SOVIET’S PROPOSAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26216, 29 July 1946, Page 5

SOVIET’S PROPOSAL

ATOMIC WEAPON CONTROL INTERNATIONAL OUTLAWRY PRACTICABILITY URGED (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. July 26. Addressing the Atomic Commission's Control Committee, Mr A. Gromyko described the Soviet’s proposal for an international convention outlawing the production and use of atomic weapons for 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 goal. He said is 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. Similar to American Plan 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 most important and might well be the first thing on which the commission agreed as a matter of principle, but there was apparently disagreement on whether there should be a separate treaty providing only lor outlawing atomic weapons and ending their production. It still had to be decided whether the treaty should provide for some workable effective control plan. The United States delegation and others, including Dr van Kleffens (Holland) asked Mr Gromyko for further explanation of the Soviet plan, showing how it could be made effective. Mr Gromyko said 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. The task was made by historic precedents, in which the countries had shown that they could conclude conventions against the use of weapons such as poison ogas. . The General Assembly had instructed the commission to ensure that atomic energy would not be used for mass destruction, Mr Gromyko said. If all the countries agreed to this, how could the production of atomic weapons be reconciled with this purpose? Why should the nations produce stock-piles of atomic weapons if all were agreed that atomic energy should be used only for the benefit of mankind? The conclusion of an 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 possibly have to be elaborated by the commission. Mr Gromyko reiterated the Soviet’s adherence to the principle of sovereignty, by which the nations themselves would punish violators within their own border.

Earlier Agreements Broken Dr van Kleffens detailed historic instances in which internatinal conventions for outlawing certain weapons and war conduct had failed, including the prohibition of poisoning wells, firing explosive projectiles weighing over 400 grammes, and using dum-dum bullets. Thirty countries had signed a protocol in 1925 prohibiting the use of gas or bacteria, but all the major States continued to engage in research into these arms, and had great stocks available before and during the recent war. There was little. reason to expect that mere prohibition of atomic weapons would have better results. Therefore the Russian plan needed considerable elaboration. The essence of the Soviet proposal was to prohibit the production and use of atomic weapons withut a simultaneous system of international inspection or sanction unless the Security Council approved of it, the possibility of which seemed remote.