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VU -———- Measures ef Nuclear-Disermament-— - T now turn to the question of our respective ap- proaches to the problem of nuclear armaments. It is clear that the Soviet attitude on this matter is motivated by both political and strategic. con- siderations. The Soviet Union has attempted to create pressures throughout the world which would inhibit free-world use of nuclear weapons in defense against aggression. In strategic terms, there can be little doubt that the Soviets have re- garded nuclear weapons as an important element in Western strength. They have undoubtedly rea- soned that, if we could be effectively precluded from the possibility of using nuclear weapons in our own defense, while Soviet strength in conven- tional armaments was retained, our strategic posi- tion would be impaired. . Thus over a period of years the Soviet purpose has been to “ban the bomb.” In the present nego- tiations at Geneva this theme is once again being played. The Soviets have again proposed that each nuclear power should agree not to use nuclear weapons first. They also propose the complete elimination of nuclear weapons but have admitted that this ‘could not be verified by existing techniques. How does the United States look st this problem? We have recognized, and continue to recognize, the need to deal effectively with nuclear weapons in any comprehensive disarmament arrangement. We believe, however, that nuclear and conven- tional disarmament measures must be balanced . 80 that no country or group of countries will ob- tain, at any stage, a significant military advantage. We proposed that early steps be taken to limit the continuing buildup in nuclear weapons. As an initial step we seek an agreed cutoff, under proper safeguards, in the future production of nuclear materials for weapons purposes. We also pro- pose to begin reduction of existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons materials by siphoning off agreed quantities for peaceful uses, One of our ultimate goals in a disarmament agreement is the final elimination of nuclear weapons as may be feasible in the light of techni- cal and scientific knowledge. Let me note this im- portant point: At the present time it would not be scientifically possible to establish means of veri- fication to confirm whether nuclear stockpiles had in fact been eliminated. Today a would-be aggres- May 23, 1960 ‘sor could conceal nuclear weapons "without any 7 fear of detection. But, as I have noted, there are important steps that can be taken now. We hope that the Soviets will agree to the specific measures in this area which I have already outlined.- Outer Space Recognizing that the world stands on the threshold of the space age, the United States has again proposed at Geneva, as it has in the United Nations for the past 8 years, that steps be taken toward insuring the use of outer space for peaceful Purposes only. We have specifically proposed that there should be a prohibition, with appropriate controls, against placing into orbit or stationing in outer space vehicles carrying weapons of mass destruction. Technological advances in this field have been astounding. Satellites are being sent aloft with increasing frequency. Scientists will no doubt soon discover ways to bring orbiting bodies back to a predetermined point on earth. The military implications of this are profoundly evident, It is for these reasons that Soviet failure to deal concretely with the problems of preventing weapons of mass destruction from being intro- duced into outer space is so disquieting. There may be real danger that we will soon reach the point of no return so far as control of vehicles in outer space is concerned. One could draw an unhappy parallel with the Soviet rejection in 1947 of the United States pro- posal to forgo the American monopoly of atomic weapons and establish full international control of atomic energy. We know now that the Soviet out- of-hand refusal to consider this extraordinary proposal was a tragic turning point in history. We hope the present attitude of the Soviet Union with respect to outer space does not portend the same kind of fateful choice. It would be tragic indeed if the nations of the world were to extend to the vast reaches of outer space the mili- tary rivalries which plague man here on earth. Maintaining Peace tn a Disarmed World Another basic difference between the Western and the Communist approach to disarmament is highlighted by our proposal that, as disarmament is achieved, steps must be taken to strengthen and = 823