The Key West citizen., 1954-09-07
Door Is Open
For Reds In
Atom Pool
BY JOHN M. HIcHrowER

Eisenhower held the door open to-
day for Soviet cooperation in a
new Allied undertaking to spread
peaceful benefits of atomic energy
to many lands.
A diplomatic authority said Rus
sia's behavior toward the United
States and particularly the Krem-
Inns rejection Of a previous Eisen-
hover proposal that it join in an
international atomic pool appeared
to rule out any move to join the
latest project.
Nevertheless, the decision an
nounced by the President yester-
day to 60 ahead without Russia on
an international atomic agency
plan would appear to put the Soviet
somewhat on the spot since they
they have 50 far indicated. no in
terest In sharing their own atomic
energy know-how and resources
with anybody else.
What Eisenhower disclosed was
that the United States government
has agreed with other nations to
ret up an agency to "foster the
growth and spread Of new atomic
technology for peaceful use." The
President did not name the coun-
tries, but an aide at the Summer
White House in Denver said they
are Britain, France, Canada, South
Africa and Australia.
Eisenhower expressed hope that
ssno nation will long stand aloof'
from the enterprise. This seemed
clearly to keep the door open for
Russian cooperation.
For the time being, the Presi-
dent made clear, the project aims
to provide benefits for friendly,
free nations. He said the intent Of
the nations joining In the UNDER
taking is to share atomic tech
nology with others of good will"
Other non-C Communist countries
may join the project shortly. II is
known that there have been nego-
tiations with Belgium, which con-
trolls one Of the worlds great
uranium producing areas in the
Belgian Congo. South Africa and
Australia are in the project as
producing countries. The United
States, Britain and Canada are in
as countries with atomic industry
and France as one with skin in
atomic research and development.
Eisenhower spoke to the nation
by radio and television in cOnnec-
tion with ground-breaking cere-
monies for the nations first atomic
power generation plant, near Pitts
burgh.
The six-nation agreement which
the President disclosed Is an out
growth Of q proposition he made
to the United Nations last Dec.
9, but with substantial modifica-
lions.
In announcing the earlier propos-
nj, Eisenhower said the United
States was willing to contribute
atomic material to q pool In. a
joint undertaking with other atom
ie powers-specifically including
Russia.
Negotiations were held with Rus
STA on the earlier proposal, but the
Soviet insisted on two points which
this country considered hopelessly
unacceptable: (D that Red China
would join in formal talks to create
the pool, and (2) that the United
States should, as q first step, join
IN outlawing the use Of atomic
weapons.
The Presidents new plan pri-
Inarily can achieve two things: It
can demonstrate Americas inter-
est in atomic developments for
peace to build up power sources
in power-short areas. Also, it can
provide 4 practical enterprise in
which the United States and its
principal allies work together to
create something new and better
IN the world.
Eisenhower said, "Atomic mater
ials for projects sponsored by this
agency win be set aside for that
purpose"
The United States is going ahead
with the atomic pool under the
authority of the new atomic energy
law the President signed q week
ago. That law permits sharing Of
certain atomic secrets with allies.