ATOMIC ENERGY


Department of State Atomic Energy Files
The Secretary of State to the South African Ambassador (Jooste)

TOP SECRET
  The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Excellency
the Ambassador of the Union of South Africa and has the honor to
refer to their conversation of July 12, 1950 during the course of which
the Ambassador stated the desire of his Government to associate itself
closely with the United States and the United Kingdom in the field
of Atomic energy. The Government of the United States previously
had been made aware by the Government of the United Kingdom
of the interest of the Union of South Africa in being accorded a
special position in this field if it becomes an important supplier of
uranium,
  The Government of the United States wishes to reassure the Gov-
ernment of the Union of South Africa that its proposals will be given
sympathetic consideration in consultation with the Government of
the United Kingdom in the light of the principles underlying the
existing relationships amongst the United States, the United King-
dom and Canada in the field of atomic energy and other relevant
factors.
  The Government of the United States is prepared to discuss this
subject at a mutually agreed time and among such representatives as
may be designated by the three Governments concerned. In order to
provide a framework for expeditious discussion of the matter, it would
be most helpful if the Government of the Union of South Africa
would define in the near future what sort of cooperation in the field
of atomic energy it is interested in establishning with the United States
and the United Kingdom.
  Meanwhile, it is the earnest desire of the Government of the United
States that progress be made as rapidly as circumstances permit
toward understandings on technical and commercial matters relating
to a contract for uranium between the Combined Development Agency
and the South African Atomic Energy Board.
  WASHINGTON, August 24,1950.


Department of State Atomic Energy Files
The Executive Director of the Joint Congressional Committee on
  Atomic Energy (Borden) to Mr. R. Gordon Arneson, Special Assist-
  ant to the Under Secretary of State (Webb)

                               [WASHIINGTON,] September -, 1950.
  DEAn GORDON: As per our telephone conversation of today, I am
writing at the request of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy--to


571