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ANSt a a” ort ale
REPORT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL BY
THE FEDERAL CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINISTRATOR
ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PANEL ON THE
HUMAN EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR WEAFONS DEVELOFMENT
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1.
On February 8, 1957, the President approved NSC Action
dealing with the Panel report on the above subject.
Action is quoted:
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public education and action should be undertaken
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field, and (2) if such a program is to be undert
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should be its specific content and proposed limits
Defense
ing the study and recommendations, the Federal Ci
Administrator should take account of the possible Aifficulties involved in such a program, including those
ich are
set forth in paragraph 6 of the reference memoran
of
January 29, 1957 (Memo for NSC from Executive Secretary)."
2.
Paragraph 6 of the reference memorendum is also quoted
venient reference:
for con=
"6. Certain aspects of the Panel's proposal for a 'prdgram of psychological defense' have caused the Planning Board very co siderable
concern:
"a. The Panel acknowledges that such a program me ry produce
certain negative reactions by the American public as t porary or
minority phenomena (pp. 13, 17, 19). It is quite poss{ble, however, that such negative results as apathy or hysteria growth of
preventive-war or peace-at-any-price sentiment, and ot er difficulties for the Government, may be much more significan it than estimated.
"b.
Such 8 program, in itself, without extensive supplementary
programs, is estimated to have little effect upon the Poe te destructiveness of an attack (p. 14). The limited natur of the civil
etFe
defense program so far, and the changing bases on whic it has operated, have not been conducive to providing reassurance | The Panel
points out that the strengthening of the civil defense program is an
essential supplement to its proposal (p. 13). If such strengthening
is to occur, it should probably be firmly committed be fore initiation of the ‘program of psychological defense' contemp ated by the
Panel. Even with an adequate civil defense program, there is a
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limit to what individuals can do, and therefore, to thp
ment' and reassurance provided.
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