Rotblat refers to BR's illness, and is concerned with the stalemate in the Geneva negotiations on the Test-Ban Agreement. After reading a transcript of the Soviet proposal, Rotblat is confused in regarding their attitude and doubts if they really are interested in a test ban. This worries Rotblat as he feels that if progress is not made in Geneva soon, the Americans will resume testing.

"I spent last week in Oslo attending Pauling's Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, and I had many discussions with American colleagues on this matter. Several of us felt very strongly that we should use any influence we have with the Soviet scientists to urge them on to ask their government to see reason. It was on my instigation that a cable was sent to Topchiev, Fedorov and Skobeltzyn from three American scientists, Inglis, Orear, and Pauling. I enclosed the text of this cable" (record 117506).

Rotblat also encloses the text of a cable he is hoping to send to the Russians and asks BR for his opinion (record 117507).

There is a handwritten copy of BR's positive response to the cable, at the foot of this letter (record 117508).