.
vole
—
oat
:
2.
793rd AEC
Meeting
Toppa
ts
ere
Jromtgegnetenaem
GSS ee
“
sO
eR Ne cere aie
,
re
Proposed Change of Date for Operation CASTLE
:
i
Mr. Murray initiated the discussion by asking why it
&
General Fields replied that Mr.
we
Bradbury
had written asking for permission to take preliminary steps
Z
Gg
in the development of thermonuclear weapons, which,
5
would make
it extremely difficult,
if taken,
if not impossible,
1
to
carry out the tests in the fall of 195
53+ _ (see AEC 597/2) _,
poe
meen
ble)
It is a case of having a tested weapon at an
earlier date.
Mr, Dean said that it is not now certain that the test
wiil be postponed untit gst although it is highly probable.
However, because of the ‘uncertainty At would:-be unwie to
disband the task force,
Mr.
Zuckert said that we should
continue a requirement for a task force in late 1953 in the’
event that it is necessary,
The military position is indeed in-
consistent in that they ask for an early emergency capability
but are reluctant to support one.
He pointed out that the mem-
bers otthe| MLC do not really have the_Pesponsibility toact on Phis
this manner:
The issue might be put to the MLC in
RES Re
5
Does the DOD have an over-riding priority for
a tested weapon in the fall of 1953 and if so, is this
eK
lo
priority high enough that they are willing to risk a failure
~
r
.
and the eventual postponement of the development of more
aS
i
3
a
5
:
a&
juages :
fae
in
\ certain weapons as a result of holding this early test?
1B
Cc
r
a
m2 pn © in the MLC meeting until the primary issue has been dis-
3
2
Zz
Ble)
lot
ole o
SIAL op
212 rn
a] a
oe
t<
\
Sala He added that the task force issue should not be brought up
Te
IPe
Geos7a
task force problem.
5
TERRE
e re
rs
i
ssed. (ur. Dean suggested that the Commission should fluid
aia
ro
ro
bat act on this matter formally at this time. After Further is
U
MSG 1g
at discussion
the Commission:
f
.“
el
ue
a. NOTED that the proposal to defer CASTLE would be
sedwith:‘the MLC y~-and 3 bebad
b" DEFERRED action on AEC 597/'.
_GHOIFTREWAR
ce
woe
boy
awe
was necessary, to decide on the timing of CASTLE at this
particular time.
.
y
.
ww fD
Boe