Chief of Naval Operations Department of the Navy Dear Sir: This is in answer to your letter of 5 January 1953, OPe365/ CJL, Ser: 00582P36, subject: "Danger Area for Overation CASTLE", : As you have recommended, the Atomic Energy Commission will request the Department of State to inform the United-Nations Security Council that Bikini and its territorial waters cone stitute a closed aree, > We mw believe it desirable, however, to withhold this request until a more appropriate later time, Until this action is taken, and the information on Atomic Energy Commission activities at Bikini is officially released by collateral action, information on these activities in general is classified as Restricted, Security Information, Spe_ cific questions, of course, may bear higher or lower classi-~ fications. As to establishment of a Danger Area around Bikini, at the time when it is decided to proceed with the closure of the territorial weters, we will inform you of that, fact and request you then act to institute the Danger Area, Meanwhile, however, we would like to reach an agreement as to the size of the Danger Area sc that action may proceed exneditiously when requested. It is therefore recommended that the eastern boundary of the Danzer Area outlined by CINCPAC be moved westward from 166°28' to 166°16' east longitude so as to exclude Ailingnae Island, Exclusion of this island from the danger area has been strongly urged by the Trust Territoy Goverrmment and the Denartment cf the Interior beceuse its use is esservial tw the subsistence of the Ronzelap netives, Other om 5 . ‘ wise we concur with the proposed dimensions of the Danzer Area ani the ections you propose, DOR 2° We would appreciate your comments on this recommended chanze. Sincerely yours 7 ; . FATS PAGE ONLY MASSIFICATION CANCELLED AUTHORITY, DOE/SA-20 wee eee HO eluate by ics Encl, 10 CQ General Manager , p SLR ,