REGULATION OF ARMAMENTS5


  to Moscow is one of the courses of action which.we have constantly
  been examining; I hope I can make clear to you why I have not felt
  that I could conscientiously recommend it to the President at this time.
    Should a representative oftlthe President undertake discussions with
  Soviet Government officials on the subject of atomic energy without
  reasonable assurance that the conversations could lead to an improve-
  ment in the present situation, and there has been no indication that
  such conditions now exist, the probability is that he could return from
  Moscow with no more than the meager report that the Soviet Govern-
  ment had listened politely and promised to consider his views. The
  effect of such' an outcome of the discussions on the morale of the
  peopleS of the world can easily be imagined. Of even graver import
  is the fact that such disillusionment would strengthen the hands of
  those Who see in a resort to arms the only solution of the dilemma
  which confronts us.
  We must also bear in mind the legitimate interest of other countries
  in the whole question of assuring world-peace. Bilateral conversations
  between the United States and Soviet Governments on multilateral
  issues could be expected to give rise to speculation and rumors leading
  to suspicion and mistrust and the possible disruption of the harmony
  and cooperation already attained through the peaceful means of the
  Rio Treaty, Atlantic Pact, Economic Recovery Program, and similar
  undertakings.
  Perhaps even more important is ,the relationship of the United
  Nations to this problem of controls. I am sure you will agree that no
  action should be undertaken by the Government, the effect of which
  would be to depreciate the authority and standing-of that organization.
  The-permanent members of the United Nations-Atomic Energy Com-
  mission were requested-by the General Assembly resolution to "con-
tinue their consultations, ,to explore all possible avenues and examine
all concrete suggestions with a view to determining whether they
might lead to an agreement securingthe basic objectives-of the General
Assembly in this question, and to keep the Atomic Energy Commission
and the General Assembly informed of their progress". Our repre-
sentatives have more than once expressed the readiness of the Unitdd
States Government to examine sincerely and earnestly any new pro-
posals which may be put forward in amendment of the plan of control
of atomic energy, approved by an overwhelming majority of the
General Assembly, in order to reach an effective agreement to control
atomic energy and to eliminate atomic weapons.
   I find it difficult to believe that the Soviet Government is not aware
.,of the potential danger of uncontrolled development of atomic energy.
Certainly every effort has been made by the President and spokesmen
for the Government to emphasize the seriousness of the problem and


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