—S-E-C-R-E-E14. There is a propaganda advantage to the proving of our
contention that we can make "clean" weapons.
On the other hand,
there are possible propaganda disadvantages as described in
paragraph 9 above.
We do not feel qualified to evaluate the
balance between advantages and disadvantages.
15. An alternate approach might be taken which would be less
difficult put less convincing.
shot,
Observers might be invited to one
allowing them to measure the total yield by simple
instrumentation and be told the general percent of "cleanliness"
(say 5 - 10%).
Failure to permit more sophisticated instrumenta-
tion could be explained as not possible without revealing important
design information.
One of the smaller "clean" weapons might be
that observed but only after a successful prior firing,
16. We do not know how strongly the President feels as to our
making an effort to prove a shot "clean".
The staff believes it
needs to discuss this problem with the Commission to secure
Commission guidance.
CONCURRENCES
17. The Divisions of Intelligence, Classification, and
Information Services, and the Offices of Operations Analysis and
Planning and the General Counsel concur in the recommendation of
this paper.