As to why the announcement was made at this time, I would
cite two factors.
First, I just approved the expansion of the program,
Second, U.S., U.K. and U.S.S.R. scientists will be discussing,
among other things at their May lith meeting, national programs
under way or contemplated.
our plans public.
In the light of this, we wished to make
QUESTION
lr. President, a summary of recent Congressional hearings on the technical aspects of detecting and identifying nuclear explosions was released
the other day by the Joint »tomic nergy Committee. The summary's
appraisal of the feasibility of policing a ban on underground tests was
quite pessimistic. In view of the difficulties summarized in this release,
does the United States intend to reappraise its present position in the
Geneva test ban negotiations?
ALSVER
We have proposed a controlled treaty which would ban all nucl a
weapons tests in the atmosphere, the oceans, at high altitudes and
above a seismic magnitude of 4.75 in the underground area.
‘This
proposal was tiade on the basis of a worldwide control system as
recommended in 1958 by the Geneva technical Conference of Experts.
Vie believe that in terms of our present proposal this system will
provide for the controls we deem as necessary and adequate.
For smail underground disturbances below the seismic threshold
of 4.75 there is no question but, that, if tests in this area are to
be banned we will need an improved control system. It was precisely
for this reason that we suggested that a research prorram be carried
out to determine just what improvements could be made to nermit
REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHTD. EISENHOWER LIBRARY
adequete controls to be established over this area,