altitude than those presently planned from Johnston Island and a
tentative detonation location in the South Atlantic was suggested,
SRY
The shot
was now planned in some detail , including the date (about 1 September),
the method of launch, the location, etc.
Loper said that after a decision
has been made to proceed with the shot,
the State Department , AEC,
and DOD could meet jointly with the President and Killian to obtain
Presidential approval,
‘''Strauss said he appreciated the importance
to US defense planning of the information to be obtained from the proposed
shot.
However, he expressed concern over the possible overtones of this
test and observed that if the shot were carried out at the proposed location,
the US would not be in a position to object to weapons testing by the USSR
in international waters, "'
Meeting #1361, 24 April 58:
Along the lines of the..potential Argus tests, : Starbird reported that he
had received a telegram from Teller responding to questions in cornection
with the special weapons test proposed for later inthe year.
Teller, he
said, had stated that there would be no eye damage to observers of the
shot and that there would be no perceptable effects at surface level.
Starbird said he had communicated this information to Dr. Al Graves
who is presently in the Pacific test area. ''
Starbird suggested that a
briefing be prepared for the next GAC meeting to obtain their views and
that plans for the shot preceed right away, and that the President and
Department of State be notified of the plans, a
procedure approved by the
Commission
70