RUSSIAN VIEWS ON ATOMIC ENERGY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24907, 21 June 1946, Page 7

RUSSIAN VIEWS ON ATOMIC ENERGY

International Treaty To Outlaw Weapons

GROMYKO’S PROPOSALS TO UNO COMMISSION

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 19. Explaining Russia’s views to the United Nations Atomic Energv Commission, Mr Gromyko said that although circumstances had dictated that atomic energy should be first used as a weapon, it was generally agreed that the world was on the threshold of the discovery of developments ensuring its application to peace in science and culture., There would be no prospect of devising an effective system if the discovery of '' ft y of using atomic energy were not placed at the disposal or humanity, which was thirsty for peace.

Mr Gromyko emphasised that the secret of the production of atomic energy could not remain indefinitely the property ot one country or one group of countries. It would I’lcvitaniy become the property of many countries. The exchange of information should therefore be properly organised. The Soviet had two concrete proposals, which it hoped ■would form the basis of a recolnniendation by the Commission to the Security Council, the first providing for an International agreement outlawing the production and use of weapons based on atomic energy; and the second for control of peaceful applications of atomic energy.

Mr Gromyko proposed a text for the proposed international agreement, under which the nations undertook to outlaw the production and use of weapons based on atomic energy, destroy existing stocks within three months, and legislate within six months to provide severe penalties for violation of the terms of the agreement.

He said the proposed agreement should be open to the signature of any country, whether or not it was a member of the United Nations. The agreement should be for an indefinite term and should come into force on the Security Council s approval after ratification by half the signature states, including all members of the United Nations as under Article 3 of the Charter. . »

Russia recommended the establishment of two committees to make recommendations and generally to study atomic development tot peaceful use. One committee .would deal with the exchange ot scientific and technological information. "Hie other would advise the Commission on the prevention of the harmful' use of atotoie energy. Mr Gromyko proposed thet each committee should comprise one representative of each State represented on the Atomic Commission, with advisers. Declaring that efforts had heen made “to undermine the unanimity of members of the Security Council on questions of substance," Mr Gromyko said that this wa» incompatible with the United Nations and Should be resisted. “In the Atomic Cemmissioh I want to make the Soviet's, position clear from the beginning.*’ he said. Mr Gromyko, immediately the Atomic Commission met to-day, announced that he intended to prepare and submit an amendment td therulcj of procedure. Therefore, he rsked that the discussion On these be postponed until the next sitting. The Commission agreed to the postponement Sir Alexander Cadogan warmly welcomed the United States plan dealing with atomic energy. He said that His Majesty’s Government fully endorsed the emphasis placed on the need to impose immediate and effective penalties against violations of the future scheme for International control nf atomic energy. The Chinese and Mexican delegatee praised the United States plan and urged the removal of the veto power from the Atomic Commission The Commission adjourned until after the meeting of the Atomic Energy Commission on the meaning of hie words, Efforts nave been made to undermine the unanimity of the members of the Security Council on questions of substance, which (a incompatible with the interests of the United Nations. Mr Gromyko declared emphatically that the veto privilege should be retained in the deliberations of the Commission. ‘■The veto should be retained in any circumstances," he said.