Atomic 21.

1. At the meeting of the Working Committee today Dr. Evatt
presented general report on Sub-Committee No 1. Substance is given
in our immediately succeeding telegram. [1] As no endorsement of
report was required he immediately called on the Committee to
consider the establishment of technical committees.

2. Examination of functions, titles and composition of these
proposed committees led to a protracted tussle with Gromyko who
perpetually returned to his own original proposals and tried to
insist on adoption of his views against clear majority. Only
forceful and determined direction by the Chairman saved the
meeting from repetition of delays and inconclusiveness which have
resulted from such tactics in other bodies in the past, but after
three hours debate during which the Soviet was voted down by 10 to
2 and 10 to 1 Dr. Evatt had the satisfaction of seeing his month
as Chairman conclude with completion of another stage of the
Commission's work by establishment of full Organisation as
follows:

(1) The Working Committee to consider broad questions of principle
and co-ordinate work of other committees.

(2) Committee No 2 to examine questions associated with the
control of atomic energy activities.

(3) Legal Committee to advise on all legal and drafting matters,
examine legal aspects of relationships with the United Nations and
ultimately submit draft treaty or treaties to Working Committee.

(4) Scientific and Technical Committee to advise on scientific and
technical questions, and to consider and recommend proposals for
exchange of information for peaceful uses of atomic energy and for
all scientific and technical matters.

3. Each committee will have 12 members. Committee No 1 remains in
abeyance. Title of Committee No 2 was adopted as compromise after
Soviet had made unacceptable demands. Full terms of reference of
committees follow by air.

4. Today's exceptionally strenuous but successful meeting was
climax to a month's hard work during which the Australian
Chairmanship has been strongest single force in carrying out
Assembly's direction to use utmost despatch. Public statement
issued by Baruch's office today referred to Dr. Evatt's
outstanding work and expressed admiration for the effective manner
in which he conducted difficult sessions. At Washington President
Truman gave the message to Evatt through Acheson expressing
sincere thanks for the work performed by Australia in the recent
sittings of the Security Council and Atomic Commission.

5. Dr. Evatt suggests that it might be appropriate for the Prime
Minister or Acting Minister to make parliamentary statement on
Australian participation in Atomic Commission's work and policy
advanced by our representatives. Statements presented by him have
been given in earlier telegrams and copies forwarded by air. These
might be annexed to statement.