Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volumes VII, VIII, IX, Arms Control; National Security Policy; Foreign Economic Policy, Microfiche Supplement

19. Telegram 305 from Moscow, July 28¹

Moscow, July 28, 1961, 1 a.m.

Deliver Baker, D/O by 9:00 a.m. 1. Zorin has asked for session Friday a.m. in order formally to introduce statement of principles transmitted Dept Embtel 304. Two meetings have been tentatively set for tomorrow. We plan limit our comments to welcoming Sov willingness after all this time to discuss principles and to note that if Sov draft had been introduced at outset of our sessions Washington, we would probably be ready to start formal multilateral negotiations by now or the near future.

2. We believe Sov submission this statement substantially improves Sov position and undercuts our argument that Sovs have blocked way to multilateral negotiations by refusal to discuss principles. Furthermore Dept will recognize Sov draft will have great appeal in U.S., and with exception 2 or 3 major points with our allies. Accordingly we believe Sov move creates new situation which will require prompt decision concerning our tactics.

3. We believe there are 3 broad courses of action we can follow, each of which has clear advantages and disadvantages which will be apparent to Dept. They are:

A. To submit minimum number of amendments to Sov document which if accepted would make it acceptable to us as a basis for resumption multilateral negotiations;

B. Propose recess July 31 for further review by govts of present situation and that we reconvene, perhaps on less formal basis, in New York week or ten days hence; or

C. Without offering amendments, recapitulate major differences between Sov statement of principle as it now stands and our own and propose that we move directly to multilateral negotiations to which both competing statements would be referred. We might in this instance wish to submit further revision of our own statement of principles.

4. On balance we are inclined to favor starting with alternative (A). Consider it unlikely this would lead to agreement but likely to lead to alternative (C) on most favorable basis. If Dept authorizes amendments suggested this message we would present them to Sovs on Saturday. In putting them to Sovs we would point to promptness our response and ask Zorin for immediate indication whether US amendments constituted basis for agreement by Sovs. In light that response we would then either indicate we willing to stay to end of week to wrap up statement or suggest that since prospect agreement dim we move to multilateral forum without agreed statement principles. If Sovs reject our amendments outright we would make summary recapitulation of our position, state we propose return to Washington to consider next steps and then move to call meeting of D.C. after Labor Day. Amendments we would suggest are as follows:

A. First and second introductory paragraphs, no change.

B. Third introductory para insert after word “today” the following: “and that early measures leading toward this goal be worked out in detail and agreed upon in the shortest possible time.” Change “sides” to “states”. Delete “general and complete” in last phrase.

C. In numbered para 1 delete “of general and complete disarmament” and insert after words “world in which” the following: “all disputes are settled by reliable procedures without resort to force and in which”.

D. Substitute the following for para 2: “General and complete disarmament should include:

(A) The reduction of all national forces and military establishments, including bases, of all states to agreed levels as required for the purposes set forth in para 3.

(B) The reduction of all armaments to agreed types and quantities as required for the purposes of para 3 and the destruction or conversion to peaceful uses of all other armaments including weapons of mass destruction and means for their delivery and conventional arms.

(C) The reduction of expenditures for military purposes for all states to amounts necessary for the purposes of para 3.

(D) The cessation of manufacture of armaments except for the types and quantities agreed as necessary for the purposes of para 3.”

(E) Revise para 3 to read as follows: “After total and universal disarmament has been completed, each state should have only those forces, armaments and military establishments as agreed to be necessary to maintain internal order and protect the personal security of citizens and to support and provide agreed manpower for a UN international security force.”

(F) In numbered para 4 delete the phrase “general and complete”. Revise 2nd sentence to read as follows: “Transition to a subsequent stage in the process of disarmament should take place upon verification of the implementation of measures included in the preceding stage and a determination that any additional verification arrangements required for the next stage are agreed, and when appropriate, are ready to operate.”

(G) Delete “general and complete” in para 5.

(H) In numbered para 6 delete “of general and complete disarmament”. Substitute “depend upon the requirements for verification of the” for “correspond to the extent, scope and nature of”. In 3rd sentence substitute “during and after the implementation” for “under the conditions”. In 4th sentence delete “the so-called”. In final sentence insert “as necessary” after “free access”.

(I) In para 7 insert as 1st sentence: “Progress in disarmament should be accompanied by measures to strengthen institutions for maintaining peace and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.” Substitute “during and after the implementation” for “under the conditions”. Insert “the principles of” after “in accordance with”. Substitute “United Nations” for “Security Council”. Insert “national” before “contingents” and delete “of police”. Delete final two sentences.

(J) Substitute new para 8 as follows: “States participating in the negotiations should seek to achieve and implement the widest possible agreement at the earliest possible date. Efforts should continue without interruption until agreement upon the total program has been achieved, and efforts to insure early agreement on an implementation of measures of disarmament should be undertaken without prejudicing progress on agreement upon the total program and in such a way that these measures would facilitate and form part of that program.”

(K) No change paras D and E. Dept will note implications para E for Berlin situation.

Request Dept instructions soonest. McCloy may have further views tomorrow but USDEL requests Dept proceed on basis above USDEL recommendations.

Thompson

1. Bilateral disarmament talks: Soviet intention to introduce statement of principles. Confidential. 5 pp. Department of State, Central Files, 600.0012/7–2861.