LETTER OF SUBMITTAL WASHINGTON, D. C., SIRS: We have the honor to submit herewith the Nineteenth Semiannual Report of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, as required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. U. S. Background and Organization of Conference. U. S. Activities on Conference.. SUMMARY The outstanding event of 1955 in connection with atomic energy development was the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy which was held in Geneva, Switzerland August 8 to 20. Originally proposed by the United States and later sponsored by the United Nations, the Conference brought together scientists and engineers of 73 nations to discuss almost every facet of the subject. There were extensive Governmental and commercial exhibits. The first chapter of this report summarizes this Nation's participation in and the results of the Conference. There were many other noteworthy developments in the Atoms-forPeace program of the United States and cooperating nations during this reporting period. The growing pace of action required the creation of a new Division of International Affairs to provide organizational arrangements to help handle the Commission's part in the program. 1 Events of the 6 months 1 included: completion of cooperative agreements between the United States and 22 other countries on peaceful applications of atomic energy (5 others were pending as of December 31); steadily increasing international exchange of technical information on various phases of atomic developments; progress in the establishment of an International Atomic Energy Agency; and announcement by the Commission of a price for enriched uranium leased to cooperating nations under bilateral agreements (along with sales prices for normal uranium and heavy water). While moving forward with the international Atoms-for-Peace program, the Commission continued its domestic activities at an accelerating pace. The pattern was formed for further AEC provisions to encourage private enterprise in the development of an atomic energy industry, and for applying the necessary regulations and licensing arrangements under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Proposed regulations were published in the Federal Register for public comment, and the regulations themselves are being issued as soon as completedthe first in January 1956. A constant flow of applications for access permits from a wide variety of industries, trades, and professions testified to the interest of private organizations and individuals in obtaining access to restricted data on civilian uses. An accelerated program of reviewing Commission reports and other papers useful in civilian applications and declassifying or downgrading whenever possible was entered upon. 1 This report notes certain events that have occurred subsequent to the reporting period. |