ATOMIC WEAPONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1946, Page 5

ATOMIC WEAPONS

RUSSIAN PLAN FOR CONTROL CONVENTION ADDRESS TO UNO COMMITTEE NEW YORK, July 26. Addressing the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission’s Control Committee, Mr. Gromyko (Russia) described the Soviet’s proposal for an international convention outlawing the production and use of atomic weapons Lor the purposes of mass destruction as being practical compared with those of other countries, which might appear radical on the surface but could not carry the world to its 1 goal. .He said that it was impossible to ■ reconcile the production of atomic weapons with the principle of using atomic energy for peaceful purposes only, or with the spirit and principles of the United Nations. The Australian Associated Press says: “It is understood that the United States delegation took the view that there was no difference in principle between the Soviet and the United States proposals. “The outlawing of. atomic weapons was the most important and might well be the first thing on which the Commission agreed as a matter of principle, but there was apparently disagreement as to whether there should be a separate treaty providing only for outlawing atomic weapons and ending production. It still had to be decided whether the treaty should provide for some workable and effective control plan. Further Explanation Asked “The United States delegation and others, including Dr. van Kieffens (Holland), asked Mr Gromyko for a further explanation of the Soviet plan showing how it could be made effective. , _ . , “Mr Gromyko said that the Soviet attached the greatest importance to the international convention proposal to which there were no serious obstacles. If the countries represented on the Commission sincerely wished to take practical steps towards the control of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, their task was made easier by historic precedents in which countries had shown that they could conclude conventions against the use of weapons such as poison-gas. The General Assemby had instructed the Commission to ensure that > atomic energv will not be used for mass destruction. If all countries , agreed to this, Mr Gromyko asked, how could the production of atomic weapons be reconciled with this purpose? Why should nations produce stock piles.of atomic weapons if all agreed that atomic energy should ..only be used for the benefit of mankind?’ The conclusion of the International Convention would doubtless make a most favourable impression on all peace-loving States and would promote good international relations. Some details of the convention would I possibly have to be elaborated by the Commission.