General Manager's Monthly Report 1, OperationsAnalysis With reference to a question raised by the McKinney Panel>, M-r. Quackenboss presented an analysis of some of the effects of a drastic reduction in the cost. of uranium ore, He observed that the | cost of nuclear power is not greatly affected by the cost of uranium. Assuming a requirement for enriched material, the diffusion plant would strip uraniumto a tails concentration of .42% even if the ore were free, and consequently, costs would still be appreciable. 2. International Affairs Mr. Gardner reported that the Agreement for Cooperation with Thailand would be ‘signed in Bangkok on March 13 by the Secretary of State, who would also present an unclassified technical library. Mir, Gardner then reported on other events of interest and remarked that the Argonne Reactor Scheol expected a total of 67 applicants, After some discussion concerning the background of the students, Mr. Libby requested a study of comparative class compositions of “:e ANL Reactor School. (See AEC 267/27, cubsequently circulated.) The Commissioners briefly discussed the forthcoming meeting of the UN Scientific Committee on Radiation. Mr, Libby commented on the lack of biological scientists, specifically a geneticist, on the UN Secretary General's staff, Mr. Libby then referred to an announcement on genetics by the \merican Federation of Scientists. In this connection he observed that the FeJeration had indicated their agreement with AEC that weapons tests were no more hazardous genetically than natural background radiation. He suggested consideration of a resolution for submission to the UN Scientific Committee on Radiation concerning agreement among the members of such scientific facts regarding radiatica, W.r, Strauss said that the Brazilian Ambassador had indicated that Brazil vould like to begin negotiation on a power reactor bilateral - 165 -