ee i te 8 Alfred D. Starbird -3- operation of Johnston even though there is not a direct weapons program use of that Atoll in prospect for the near future. It appears that such continuation makes good sense from a national interest standpoint and even more that our ERDA interests would be severely impacted if the existing Pacific support base were not continued. I urge that you and your staff recognize the high importance we place upon our Pacific commitments and that in evaluating the future Government/contractor role in that area you take full account of our programmatic needs, which are non-weapons in character, but which result directly from atmospheric testing in the Pacific. /s/ James L. Liverman James L. Liverman Assistant Administrator for Environment and Safety a