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territory could be used for nuclear testing purposes.
In fact the first
nuclear test took place at Fikini in 1946 while the Agreement was being
drafted.
“hen there was some discussion at the meeting of the Security
Council on cutting down the authority of the U. S. as administering
authority Senator Austin, the U. S. representative said that if such
amendments were aratkmat adopted the U. S. would withdrawiits offer and
administer the islands outside of the trusteeship system.
|
In other wofds State's position im the past has been that the U. 5S.
has 6 clear right under the Trusteeship Agreement tc use limited portions
of the territcry for testing.
Further, the U. 5. did not request the
approval or concurrence of the Trusteeship Council in specifically setting
aside Bikini and Eniwetok as closed areas for the purpose of conducting
nuclear tests.
Instead the U. S. representative simply informed the J. N.
that these two atolls were teing so used, in accordance with the provisions
of the Trusteeship Agreement.
This last information was checked with Mr.
Dwight Craner of State (without, of course, bringing up the cuestion of
Taongi).
It therefore appears that legally the cuestion of establishing
Taongi as an additional testing site in the trust territories would be ts. ut
handled in the same way.
This opinion has not been checked with State. |
In view of these facts, Mr. Parks feels that, pending an actual
referral to State, we can say that our legal position on the use of Taongi
is satisfactory.
However, before proceeding further we should get con-: > 2%
firmation of this legal opinion from State.
a
OLSso0s
Duncan Clark and Rod Bouthwick felt certain that the Russians wouldmake
the most they could of our baking: over an additional atoll for test purposes.
fii wee
ORR
The question was raised as to whether Taongi.‘is ased‘tor’ gathe!
copra or for fishing as loss of these uses would then he important.
Branch knows of no copra
- fishing .ag}jvities at Taongi.
Next they we .