stock pile during the moratorium #8worthwhile testing some versions of low megaton yield those. Specifically, Livermore wanted to test the 56 new warhead for the Polaris system and | guess this section really ought to be written with a shot list in front of one. was where could such tests be conducted. Operationally, the first problem While the U.S. had not formally a MewteL(os. given up the Eniwetok proving grounds in 1958, the resistence of the Maesh steawes natives to further testing in that region had become quite clear. The repurcugions in the U.N.) were we to go back were feared on the part of the federal govenment. Nevertheless, discrete inquiries were made. State Department advised promptly that we should not reconsider the Marshal! islands. There were many possible methods of testing but the prefered method was similar to that which had been used previously at Eniwetok of placing the devices on a well-moored barge, firing by land mines and making observations with a stable geometry. If that method could not be achieved, then surface shots on the land would be preferable. However, at this Time, ce became clear that whatever we did should be done in such a manner as to reduce fall-out as much as possible where fall-out varied between a requirement for low intensity local fall-out and requirement for low intensity remote fall-out, hence meaning high intensity local fall-out. Other/ inhabited sites such as Taongi, French Frigate Schoalls, Baker !sland were considered but rejected for operational reasons. Christmas Island had been mentioned but the initial reaction was unfavorable because the island was claimed by the British. The basic requirements for a site for experimental test devices, detonations was that it be reusable that the distance from the shotsthe fireball cameras be precisely known, i.e., within approximately 1% of the distance, and that xke it be within range of sampler aircraft. in about October or November 1961, Eventually, it was clear that the test organization could not meet the hoped-for test operational dates unless it began preparing tf