Atomic Energy and World Government

Abstract

First Interim Report of the Atomic Energy Commission was presented to the Security Council under date of December 31, 1946. This significant document represents the result of deliberations from June 14 to December 31. Following prolonged consideration in the Council, during which the representative for the U.S.S.R., Andrei A. Gromyko, raised the major issues upon which agreement could not be reached and submitted twelve amendments thereon, the Council on March 10 referred the Report, together with its record of consideration, back to the Commission with direction to submit a Second Report before the next meeting of the General Assembly. Findings on the scientific and technical aspects included safeguards to ensure the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, among which was the important conclusion that an international control agency must be responsible for the system of safeguards and control. Comprehensive safeguards are listed against diversion of uranium and thorium from declared mines, mills, refineries, chemical and metallurgical plants; of uranium from isotope separation plants; and of uranium, thorium, and plutonium from declared nuclear reactors and chemical extraction plants. These safeguards should be administered through a system of licensing, inspection supervision, and internal managerial operating controls established by and responsible to an international control agency. This agency would be given broad privileges of movement and inspection to ensure detection of clandestine activities. In addition the agency would exercise detailed accounting, and control storage and shipment. Among the general findings it was revealed that effective control of atomic energy depends upon effective control of the production and use of uranium, thorium, and their fissionable derivatives; that whether the ultimate nuclear fuel be destined for peaceful or destructive uses, the productive processes are