps are being taken to acquire addi-
  tional data regarding the deposits through the Embassy, but the
  Embassy will be cautioned to play down the matter with the Iranian
  Prime Minister in order to avoid undue excitement regarding the
  presence of uranium in Iran.

  5For documentation on tariff negotiations which opened in Torquay, England,
  on September 28, pursuant to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade,
see
  pp. 692 ff.
    Argentine Trade Promotion Institute.


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