aes

Meeting #1391, Sue
17 July58:_
On the subject of

|

Cob
:

eure

ors

development of clean weapons, Libby said that the

NC

‘current Hardtack tests had demonstrated that the US had achieved a
“remarkable breakthrough in the development of clean nuclear weapons, "
‘With the other commissioners in agreement, he expressed his feelings that
the Commission should renew its efforts to convince the DOD to increase
their requirements for clean weapons and McCone said he would arrange
a meeting with the Ics for the AEC

to discuss this question and have the

laboratory directors present for the meeting.

ellen

Starbird responded to this[message on 17 July saying that he agreed in part and
ren - sree,

disagreed in part and stating the following opinion.

While underground shots cause Z Hf

much less unfavorable coment, protest which is net necessarily based on rational

fact is directed towards entirely stopping testing.

Starbird says, "I do believe,

therefore, it behooves us to limit our testing to the degree possible without impeding

weapon development.”

As for tests in 59, he hopés the number aboveground can be

minimized and those done on balloons, with as many tests as possible done underground.
He agrees with Teller that he would like to go to a continuous testing posture but points
out in particular fact that this is too expensive and that he is already looking for
ways of diverting funds in FY 59 from other activities to cover testing and preparations.
Finally, he states again that he requires a tentative plan of snecific tests from each
laboratory.

.

Select target paragraph3