4,
On 31 January 1950, the President directed the Atomic
Energy Commission to proceed with a determination of the feasibility of construction of a so-called H-Bomb in the interest of
national security.
5.
Two announcements have been released jointly by AEC-DOD
concerning Operation IVY:
A.
Plans for a new test series and the organization of JTF-132 were announced on 18 February 1952.
(Annex "A.")
B.
Plans for the tests to be held, “in the autumn
months of this year" and, "looking toward the development of atomic weapons" were announced on 9 September
1952.
(annex "B")
6,
There hes been sporadically heavy press speculation on
the IVY tests, centcring principally upon the possibilities of
an "H-Bomb" test.
Tit
DISCUSSION
7.
‘Preliminary efforts at formulation of a plan for the
release of public information for Operation IVY resulted in the
early realization that final determination of a plan would be
made at a government level higher than that at which tne information plans for previous operations were resolved,
This conclusion was besed upon thc belief that the outcome of the
thermonuclear experiment will exert greater impact upon U.S.
Foreign Relations and Domestic Opinion than the results of previous
tests.
8,
The National Security Council, acting on a detailed
study conducted by an Ad Hoe Panel of the Psychological Strategy
Board,
adopted the
following
tion on Operation IVY:
from the
course
for the release
two announcements
of
A.
Aside
B.
Following "MIKE" Shot, an announcement may
informa-
previously
issued by AEC-DOD on Operation IVY, no additional
information will be released prior to the tests.
be issued by the Chairman of the AEC if an announcement is deemed necessary as a result of heavy rumor
or speculation in the United States, or of foreign
powers detecting tne test and commenting upon it.
C.
Following "KING" Shot an announcement on
completion of the test program will be issued by
the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
D.
There will be no press conference following
the operation.