Department of State Atomic Energy Files
The Secretary of State to the South African Ambassador ( Jooste )
The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Excellency the Ambassador of the Union of South Africa and has the honor to refer to their conversation of July 12, 1950 during the course of which the Ambassador stated the desire of his Government to associate itself closely with the United States and the United Kingdom in the field of Atomic energy. The Government of the United States previously had been made aware by the Government of the United Kingdom of the interest of the Union of South Africa in being accorded a special position in this field if it becomes an important supplier of uranium.
The Government of the United States wishes to reassure the Government of the Union of South Africa that its proposals will be given sympathetic consideration in consultation with the Government of the United Kingdom in the light of the principles underlying the existing relationships amongst the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada in the field of atomic energy and other relevant factors.
The Government of the United States is prepared to discuss this subject at a mutually agreed time and among such representatives as may be designated by the three Governments concerned. In order to provide a framework for expeditious discussion of the matter, it would be most helpful if the Government of the Union of South Africa would define in the near future what sort of cooperation in the field of atomic energy it is interested in establishing with the United States and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, it is the earnest desire of the Government of the United States that progress be made as rapidly as circumstances permit toward understandings on technical and commercial matters relating to a contract for uranium between the Combined Development Agency and the South African Atomic Energy Board.