My telegram 19th December D. No. 2264 [1] atomic energy. We agree
generally with the United States proposals.

2. We have informed the United Kingdom Delegation at Moscow that
we consider that the five permanent members of the United Nations
Security Council together with Canada should join in sponsoring
the proposal at first meeting of the United Nations General
Assembly in January and that the United States, United Kingdom and
Soviet Governments should join in recommending this procedure to
the Governments of Canada, China and France.

3. We have considered very fully the question whether the
Commission should report to the Assembly or to the Security
Council. International problems created by this new discovery are
largely problems of security and Security Council should therefore
be given the responsibility for approving any action proposed.

This point of view is likely to be put forward by the Soviet
Government. On the other hand, as the United States Delegation
have pointed out, if the Commission were responsible to the
Assembly its debates could not be stifled by veto; the Security
Council could deal with those parts of the Commission's reports
which come within its jurisdiction but there would be likely to be
many constructive proposals falling within competence of the
Assembly and not within jurisdiction of the Security Council; to
put the Commission under the Assembly would emphasize the
constructive and peaceful side of its work. The importance of the
security aspect will in any case be emphasized if the Commission
is composed as suggested by the United States Delegation. We are
therefore disposed to accept the proposal that the Commission
should report to the Assembly, latter could discuss its report and
remit it to the Security Council for examination and action on
security aspects. But it should be within the competence of the
Assembly thereafter to refer other aspects to the Economic and
Social Council or any other suitable body for such action as might
be cleared by the Security Council as free from secret objection.

4. We should have preferred the proposed terms of reference should
include [2] procedure by stages on the lines of the first sentence
of paragraph 8 of the Tripartite Statement of 15th [November]. [3]

5. The United States Delegation, Moscow have now officially
circulated their proposals to the Soviet and the United Kingdom
Delegation, including amendment to meet the point in paragraph 2
above.