Presidential Papers, Doc#1619 To Lewis Lichtenstein Strauss and John Baker Hollister, 2 November 1955. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Doc #1620

Document #1619; November 2, 1955
To Lewis Lichtenstein Strauss and John Baker Hollister
Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series: AEC
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XVI - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part VIII: Toward "statesmanship of a high order"; June 1955 to November 1955
Chapter 17: "Stern edicts" from the Doctors

 

Memorandum to the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and the Director, International Cooperation Administration: My keen interest in the development of the international peaceful uses of atomic energy program prompts me to write this note of inquiry as to its progress.1

I have particularly in mind developments in connection with the 50-50 matching proposal which I made at Penn State last June.2

I should appreciate it if you could let me know of the progress being made in connection with this proposal; first as to what procedures have been worked out to undertake its implementation; and second, perhaps let me have regular progress reports concerning the negotiations with the twenty-eight countries who are eligible in view of their having signed the bilateral agreements.3

Your cooperation in this connection will be greatly appreciated.

1 On Eisenhower's interest in this issue see nos. 923 and 1331; see also State, Foreign Relations, 1955-1957, vol. XX, Regulation of Armaments; Atomic Energy, pp. 208-9.

2 In his Pennsylvania State University Centennial Commencement address on June 11 Eisenhower had said that the United States would contribute half the cost of building nuclear research reactors in "free nations who can use them effectively for the acquisition of the skills and understanding essential to peaceful atomic progress." He further agreed to provide technical training in the construction and operation of power reactors (Public Papers of the Presidents: Eisenhower, 1955, pp. 593-600; see also Hewlett and Holl, Atoms for Peace and War, pp. 245-46, 308).

3 The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 had provided for bilateral agreements with other countries primarily to provide American assistance in establishing research reactors abroad (see U.S. Department of State Bulletin 32, no. 834 [June 20, 1955], 1018; and 33, no. 837 [July 11, 1955], 55-64; State, Foreign Relations, 1955-1957, vol. XX, Regulation of Armaments; Atomic Energy, pp. 22, 71-72; and Hewlett and Holl, Atoms for Peace and War, pp. 133-34, 227, 235-37).

International Cooperation Administration Director Hollister would tell Eisenhower that the ICA had no part in the negotiation of agreements with countries wanting reactors. ICA officials, however, had held a number of meetings with the Atomic Energy Commission and the State Department to establish the proper procedures necessary for future transactions. The ICA was also cooperating with the AEC to expand programs for the training of technicians in the United States and abroad. Hollister had proposed to establish in an Asian country a research reactor center that would include laboratories and equipment to be staffed ultimately by Asians (Hollister to Eisenhower, Nov. 14, 1955, AWF/A: AEC).

AEC Chairman Strauss would report "considerable progress" in the implementation of Eisenhower's proposal: seven to ten countries were to begin research reactor programs in the coming year. The AEC recently had transferred to the Swiss Commission for Nuclear Research the reactor it had constructed and operated during the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy held in August (Strauss to Eisenhower, Nov. 15, 1955, ibid.). Between January and December 1956 Strauss would send Eisenhower ten more reports regarding the program. He would report in December 1956 that since the beginning of negotiations, the AEC had concluded agreements with thirty-two countries for the construction of research reactors and seven for power reactors. The United States was also negotiating agreements with nine additional countries regarding general nuclear research. All reports are in ibid.; see also State, Foreign Relations, 1955-1957, vol. XX, Regulation of Armaments; Atomic Energy, pp. 371, 768-80. For developments see no. 1698.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Lewis Lichtenstein Strauss and John Baker Hollister, 2 November 1955. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 1619. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/1619.cfm

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