Sateen cette sntinlnntdie seekant)acetedeeaaee iar hateaeaneetiie eee
-
“+
.
oe
aa
Japanese. Furthermore, the fact of a detonation can be, and has been,
noted long range by a brief interruption in all radio communications, which
occurs only at the time of a detonation to prevent interference with experimentation. A continuous signal is transmitted on at least one long range
radio link from Eniwetok to Los Alamos except for the brief interruption at
shot time. It is possible, of course, to have identical interruptions at approximately the same time each day, but the Japanese have been able to
detect shock waves and report the fact of dctonations of substantial yields
without the use of this signal interruption. Such observations have also been
made by nonparticipating personnel on previous PPG operations,
*Unless there fs a definite substantial security benefit, it is strongly
recommended that the mere fact of a detonation need not be considered
classified, even though an official announcement is not made. This would
not authorize public release of the detonation until official announcement;
however, it - u!d materially relleve the unnecessary security interference
with the operation, and at the same time minimize ine resuiting disrespect
of real security matters by their dilution with pisueda-security matters.
The situation on proposed shot dates, specifically the D—3 to D—1
dates, is of even less significance because there are always many more
such dates than actual detonations. A completely anomalcus situation has
arisen on this score.
In preparation for a shot, it is necessary to have
conspicuously pusted on biackboards, at several points in the compound,
identification of shot name, shot date, and acoll loqation-for all forthcoming
detonations at least from the D-3 to D-—1 stage
If such information were
placed on a piece of paper and 13it unsécured 1. an office, an individual
would be charged with a security violation, but the identical infort.ation re‘mains posted 24 hours a day in at least two locations within the same administrative compound.
Furthermore, a mimeographed announcement is placed on every bed
on eachatoll at a fixed time before a detonation, indicating that a shot will
be detonated and at which atoll. Tne night before the shot, a sound truck
travels through all open areas anaouncing the exact date and time of detonation and the required safety precautions, which to a large extent are a
function of yield and lovation of the shot within the atoll. Also, for opevational reasons, including safety, open radio circuits of presumably short
range are used to communicate wiihin and between the atolls giving such
information.
*The Task Force has ruled that the information is unclassified at the
atoll but Confidential Defense Information outside the atoll. It is questioned
whether such information may retain two separate classifications, and, even
if legally justified, whether or not it {s reasonable to expect the large number of individuals of varying background and areess to realize that such
meee
,
er
Sn ee ele ee he ne Neentome Le ee nillatelen witnlitin,
coe