ATES
BACKGROUND PAPER
Brief Summary--Current Status
Geneva Test Ban Negotiations
There is before the conference, the United States proposal of
Februsry 11, as well as the Soviet Union's counter proposal. The
conference has in recent weeks pretty much confined itself to a discussion of these two matters.
We have indicated to the Soviet Union that that portion of its
proposal dealing with the question of establishing criteria for events
eligible for on-site inspection is generally acceptable to the United
States.
However, we have pointed out that other aspects of the Soviet
proposal, namely~--that we mist accept a comprehensive agreement, and an
on-site inspection quota based on a purely political decision—are not
acceptable.
With respect to the latter two points, we have repeatedly stated
that a comprehensive ban on ali tests, under the control system out-
lined by the experts at the 1958 Geneva Technical Conference, at this
time, would mean a ban without adequate safeguards over smal] underground explosions. We have, as well, made clear that any quota for
on-site inspections must be based on scientific facts and detection
capabilities.
REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY
We are still awaiting the specific views of the Soviet Union on
our proposal.
REPOSITORY
COLLECTION
80x No, /O
FOLDER Conference. O