Division of International Affairs, US Atomic Energy Commission, Memorandum of Conversation with Norwegian Foreign Ministry

Conversation of June 5, 1959 – 10:00 AM Norwegian Foreign Ministry

Oslo, Norway

Mr. Olaf SOLLI, Foreign Ministry official in charge of atomic energy matters.

Mr. William M. FULLERTON, Division of International Affairs,

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission

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I called on Mr. Solli at his request. During the meeting Mr. Solli informed me of an agreement between the Government of Norway and the Government of Israel which agreement is considered by the respective Governments as being “Secret”.

The agreement provides for safeguards and inspection rights in connection with the sale of heavy water by a Norwegian firm (Noratom) to the Government of Israel. Mr. Solli explained that the agreement and the sale of heavy water could be terminated in the event of non-compliance with the provisions of the safeguards article. He further explained that it also provides for transferring the safeguards function at the future date to the IAEA as mutually agreed between the parties.

In order that the Government of Norway would not be put in a difficult political position and jeopardize the competitive status of a Norwegian fertilizer plant in Egypt by issuing an export license for the export of the heavy water directly from Noratom to Israel, Noratom purchased heavy water from the U.K. (which had originally been sold to the U.K. by Noratom) and shipped the heavy water from the U.S. thus avoiding the issuance of the export license in Norway.

Mr. Solli stated this appropriate U.K. officials had been informed of the agreement with Israel and wished also to inform the U.S. Government in order that the bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Norway might in no way be affected. He urged, however, that the conversation be kept in strict confidence.

SECRET