American Intelligence Estimates And Countermeasures Against The French Nuclear Weapons Program (1946-1974)

Postwar, CEA which is engaged in research of atomic energy for the interests of science, industry and national defense was set up in October 18, 1945 in view of the importance of atomic energy by France. From then on, France had started to develop their nuclear energy and nuclear deterrent independently. At the same time France which did not announce to stop atmospheric nuclear test until 1974 has took an uncompromising stand on the challenge in control and anti-control of nuclear with America. France had never dreamt that its development of atomic energy had already spied by the United States.The declassified documents shows that America had begun to spy on and gather intelligences of the French nuclear weapons program since 1946."Anyone which intent to develop nuclear weapons is the target spied by America, whether it is a friend or a foe". The development of French atomic energy is the focus to America in the early days afterwar. America believes that France has capability to develop nuclear weapons adequately just in natural resources, equipment and personnel after several years of basic research; America had paid most attention to the French nuclear weapons program and sure that France has posses a nuclear deterrent which is"triune", independently and limited. Ensuring monopoly position in Western Alliance is the base in American nuclear policymaking to France and American consistent policy is to prevent the development of France nuclear deterrent. America tried to control the nuclear weapons of France instead of prevention to weaken the independence of their nuclear weapons. American nuclear policy to France is very unreasonable which is result in fight back by France. America had to make some compromises to collaborate with France on nuclear technology which is single-track and limited in confidence to help France develop nuclear weapons in order to ease up the inconsistency between America and France greatly and make sure that the France will be around the United States closely.Generally speaking, American intelligence estimates against the French nuclear weapons program started early and keeps a long time, it also related to all aspects of the development of the French nuclear weapons and contains efforts of the CIA, the U.S. Pacific Command and so on which have used some advanced instrument just like U-2. From the results of its estimates, it is in time and more accurate although vary slightly which gives some beneficial suggestions to America. It's not difficult to see that national interest is substantive factor which exert on the relationship between the nations from it. A so-called friendly alliance is a benefit alliance only which is set up by common interests and not so strongly.