Authority and the system of control for which it will be responsible will require time to become fully organized and effective. The plan of control will, therefore, have to come into effect in successive stages. These should be specifically fixed in the Charter or means should be otherwise set forth in the Charter for transitions from one stage to another, as contemplated in the resolution of the United Nations Assembly which created this Commission.

13. Disclosures. In the deliberations of the United Nations Commission on Atomic Energy, the United States is prepared to make available the information essential to a reasonable understanding of the proposals which it advocates. Further disclosures must be dependent, in the interests of all, upon the effective ratification of the treaty. When the Authority is actually created, the United States will join the other nations in making available the further information essential to that organization for the performance of its functions. As the successive stages of international control are reached, the United States will be prepared to yield, to the extent required by each stage, national control of activities in this field to the Authority.

14. International Control. There will be questions about the extent of control to be allowed to national bodies, when the Authority is established. Purely national authorities for control and development of atomic energy should to the extent necessary for the effective operation of the Authority be subordinate to it. This is neither an endorsement nor a disapproval of the creation of national authorities. The Commission should evolve a clear demarcation of the scope of duties and responsibilities of such national authorities. And now I end. I have submitted an outline for present discussion. Our consideration will be broadened by the criticism of the United States proposals and by the plans of the other nations, which, it is to be hoped, will be submitted at their early convenience. I and my associates of the United States Delegation will make available to each member of this body books and pamphlets, including the AchesonLilienthal report, recently made by the United States Department of State, and the McMahon Committee Monograph No. 1 entitled "Essential Information on Atomic Energy" relating to the McMahon Bill recently passed by the United States Senate, which may prove of value in assessing the situation.

All of us are consecrated to making an end of gloom and hopelessness. It will not be an easy job. The way is long and thorny, but supremely worth traveling. All of us want to stand erect, with our faces to the sun, instead of being forced to burrow into the earth, like rats.

The pattern of salvation must be worked out by all for all.

The light at the end of the tunnel is dim, but our path seems to grow brighter as we actually begin our journey. We cannot yet light the way to the end. However, we hope the suggestions of my government will be illuminating.

Let us keep in mind the exhortation of Abraham Lincoln, whose words, uttered at a moment of shattering national peril, form a complete text for our deliberation. I quote, paraphrasing slightly: "We cannot escape history. We of this meeting will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which

we are passing will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation.

"We say we are for Peace. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save Peace. The world knows that we do. We, even we here, hold the power and have the responsibility.

"We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last, best hope of earth. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just-a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud."

My thanks for your attention.

236. U. S. S. R. PROPOSALS FOR INTERNATIONAL CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY

Statement by Andrei A. Gromyko, U. S. S. R. Representative to the Atomic Energy Commission, June 19, 1946

1

MR. GROMYKо (Soviet Union) (translated from Russian): The Atomic Energy Commission created in accordance with the resolution of the Moscow Conference of the Foreign Ministers of the Three Powers and with the resolution of the first session of the General Assembly, must proceed to the practical realization of the tasks set before it. The significance of these tasks and, consequently, of the activities of the Commission, is determined by the importance of the very discovery of methods of using atomic energy, which led to the creation of this Commission. Scientific efforts have produced a result, the significance of which is hard to appraise. That which is already known regarding the significance of this discovery and which, undoubtedly, is merely the preliminary to still greater conquests of science in this field in the future, emphasizes how important are the tasks and activities of the Commission.

As the result of the definite course of events during the last few years the circumstances were combined in such a way that one of the greatest discoveries of mankind found its first material application in the form of a particular weapon-the atomic bomb. However, although up to the present time this use of atomic energy is the only known form of its practical application, it is the general opinion that humanity stands at the threshold of a wide application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes for the benefit of the peoples, for promoting their welfare and raising their standard of living and for the development of science and culture.

There are thus two possible ways in which this discovery can be used. One way is to use it for the purpose of producing the means of mass destruction. The other way is to use it for the benefit of man

kind.

The paradox of the situation lies in the fact that it is the first way that has been more studied and more effectively mastered in practice. The second way has been less studied and effectively mastered in pracHowever, this circumstance not only does not diminish the importance of the tasks that lie before the Atomic Commission but, on the contrary, emphasizes to an even greater degree the significance of

The International Control of Atomic Energy: Growth of a Policy, Department of State publication 2702, pp. 209-216.

these tasks for all that concerns the strengthening of peace between the nations.

There can be no active and effective system of peace if the discovery of the means of using atomic energy is not placed in the service of humanity and is not applied to peaceful purposes only. The use of this discovery only for the purpose of promoting the welfare of the peoples and widening their scientific and cultural horizons will help to strengthen confidence between the countries and friendly relations between them.

On the other hand, to continue the use of this discovery for the production of weapons of mass destruction is likely to intensify mistrust between States and to keep the peoples of the world in a continual anxiety and uncertainty. Such a position is contrary to the aspirations of the peace-loving peoples, who long for the establishment of enduring peace and are making every effort in order that these aspirations may be transformed into reality.

As one of the primary measures for the fulfilment of the resolution of the General Assembly of 24 January 1946, the Soviet delegation proposes that consideration be given to the question of concluding an international convention prohibiting the production and employment of weapons based on the use of atomic energy for the purpose of mass destruction. The object of such a convention should be the prohibition of the production and employment of atomic weapons, the destruction of existing stocks of atomic weapons and the condemnation of all activities undertaken in violation of this convention. The elaboration and conclusion of a convention of this kind would be, in the opinion of the Soviet delegation, only one of the primary measures to be taken to prevent the use of atomic energy to the detriment of mankind. This act should be followed by other measures aiming at the establishment of methods to ensure the strict observance of the terms and obligations contained in the above-mentioned convention, the establishment of a system of control over the observance of the convention and the taking of decisions regarding the sanctions to be applied against the unlawful use of atomic energy. The public opinion of the whole civilized world has already rightly condemned the use in warfare of asphyxiating, poisonous and other similar gases, as well as all similar liquids and substances, and likewise bacteriological means, by concluding corresponding agreements for the prohibition of their use.

