July 25, 1963 - The United States, the Soviet Union, and Britain concluded today a treaty to prohibit nuclear testing in the atmosphere, in space, and under water. The Western delegates to the three-power talks were unable to persuade Mr. Gromyko to accept international on-site inspection to verify the nature of seismic disturbances. The treaty, therefore, does not cover underground nuclear testing. The historic document was initialed at 7:15 p.m., Moscow time, by Averell Harriman (right), Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko (left), and Viscount Hailsham, British Minister of Science. Mr. Harriman, who appeared tired but happy after 10 days of intensive negotiations, said the test-ban treaty would relieve the fears of people all over the world about nuclear contamination of the atmosphere. He expressed the hope that other nations would adhere to the test ban treaty, which provides for the addition of other members. Mr. Harriman has requested an appointment with Premier Khrushchev tomorrow to discuss the results of the conference. He has arranged to leave Saturday for Washington to report to President Kennedy and to brief members of Congress on the treaty. The treaty, after signing, would be subject to parliamentary ratification by the U.S. Senate, the Supreme Soviet, and the British Parliament.
