Briefing Paper for the President's Press Conference
August 17, 1960
DISARMAMENT
NEGOTIATIONS
Que stion
Mr. President, the U.S. Disarmament Commission held its first
session yesterday. Could you tell us what we hope to accomplish
in this disarmament commission meeting?
Answer
The Four Powers (US, UK, France, USSR), when they established
roe
the Ten Nation forum, agreed to keep the Disarmament Commission informed of the progress of their deliberations, This meeting, then,
is in keeping with that agreement. However, the principal reason for
calling the Commission meeting at this time is in the hope that the
Commission will lend its support toward getting general disarmament
negotiations back on the track.
Question
Mr, President, Ambassador Lodge's proposal yesterday called for
the setting aside on a reciprocal basis of 30,000 kilograms of weapons
grade U-235,
Can you tell us what proportion of the US and USSR
stockpiles this represents?
Answer
I can't, of course, be explicit but it represents a significant
proportion as I believe is illustrated by the fact that 30,000
kilograms would represent an explosive force well over 1,000 times
greater than all the high explosive bombs used in World War I.
Question
REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY
Mr. President, does the alternative proposal set forth by
Ambassador Lodge mean that the United States would be prepared to
shut down such plants as Oak Ridge and Hanford?
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