In view of this, the necessity of concluding a convention prohibiting the production and employment of atomic weapons is even more obvious. Such a convention would correspond in an even greater degree to the aspirations of the peoples of the whole world.

The conclusion of such a convention and the elaboration of a system of measures providing for the strict fulfilment of its terms, the establishment of control over the observance of the obligations imposed by the convention, and the establishment of sanctions to be applied against violators of the convention will, in the opinion of the Soviet delegation, be a serious step forward on the way towards the fulfilment of the tasks that lie before the Atomic Energy Commission, and fully corresponds to the aspirations and conscience of the whole of progressive humanity.

The necessity for the States to assume the obligation not to produce or employ atomic weapons is also dictated by the fact that the character of this weapon is such that its employment brings untold misery above all to the peaceful population. The results of its employment are incompatible with the generally accepted standards and ideas riveted in the consciousness of humanity in the course of many centuries to the effect that the rules of warfare must not allow the extermination of innocent civilian populations.

The situation existing at the present time, which has been brought about by the discovery of the means of applying atomic energy and using them for the production of atomic weapons, precludes the possibility of normal scientific co-operation between the States of the world. At the very basis of the present situation, which is characterized by the absence of any limitation in regard to the production and employment of atomic weapons, there are reasons which can only increase the suspicion of some countries in regard to others and give rise to political instability. It is clear that the continuation of such a situation is likely to bring only negative results in regard to peace. Moreover, the continuation of the present situation means that the latest scientific attainments in this field will not be a basis for joint scientific efforts among the countries for the object of discovering ways of using atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Hence there follows only one correct conclusion, namely, the necessity of an exchange of scientific information between countries and the necessity of joint scientific efforts directed toward a broadening of the possibilities of the use of atomic energy only in the interests of promoting the material welfare of the peoples and developing science and culture. The success of the work of the Commission will be determined in a large measure by the extent to which it succeeds in solving this important task.

The proposal for a wide exchange of scientific information is timely because such a scientific discovery, as the discovery of methods of using atomic energy, cannot remain for an indefinite time the property of only one country or small group of countries. It is bound to become the property of a number of countries. This confirms the necessity of a wide exchange of scientific information on the problem in question, and the necessity of drawing up corresponding measures in this field, including measures of organization.

I have stated the general considerations regarding the tasks and the character of the activities of the Atomic Energy Commission. In order to develop these general statements, on the instructions of my Government, I will place before the Commission for consideration two concrete proposals which, in the opinion of the Soviet Government, may constitute a basis for the adoption by the Commission of recommendations to the Security Council and play an important role in the strengthening of peace. These proposals are as follows:

(1) concerning the conclusion of an international convention prohibiting the production and employment of weapons based on the use of atomic energy for the purpose of mass destruction.

(2) concerning the organization of the work of the Atomic Energy Commission.

I will read the text of the first proposal.

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION TO PROHIBIT THE PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF WEAPONS BASED ON THE USE OF ATOMIC ENERGY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MASS DESTRUCTION

[Here follows a list of signatory states.]

Being profoundly aware of the vast significance of the great scientific discoveries connected with the splitting of the atom and the obtaining and use of atomic energy for the purpose of promoting the welfare and raising the standard of living of the peoples of the world, as well as for the development of culture and science for the benefit of mankind;

animated by the desire to promote in every way the fullest possible utilization by all peoples of scientific discoveries in the sphere of atomic energy for the purpose of improving the conditions of life of the peoples of the world and promoting their welfare and the further progress of human culture;

fully realizing that the great scientific discoveries in the sphere of atomic energy carry with them a great danger, above all, for peaceful towns and the civilian population in the event of these discoveries being used in the form of atomic weapons for the purpose of mass destruction;

recognizing the great significance of the fact that international agreements have already prohibited the use in warfare of asphyxiating, poisonous and other similar gases, as well as all similar liquids, substances and processes, and likewise bacteriological means, rightly condemned by the public opinion of the civilized world, and considering that the international prohibition of the use of atomic weapons for the mass destruction of human beings corresponds in still greater measure to the aspirations and the conscience of the peoples of the whole world:

being firmly resolved to avert the danger of these scientific discoveries being used to the detriment and against the interests of mankind;

resolved to conclude a convention to prohibit the production and the employment of weapons based on the use of atomic energy, and for this purpose appointed as their plenipotentiaries. There follows the list of plenipotentiaries], who, after presenting their credentials found to be in good and due form, agreed as follows:

Article 1. The high contracting parties solemnly declare that they are unanimously resolved to prohibit the production and employment of weapons based on the use of atomic energy, and for this purpose assume the following obligations:

(a) not to use atomic weapons in any circumstances whatsoever; (b) to prohibit the production and storing of weapons based on the use of atomic energy;

(c) to destroy, within a period of three months from the day of the entry into force of the present convention, all stocks of atomic energy weapons whether in a finished or unfinished condition.

Article 2. The high contracting parties declare that any violation of article 1 of the present convention is a most serious international crime against humanity.

Article 3. The high contracting parties shall, within a period of six months from the day of the entry into force of the present con