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WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS
AO50
ARMED FORCES SPECIAL WEAPONS PROJECT
P.O. BOX 2610
WASHINGTON, D.C.
IN REPLY REFER TO:
20 June 1947
PsreD)
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHAIRMAN, ATOMIC EXERGY COMMISSION:
Via?
Military Liaison Cemmittee
Subject:
Atomic Energy Commission Support fer Scientific
Resurvey of Bikini Atoll.
1.
At the joint meeting of AEC and MLC on 18 June, 1947 the
question of technical suppert by the Atomic Energy Commission of
the Scientific Resurvey of Bikini Atell was discussed, The queetion
left unresolved related to the necessity fer radie chemical neasure~
nents to be performed on samples in the field. In previous discussion it had been pointed out that radio chemical laboratories in
the United States, for example, Berkeley, Los Alamos, and Oak Rifgee,
would naturally be equipped to perform much nore thoreugh analyses of
samples shipped back from Bikini,
Thus it was reasoned that the
principal scientific need at Bikini would be in connection with
selection of significant samples.
Ze
It was agreed in the joint meeting of 18 June that further
discussion with scientific groups involwed in the Bikini resurvey would
be conducted to determine the justification fer radie chemical analyses
in the field.
These discussions have been held,
The compelling reason
for being Able te perform radie chemical anelyses at Bikini is that
without such analyses there will be essentially random sampling,
whereas with radio chemistry available the sampling will be direct and
collection of significant samples will be practically aseured.
3.
In view of the above, it is requested that the Atomic Energy
Commission include in its support of the Scientific Resurvey of
Bikini Atoll support of the radio chemical analysis to be performed
at Bikini to the extent of making available up to six qualified
technical personnel for this purpose.
URSETE
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Deputy Chief
Armed Forces Special Weapons Project
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