DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
Date: March 9, 1949
Subject:
Participants: Sir Oliver Franks, The British Ambassador The Secretary Mr. Hickerson, EUR
Copies to: S, U - Mr. Arnesson
The British Ambassador came in to see me at 2:00 p.m. today at his request. After discussing an aspect of the North Atlantic Pact, on which a separate memorandum is being prepared, Sir Oliver said that he had received information from at least a half dozen US sources, which he did not identify, to the effect that the US Government may shortly feel itself in a position to open up on a broad front a discussion of atomic energy with the UK Government. Sir Oliver said that he had no instructions from his Government, but that he felt that it would be exceedingly useful, if this were true, that the UK Government be given a chance to send over quietly and informally one or two officials, including Roger Makins, to discuss the whole matter in a preliminary way with one or two US officials.
I told the Ambassador that I would look into this matter and bear his suggestion in mind.
RUE:JDHickerson:elm