OFFICIAL USE ONLY
General Starbird said that in considering locations for
the shot, two important considerations were involved:
(1) should
the shot be carried out at Eniwetok with the possibility of re-
sulting flash blindness for anyone witnessing the shot; and (2)
would the Commission be willing to establish a new danger area
if an alternative location is selected.
He also remarked that the
instrumented satellite which was recently orbited to telemeter
information on the shot would be burned out if the shot is delayed
for a considerable period of time,
Mr. Strauss said he had visited Johnston Island and believed
this would be a satisfactory location.
He added that in view of
the possibility of flash blindness for natives on atolls in the
vicinity of Eniwetok, he could not support holding the shot
there,
Mr, Libby remarked that he also would favor Johnston
Island.
At this point Mr. Floberg and Mr. Dunning entered the
meeting.
Mr. Libby commented on the possibility of a smaller shot to
obtain the desired information as well as the question of delaying the shot if the TEAK is to be fired at another location.
General Starbird said that if the shot were to be fired elsewhere,
the delay and extended length of the series could be explained by
pointing out that the open shot for U.N. observers had required
additional time.
He added that there 1s a compensating factor
involved if the TEAK shot is moved to another location since the
danger area in the Trust Territory would be dropped at an earlier
date than originally announced and the new danger area would not
affect international shipping as much as the Eniwetok danger area,
Mr. Graham inguired about the danger area to be established
if the shot is fired at Johnston Island and the relationship of