320/11–651: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
Delga 72. For Hickerson and Bechhoefer. Fol final draft tripartite statement approved this morning by Secy, Eden and Schuman:
Verbatim text:
“1. France, the United Kingdom and the US will submit to the sixth GA of the UN for its consideration proposals for proceeding with the regulation, limitation and balanced reduction of all armed forces and all armaments, including atomic.
“2. As long as present conditions of internatl tension prevail, the three govts have the inescapable duty and are unshakably determined to continue their efforts to develop the strength required for their security and that of the free world, because without security there can be no peace with justice. They also believe that if all govts sincerely join in the cooperative and effective regulation and limitation of armed forces and armaments, this wld greatly reduce the danger of war and thus enhance the security of all nations.
“3. In any honest program for regulation, limitation and balanced reduction of all armed forces and armaments a first and indispensable step is disclosure and verification. The system of disclosure and verification must be on a continuing basis and reveal in successive stages all armed forces—including para-military, security and police forces—and all armaments, including atomic. It must also provide for effective internatl inspection to verily the adequacy and accuracy of this info.
“4. Such a system of disclosure and verification in successive stages wld be an essential part of the program for regulation, limitation and balanced reduction of all armed forces and armaments to a level which wld decrease substantially the possibility of a successful aggression [Page 582] and thereby decrease the chance that armed aggression would be used to further natl objectives.
“5. The three govts believe that a workable program shld include criteria according to which the size of all armed forces wld be limited, the portion of natl production which cld be used for military purposes wld be restricted, and mutually agreed natl mil programs wld be arrived at within the prescribed limits and restrictions. The UN plan for the internatl control of atomic energy and the prohibition of atomic weapons shld continue to serve as the basis for the atomic energy aspects of any general program for the regulation, limitation and balanced reduction of all armaments and armed forces, unless and until a better and more effective plan can be devised.
“6. The three govts believe that discussion of the program shld begin now. However, such a general program cannot be put into effect while UN forces are resisting aggression in Korea. Moreover, concurrently with the coming into effect of the program the major political issues which have divided the world can and must be settled.
“7. The three govts share with all members of the UN the responsibility to promote world conditions in which internatl peace and security are assured. They believe that their proposals offer an opportunity for the world to move forward toward that objective.”
Statement will be released midnight Paris time (6 p. m. Washington) tomorrow, with handouts to press not more than one hour before in accordance with telephone conversation between GA Del and Dept.
Sent Dept Delga 72, rptd London priority 693 for Gifford and Holmes.