FOREIGN RELATIONS, I1950, VOLUME I


  I said I wished to be quite sure I understood what he meant by
"political caalysis". He replied that he had in mind our discussing
with
him as frankly as possible our present thinking on such questions as
the following: Were we convinced that no basis existed for opening up
discussions with the Soviet Union and that no substantial modifica-
tions could be considered in the majority plan? What importance did
we attach to the present public agitation? What did we consider the
essential principles to which any effective plan must conform? Did
we have any views as to procedures and next steps ?
   Chauvel thought it would be very valuable for the Sponsoring
 Powers (other than Soviet Union) to meet as soon as convenient to
 discuss these matters. He said he feared that there was not at the
 present moment "a sufficiently profound understanding" on the
part
 of himself (he started to say "my government") as to the indispensable
 conditions of a control plan. He referred again to his lack of under-
 standing concerning the working of the stages formula.
   Chauvel concluded by saying he did not see much value in the sug-
 gestion of Senator McMahon that the Council of the Atlantic Pact
 discuss atomic energy controls at a meeting this spring.7 However, if
 there were to be a meeting of the Council anyway, it would be con-
 venient for the Foreign Ministers of US, UK, France and Canada to
 talk over the problem.
   In this connection, Chauvel again mentioned Churchill's suggestion
 for Three Power talks. Chauvel referred to the position Bidault took
 at the time of the Potsdam Conference,8 saying that Bidault would
 be consistent and object to discussions with the Soviet in which France
 did not participate. In any event, Chauvel hoped it would-be possible
 for him to learn more concerning our thinking very soon, either in
 New York or in Washington. He was anxious to see me again when I
 returned from Washington.,
    I said I was certain a great deal of thought was being given to the
  whole problem in Washington. I said I was equally sure the Depart-
  ment would be completely frank in clarifying its views concerning any
  questions the French Government might wish to raise on this matter.

    7 In a Senate speech of March 1, Senator McMahon suggested a conference
of
  Atlantic Pact nations to draft a new Western position, on control of atomic
  energy. The new proposals would be presented to a special session of the
United
  Nations General Assembly in Moscow.
    8Bidault was French Foreign Minister at the time of the Potsdam Conference
  (July 1945), in which France.was not invited to participate. For documentation
  on the conference, -including information on the French position with*
respect
  to it, see Foreign Relations, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Con-
  ference), 1945, two volumes (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1960).


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