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The Atomic Energy Commission of the United Nations meets on June 14, 1946.

Baruch Plan for International Control of Atomic Energy

In June 1946, Bernard Baruch presented to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (UNAEC)  a proposal for the international control and regulation of atomic energy. This collection documents the Soviet Union's response to the Baruch Plan. It shows that Molotov and Stalin paid careful attention to the position the Soviet Union was taking at the United Nations on atomic weapons and arms reduction, even as they did not necessarily believe that an agreement was even possible or desirable. For additional information, see David J. Holloway's post on Sources & Methods, "The Soviet Union and the Baruch Plan" (June 2020).

The Atomic Energy Commission of the United Nations meets on June 14, 1946.

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September 17, 1947

George C. Marshall, 'A Program for a More Effective United Nations: Address by the Chief of the U.S. Delegation to the General Assembly'

Marshall speaks about Greece, Palestine, and Korea, as well as the international control of atomic energy and the role and structure of the United Nations.

September 18, 1947

Text of Speech Delivered by A.Y. Vyshinsky at the General Assembly of the United Nations, September 18, 1947

The Soviet Union's response to George Marshall's September 17, 1947, speech at the UNGA. Vyshinsky offers the Soviet Union's position on arms control, nuclear weapons, the UN, Korea, Greece, and other issues raised by Marshall

November 26, 1946

Incoming Cable No. 2151, Druzhkov [Stalin] to Cde. Molotov

Stalin agrees to Molotov's additional points on mutual arms reduction. Proposes creating under the UNSC a special inspection organ. To do this the following shall be created: control commissions on the fulfillment of the arms reduction agreement and militarized nuclear energy. The former should be temporary, the latter permanent, but they shouldn't highlight that the former is only temporary.

November 20, 1946

Cable No. 641, Dekanozov to Cde. Stalin

Dekanozov relates a conversation with Ambassador Smith, who indicated that President Truman was interested in control over nuclear energy. Smith would like to meet with Stalin when he returns from Sochi.

December 3, 1946

Incoming Cable No. 2209, Druzhkov [Stalin] to Cde. Molotov

Stalin approves of the American draft for arms control as a basis, but instructs Molotov to insist on specific wording for certain points. He also does not recommend introducing any addendums as he believes they will fail.
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Exterior of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

The Soviet Union and the Baruch Plan

Documents from Stalin’s personal fond at the Russian State Archive of Socio-Political History offer insights into the Soviet Union’s position vis-à-vis the Baruch plan for the international control of atomic energy.

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