a,
SECRET.
a. Secure from DOD a reaffirmation of its requirements
for the FIR, with assurance of support tothe AEC vis-a-vis
the BOB,
Both AEC and DOD may continue investigations
of alternative sources, as desired, but not to the detriment
of the FIR project; or,
b. Alternatively, secure from DOD a release from the
AEC commitment to provide a reactor gamma source, with AEC
agreeing to assist the DOD in exploring the possibility
of obtaining a gamma source other than a reactor,
III. OPERATION HARDTACK
(Suggested by AEC)
1. By letter of August 13, 1957 (AEC 952/13), the Commission
advised the Secretary of Defense that the President had approved
commencing Operation HARDTACK on April 1, 1958.
This letter also
pointed out that the President expressed doubt as to the necessity
for the number of shots, approximately 25, we had indicated as
probably necessary, and directed that planned firings be screened
and held to the smallest number practicable without losing
essential defense objectives.
2. The directors of the weapons laboratories are scheduled
to brief the Commission on their HARDTACK shot proposals on
October 22,
Subsequently, it is suggested that the HARDTACK
program be considered further at the AEC-MLC meeting on October 24,
In addition to the necessity for holding the number of shots to
a minimum, continued effort is being given to reducing the result-~ing world-wide fallout.
3. Also of immediate interest is the possibility of Foreign
Observers,
The President, in his press conference of July 3, 1957,
while discussing clean weapons,
stated that if another test is
made, he would invite other countries to observe such tests and
to determine the resulting fallout.
On September 19, Secretary
Dulles, in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly
stated, "We shall invite the United Nations to send observers to
one of our next tests so that they can see how these tests are
We are currently considering what proposed shots
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S
ae
conducted,"
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