ATOMIC ENERGY


Department of State Atomic Energy Files1
Memorandum by Messrs. Adrian S. Fisher and R. Gordon Arneson 3
                      to the Secretary of State

TOP SECRET                         [WASHINGTON,] January 18, 1950.
Subject: Tripartite Atomic Energy Talks
  We are now at a point where we are unable to set down a firm
Administration position on our atomic energy relations with the
British and the Canadians without having a general discussion of the
main issues among yourself, the Secretary of Defense,4 and the Chair-
man of the Atomic Energy Commission. Furthermore, it would seem
to be unprofitable at this time to have any further informal discussion
with Sir Oliver Franks 5 until the three principals have had a chance
to touch base with each other.
  The position of the Atomic Energy Commission is that while a full
partnership with the British and the iCanadians would appear to be a
good thing, its primary justification lies in terms of the general fabric
of our relations with the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as in
terms of the military advantages with respect to which we must turn
to the Department of Defense for evaluation. To elaborate, the benefits
of combining the 'programs rather than running them as independent
programs, if stated solely in terms of increased explosive power ob-
tained by mixing British plutonium with United States uranium, is
extremely small-in the neighborhood of 1 percent. The real ad-
vantages to the production program must therefore be sought in terms
of the catalytic effect of introducing British scientific personnel with
their new ideas and fresh point of view into a program which might
otherwise become stale. While the AEC is prepared to give some quan-
titative description of the numbers of people involved and the nature
of their scientific attainment, any evaluation of the benefits achieved
from this sort of arrangement must of necessity be highly subjective.
  From the point of view of the Department of State, a mutually
satisfactory full partnership in the field of atomic energy is consonant
with our general relations with the British and the Canadians. An
effective partnership in this field would increase our collective

  Lot 57D688, a consolidated lot file in ithe Department of State containing
documentation on atomic energy policy, 1944-1962.
  'Legal Adviser, Department of State; General Counsel, U.S. Atomic Energy
Commission, 1948-1949.
  1 Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State, James E. Webb, for
atomic
energy policy. Arneson was the ranking officer of the Department devoting
exclusive attention 'to atomic energy matters. Although administratively
an
assistant to the Under Secretary, he frequently reported directly to Secretary
Acheson.
  'Louis A. Johnson.
  'The British Ambassador in .the United States.


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