Atomic II.

1. Dr. Evatt presiding over to-day's meeting of the Atomic Energy
Commission proposed that as the starting point in the Commission's
deliberations two days should be devoted to a general discussion
of the problems before the Commission, and he hoped that members
would indicate their reaction to the Baruch proposals [1] and also
bring for-ward any modifications of the American plan or any
suggestions of their own. At the end of this discussion he would
endeavour to sum up the area of agreement and the Commission could
then start consideration of measures for obtaining a preliminary
draft of a charter and best method of organising its work.

2. Canada opened the debate by welcoming the American approach and
supporting principles on which Baruch's statement was based. While
supporting Baruch's statement regarding veto he suggested that the
Commission should not bother unduly over procedure at this stage
but concentrate on those other matters on which members must agree
before any atomic energy authority could be brought into being. He
referred especially to the need for mutual confidence and the
value of specific proposals for an exchange of basic scientific
information and for cooperation between scientists.

3. United Kingdom after referring to its participation in
Washington and Moscow discussions on atomic energy also expressed
general support for the United States plan. This plan would make
great demands on mutual confidence and co-operation. It obviously
involved risks and for that reason the United Kingdom approved
proposals for penalties against violation of the proposed
agreement. There were political and military problems as well as
scientific. The United Kingdom was willing to take the American
scheme as a basis for consideration and would not put forward
alternative plan of its own, but apply its ideas in seeking
modifications of American plan.

4. The Soviet representative made a long speech stressing that
atomic energy could be used either for destruction or for human
welfare. So far its destructive uses had been most obvious, and if
the production of weapons of mass destruction continued distrust
would necessarily increase. The Soviet then made specific
proposals.

(a) For a convention for outlawing the production and use of
atomic weapons for mass destruction and
(b) For the organisation of the work of the Commission.

Developing his ideas under (a) he read the full text of a draft
international agreement to forbid the production and use of atomic
weapons proposing that the signatories should undertake
(a) Not to use atomic weapons.

(b) To forbid the production and the keeping of existing weapons
and
(c) To destroy within three months of the signature of the
convention all stocks of weapons.

5. Regarding the organisation of work of the Commission Soviet
proposed the setting up of one committee to consider the exchange
of scientific information including technological processes,
methods of industrial production and forms, sources and locations
of raw materials and a second committee whose main purpose would
be to consider means of preventing the use of atomic energy to
harm humanity. This second committee would consider, inter alia,
the preparation of draft agreements such as that submitted by the
Soviet to the meeting as well as methods for policing production,
organising control and devising a system of sanctions.

6. Finally, Soviet made reference to the importance of unanimity
without, however, explicitly dealing with the question of veto.

7. China, Brazil and Mexico all spoke in support of Baruch's
statement.

8. Dr. Evatt then adjourned the meeting until next Tuesday
afternoon when general discussion will continue and an attempt
will be made to find an area of agreement and to establish
committees necessary for the Commission's work.