SE -SRCRER—
resources in this matter, we cannot positively assure that no one
would receive such damage. In view of the nature of our.
responsibility towards these people, we feel that we cannot accept
the lack of an absolute assurance in.this regard and have there-
fore decided not to conduct these tests at the Eniwetok Proving
Ground .
Due to the extreme importance of these tests to our national
security, we have studied the matter of conducting them safely at
some other location, The results of preliminary studies indicate
that we can condust these tests most safely at Johnston Island,
We are therefore planning, with the concurrence of the Department
of Defense, to conduct these tests at Johnston Island as a part
of Operation HARDTACK. It is our present objective that these
tests will take place prior
to or in September of this year,
Sincerely yours,
[sf
W, F. Libby
Acting Chairman
Honorable Carl T. Durham
Chairman, Joint Committee on
Atomic Energy
Congress of the United States
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