REGULATION1 OF ARMAMENTS


  330.12/1-2550: Telegram
      The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the
                           United Nations
  CONFIDENTIAL     PRIORITY     WASHINGTON, March 23,1950-ilp. m.
    123. Reurtel 74, Jan 25 on conventional armaments. Your discus-
 sion on Item 3 of CCA Plan of Work shld be conducted on basis prin-
 ciples outlined in approved US position paper contained in RAC
 D-18/2e,1 which substitutes earlier statement submitted by Dep US
 Rep on CCA in Sept 1947. Additional study required of paper such as
 RAC D-18/7 2 which wld elaborate principles contained in RAC
 D-18/2e about which you will be kept advised.
   Since resumption of CCA will mean another Soy walkout it is sug-
 gested there be close coordination 'with friendly Dels represented on
 CCA. You already have instrs Chi representation question. In con-
 nection consultations with friendly Dels fol are among reasons why
 resumption CCA's activities desirable despite Soy absence:
   1. Under normal conditions CCA shld .already have met and re-
 sumption discussions rwld simply be taking normal step. CCA's plan-
 ning activities support business as usual theme.
   2. Since CCA fctions are iplanning in nature, ground covered in
 absence Soy old be reviewed upon their return. This fact shld be made
 clear both to friendly Dels and in CCA :itself. Temporary .absence
 Soy wld launch Item 3 discussions without anticipated Soy obstruc-
 tionism and so set stage to deal with what is likely to be Soy position,
 viz., thlat it is illogical consider Item 3 before considering Item 4
 and that such consideration is device for delaying genuine disarma-
 ment including atomic weapons as well as conventional armaments.
 Nature of CCA's activities in absence of Soy participation shld be
 made clear with friendly Dels as well as 'in CCA to avoid impression
 that something is being put over on Soy and to dispel reluctance which
 might -develop in various quarters to any discussion of problem of
 regulation and reduction conventional armaments and armed forces
 solution of which will ultimately require Soy participation.
 3. Consideration of Item 3 at this time rwld re-emphasize importance
 and necessity of effective system of safeguard in plans for regulation
 and reduction conventional armamen.ts and armed forces.
 Resumption of discussions by taking up Item ,3 wld also help in
 setting up liaison with new members of CCA and in coordinating
 thinking and energies of .friendly Dels.
 Your recommendation re modification US position of necessity for
 atomic energy control, Art 43 forces, and peace treaties with Germany
and Japan as conditions precedent to regulation of conventional arma-
ments under review.
                                                         ACHESON
  'Regarding this document, see footnote 2, p. 44.
  2 o printed.


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