407756 Dear Mr. Walah: Qn behalf of the Departaent of Defense and the Atonle Energy Com= uissien, I am inviting the major media in the United States to par~ tioipate, on a posled basis, dn the public reporting of a megaten yield moleer detonation scheduled for about May 1, 1956, at the Qomniseion's Exiwetok Proving Ground. The tebal nusber of newamen and technicians who ere being invited te attend is liatted to 15, With the exception of the wire services, each of wiich hes been allotted ane representative, the coverage will be on a pooled basis, Honolulu will be the point of assembly ani disexbarkntion, The neva~ men will defray the cost of transportation to Henclulu and return and the expenses for meals for the duration of the observer progran, This invitetion to you ani the other msjor media is for the purpose of reporting of the events associated with the explosion of a high yield miclear device, Through the facilities ef the world-<ide medie of the United States, this benefit will extent to the people of ell nations. Through beckground triefings and tours of som parts of the installa= tions at the Proving Qround, we will try to mike it possible for the newamen to provide the publio with a full picture of the complex op= eration involved in an overseas weapon teat ant the many safety measures taken in the public interest, There vill be no censorship ef printed copy and radio brasdcasting,. Al) newsmen and technicians must be United States citizens ani, through the precedures of the Office of Public Informatian, Department of De~ fanse, De accredited to the Joint Test Information Offices set up by the of Defense and the Comaission, There will be ons representative each from the Associated Presa, the International Hews Service and the United Preas, We are requesting the Press Gallery to designate tvo corresponients as pool reporters for nevepapers, The method of selection is at your discretion but we wee AEE MWR Hb we Usa JU suggest that one represent the morning papers and the other the after~ noon papers, Die? COPY AVAILABLE