Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Western European Security and Integration, Volume IV

114. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Barbour) to the Secretary of State¹

Washington, July 26, 1955.

SUBJECT

• Suggested Discussion with Admiral Strauss of AEC

You will recall that on July 5, you authorized discussion with AEC of the problems involved in U.S. cooperation with a European Atomic Pool along Schuman Plan lines (Tab A).² We have been pursuing this matter with AEC at the working level. Although from this initial exploration substantial cooperation with European pool appears possible, several security and atomic-energy policy questions remain to be resolved. An AEC legal opinion on this subject is incorporated in the telegram attached as Tab B.³

Meanwhile Admiral Strauss will be leaving soon for Geneva to attend the International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (August 8–20). It is likely that, outside the scope of the Conference itself, his views will be sought by representatives of various European countries on proposals to create a European Atomic Pool. Since any expression of U.S. views on proposals for integration in peaceful atomic development could have a substantial impact on the course of events in this present formative stage, it is recommended that you arrange to talk with Admiral Strauss before his departure from Washington (July 28, 10:00 p.m.) in order to point up to him the political importance of this problem to the future of European integration. We believe that Admiral Strauss would welcome receiving such guidance from you at this time.

In talking to Admiral Strauss, you may wish to make the following points:

1. The U.S. Government is pursuing a policy of fostering and supporting the movement toward political federation and economic integration of Western Europe. This policy has received strong support from Congress. The movement towards European unity has potential political, economic, and military benefits for Europe and the free world.

2. In the European Coal and Steel Community, six nations have taken an important step towards integration in the transfer of certain of their national governmental powers to new European federal institutions. Further steps in this direction were checked by the defeat of the EDC.

3. The most hopeful avenue for relaunching the movement towards European integration now appears to be the creation of a European common authority, along Schuman Plan lines, to be responsible for the development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

4. Because of U.S. predominance in the atomic field, the U.S. attitude towards proposals for an atomic energy pool and the possibility of U.S. cooperation with it could have a major influence on the European decision concerning the pattern of peaceful atomic development: i.e. whether to proceed on an integrated or on a predominantly national basis.

5. While the U.S. would have to reserve final judgment until we see what the Europeans are prepared to propose, from the point of view of our foreign policy a European decision to create a real common atomic authority along Schuman Plan lines would be in the U.S. interest. Such a decision would contribute strongly to the U.S. objective of European unity.

Recommendation:

That you talk with Admiral Strauss, confirming for him the political importance of European proposals for integration in the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy.⁴

1. Source: Department of State, RA Files: Lot 58 D 374, Atomic Energy Integration. Secret. Drafted by Boochever and cleared with Palmer and Gerard Smith.
2. See Document 108.

3. Reference is to Tosec 48 to Geneva, July 21. It reads as follows:

   “AEC legal opinion cooperation involving transfer fissionable material or classified information with group of nations permissible under Section 124 of 1954 Act provided that there exists a treaty or Act of Congress followed by Agreement for Cooperation under Section 123 of Act.

   “AEC advises problems involved such cooperation are considerable. Problems of security and technical feasibility suggest any proposal such cooperation be thoroughly evaluated before any action taken.

   “Department believes however substantial cooperation possible within above limitations and cautions.” (Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/72055)

4. Dulles spoke with Strauss at 4:30 p.m., July 28. A memorandum of that conversation, drafted by Dulles, reads in part as follows:

   “I referred to the proposed suggested atomic activities of the Coal and Steel Community. I said that it was the policy of the United States to give backing to the Community and to all proper enlargements of its functions as a supernational agency for the member nations. Therefore, as a matter of broad policy, I would like to see us help it in any reasonable arrangements to take peaceful atomic developments as one of its purposes. However, I was not able to judge the technical value of what it planned. This would have to be judged by Admiral Strauss. My purpose was merely to give him the State Department policy background against which we hoped he would operate.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Memoranda of Conversation)