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€... OF THE SECRETSARY OF DEFEN
WASHINGTON2g, D. C.
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MAY 22 1957
Dear Mr. Strauss:
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Your letter of May 10, 1957 to the Chairman, Military Liaison
Committee indicated that the Commission is considering the use of
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DECLASSIFIED BY AUTHUHI iY
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' Taongi Atoll for the purpose ef conducting suclear experiments. Your
letter requested a Department of Defense opinion as to the desirability
of such use of Taowgi Atoll, a statement of the Departwent's ability
to support the additional site and comcurrence in arrangements for its
use.
The Department agrees that there are some very desirable features - -- “ re
in the proposal, particularly with regard to the reduced probability
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of fallout on inhabited areas. These features were considered in
Telation to the initial cost of placing the Atoll im operation and
the additional cost involved im the Department's support of a new
test site. In view of the already high estimated costs of the
Department's share of the Hardtack program, we are looking for ways to
teduce, rather than to increase, costs. Consideration was also giver
to the likely public reaction to an announcement that an additional
test site had been obtained in the face of an apparent international
trend toward limitation of testing.
On the basis of these considerations the Department of Defense
|
has concluded it would mot be desirable to undertake the proposed
use of Taongi Atoll at this time.
Sincerely
yours,
DEPARIN
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Honorable Lewis L. Straube.
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