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REPOSITORY Cobly
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rouen MAA) Hondltesd, Vv /
Honorable Herbert B. Loper
Chairman, Military Liaison Comittee
to the Atomic Energy Commission
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408512
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COLLECTION -S¢drendory
BOX No. —326-93700)
Copies, Series
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BEST COPY AVAL &
Dear General Loper:
The Atomic Energy Commission is considering the occupancy and use of
Atal for the condust of nuclear experiments. The use of
aongl as a firing site in addition to Enivetok and Bikini has
certain very desirable featyres. From the standpoint of fallout,
Taongi is a safer place to detonate high yield devices than either
Bikini or Eniwetok. The greater distances from Taongi to the inhabited
areas of the Marshall Islands and its superior position with respect
to direction from these areas are distinct advantages and give increased
assurance against the repetition of fallout incidents such as that which
occurred in March 1954.
At the same time the greater ease of firing
large shots from Taongi will have advantages in reducing the length of
a test operation. It is estimated that Operation HARDTACK as presently
planned vould probably be shortened by about three weeks if Taongi is
used, and in addition Taongl may be the only place where it is feasible
to test any of the very large yield weapons.
It is planned that all firings at Taongi would be barge shots and all
diagnostic data normally taken from land would be secured from a ship.
The use of Taongi Atoll as an additional test site during Operation
HARDTACK would require some afditional military support.
requirements have been discussed with the JIF-7 staff.
‘The support
If Taongi is to be used there must of necessity be coordination with
the Departments of State and Interior. After concurrence by these
agencies we would request the President to close Taongi Atoll for
security reasons and notify the Security Council of the United Nations,
as was done in the case of Eniwetok and Bikini.
CLASSIFICATION CANCELLED
OFFICE p»
BY AUTHORITY OF DOE/O
___
SURNAME p>
DATE p>»
|.
Form AEC-318 (Rev. 9-53)
—_
BD. 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Ha—z A.d.2. Yroy
CONFIRMED BE UNCLASSIFIED
16—62761-3
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