IT IS the joint view of the United States and the United
Kingdom Governments that the existing state of nuclear development, in
which the recent massive Soviet tests are an important factor, would justify
the West in making such further series of nuclear tests as may be necessary
for purely military reasons.
The United States and United
Kingdom Governments have therefore decided that preparations should be
made in various places, and as part of these the United Kingdom Government
is making available to the United States Government the facilities at Christmas
Island.
The two Governments are, however,
deeply concerned for the future of mankind if a halt cannot be called to
the nuclear arms race. The two Governments are, therefore, determined to
make a new effort to move away this sterile contest. They believe that
a supreme effort should be made at the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee
which will begin meetings on March 14 at Geneva, and that the Heads of
Government of the United States, United Kingdom, Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics should assume a direct and personal interest in these negotiations.
The President and the Prime Minister have, therefore, addressed a joint
communication to Chairman Khrushchev proposing that this meeting be initiated
at the Foreign Minister level and that their Foreign Ministers should meet
before the Conference started and also be prepared to return as personal
participants in the negotiations at appropriate stages as progress is made.