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United States president Dwight D. Eisenhower called for a policy of “open skies” for arms inspection in a 1955 speech delivered during the first Cold War summit conference, held in Geneva, Switzerland. Although conciliatory gestures from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) had slightly eased tensions between the superpowers, East-West conflicts were still unfolding, as both nations built up their atomic arsenals to reach a balance of power. In this setting, Eisenhower’s proposal for mutual inspection to verify arms reductions was probably premature. The concept was not fully adopted until 1987, when, after years of negotiations, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Herbert S. Parmet
July 21, 1955
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Disarmament is one of the most important subjects on our agenda. It is also extremely difficult. In recent years the scientists have discovered methods of making weapons many, many times more destructive of opposing armed forces—but also of homes, and industries and lives—than ever known or even imagined before. These same scientific discoveries have made much more complex the problems of limitation and control and reduction of armament.
After our victory as Allies in World War II, my country rapidly disarmed. Within a few years our armament was at a very low level. Then events occurred beyond our borders which caused us to realize that we had diminished too much. For our own security and to safeguard peace we needed greater strength. Therefore we proceeded to rearm and to associate with others in a partnership for peace and for mutual security.
The American people are determined to maintain and if necessary increase this armed strength for as long a period as is necessary to safeguard peace and to maintain our security.
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But we know that a mutually dependable system for less armament on the part of all nations would be a better way to safeguard peace and to maintain our security.
It would ease the fears of war in the anxious hearts of people everywhere. It would make it possible for every nation, great and small, developed and less developed, to advance the standards of living of its people, to attain better food, and clothing, and shelter, more of education and larger enjoyment of life.
Therefore the United States government is prepared to enter into a sound and reliable agreement making possible the reduction of armament. I have directed that an intensive and thorough study of this subject be made within our own government. From these studies, which are continuing, a very important principle is emerging.…
No sound and reliable agreement can be made unless it is completely covered by an inspection and reporting system adequate to support every portion of the agreement.
The lessons of history teach us that disarmament agreements without adequate reciprocal inspection increase the dangers of war and do not brighten the prospects of peace.…
I propose … that we take a practical step, that we begin an arrangement, very quickly, as between ourselves—immediately. These steps would include:
To give to each other a complete blueprint of our military establishments, from beginning to end, from one end of our countries to the other; lay out the establishments and provide the blueprints to each other.
Next, to provide within our countries facilities for aerial photography to the other country—we to provide you the facilities within our country, ample facilities for aerial reconnaissance, where you can make all the pictures you choose and take them to your own country to study, you to provide exactly the same facilities for us and we to make these examinations, and by this step to convince the world that we are providing as between ourselves against the possibility of great surprise attack, thus lessening danger and relaxing tension. Likewise we will make more easily attainable a comprehensive and effective system of inspection and disarmament, because what I propose, I assure you, would be but a beginning.
Now from my statements I believe you will anticipate my suggestion. It is that we instruct our representatives in the Subcommittee on Disarmament in discharge of their mandate from the United Nations to give priority effort to the study of inspection and reporting. Such a study could well include a step by step testing of inspection and reporting methods.…
The quest for peace is the statesman’s most exacting duty. Security of the nation entrusted to his care is his greatest responsibility. Practical progress to lasting peace is his fondest hope. Yet, in pursuit of his hope, he must not betray the trust placed in him as guardian of the people’s security. A sound peace—with security, justice, well-being, and freedom for the people of the world—can be achieved, but only by patiently and thoughtfully following a hard and sure and tested road.
Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1955. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1960.
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Arms Control; Eisenhower, Dwight David
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