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OFFICIAL USE ONLY
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
ISSUANCE OF AEC REGULATION TO PROHIBIT INTERFERENCE
WITH HARDTACK NUCLEAR TEST SERIES
Report by the General Counsel
1, Early in January of this year the Atomic Energy
Commission received a copy of a letter addressed to the President
from the Committee for Non-Violent Action against Nuclear Weapons.
This letter informed the President that four members of the
Committee plan to sail a thirty-foot ketch into the danger area
encompassing the Bikini and Eniwetok atolls in the Marshall
Islands in protest of the HARDTACK nuclear test series which the
Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Defense have
announced will begin in April at the Eniwetok Proving Ground.
The ketch 1s to remain in the danger area, "come what may," in
an effort to halt the test activities.
2, On March 25th, the ketch, which is named the "Golden
Rule" sailed from San Pedro, California, presumably, upon the
basis of earlier announcements, bound for the Hawaiian Islands
as a first stop, and from there to proceed to the danger area.
With normal weather conditions, the "Golden Rule" should arrive in
the Hawaiian Islands two weeks from date of departure.
3. Any delay of the HARDTACK test series
caused by the
presence of the "Golden Rule" in the danger area would measurably
detract from its efficient and early completion.
If the "Golden
Rule" sails into or within the close vicinity of the danger area,
such a delay may result,
It is imperative,
therefore, trat some
means of action be developed which will prevent the crew of the
"Golden Rule" from carrying out its announced intention of
interference,
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