156 



nations — singly and in organizations — to foster commercial applica- 

 tion of nuclear power. It furnished the point of departure for the 

 diplomats who worked to create the International Atomic Energy 

 Agency, Euratom, the European Nuclear Energy Agency, the network 

 of bilateral and multilateral agreements subsequently negotiated by 

 the United States, and the Nonprolife ration Treaty. Before 1954, 

 the diplomats had to deal mainly with the military impacts of the dis- 

 covery of nuclear energy. Thereafter, their responsibilities were ex- 

 panded to include the negotiations and other diplomatic activities 

 intended to secure for the United States the greatest advantages from 

 cooperating Avith and encouraging the development of commercial 

 nuclear energy in Europe, and elsewhere. 



Some Questions from the Scientific Community 



Some scientists saw the Atoms for Peace plan as raising serious ques- 

 tions. One such scientist was physicist Ralph Lapp, who had served in 

 tin' wartime bomb project. In 1956 he posed five questions about inter- 

 national promotion of the use of nuclear power which two decades 

 later remain largely unanswered. He wrote : 50 



President Eisenhower's atomic plan raises some very serious questions along 

 the following lines : 



(1) Is nuclear power technically capahle of aiding foreign nations? 



(2) Can adequate safeguards be devised to keep account of nuclear fuel and 

 prevent nn atomic power plant from becoming a bomb producer? 



(3) Is the United States prepared to implement its plan by sharing technical 

 know-how with other nations? 



(4) Will tie demand of power plants for nuclear fuel be great enough in the 

 near future to siphon off bomb material from military uses? 



(5) "What is the danger that we will accelerate the nuclear arms race (the 

 fourth-power problem) by aiding other nations in nuclear technology? 



Accomplishments of Atoms for Peace 



The initial objectives of Atoms for Peace were to help contribute 

 to a more stable and peaceful world by sharing with other nations the 

 benefits of nuclear science and technology, to improve U.S. relations 

 with other nations through such sharing, and to minimize pressures for 

 independent and potentially hazardous nuclear programs by cooperat- 

 ing in peaceful uses under conditions 'which would discourage diversion 

 of atomic materials and equipment to military purposes. 



In recent hearings before the House Subcommittee on International 

 Cooperation in Science and Space of the House Committee on Science 

 and Astronautics, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission observed that 

 these objectives continue to bo valid. With the passage of years, addi- 

 tional objective-, have taken on increased importance. For example. 

 the Atoms for Peace program has enabled the United States to take 

 part in the rapidly expanding world market for nuclear noods and 

 service. The program is also "providing an invaluable mechanism for 

 a worldwide approach to health, safetv, and environmental problems 

 which transcend national boundaries." r '' 



60 R.'ili>Ji B, Lapp, Atoms and People (Now York: Harper k Brothers, Publishers, 1950), 

 p. 182. 



Statement of Myron B. Kratzer, Director, Division of International Affairs, T T .S. 

 Atomic Energy Commission, In U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Science and Astro- 

 nautics, Rubcommltl i International Cooperation in Science and Space, Hearings, A 



General Review of International Cooperation m Science ami space, 02d Cong., 1st Sess., 

 1971, p, :::::: 



