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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Gordon Iv.. Dunning Manuel Dupkin II Comdr. Charles E. Nelson Comdr. John W. Crawford
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\P 01 by on Governmerit Financed Power Reactors. AEC 262/94 - Extension of E. .1. dup ont de Nemours & Company, Inc., Contract. f. Commission Attendance at Operation REDWING. g. Presentation of Citation to Dr. Zinn. h. Letter from Senator Jackson Regarding Custody i. JCAE Hearing on Authorization Biil and Le~islation to Increase Executive Positions and Salareis. Nuclear 1?repelled Merchant Ship. Midwest Accelerator Program. AEC 226/79 - Draft Letter to Mr. Stassen Commenting on Disarmament Study. m. stats Depastrncat Position on Weapons Testing. n, Items of Xnformatiorx (2) Visit to Los Alamos and Abuquegaue bv thq Secretary of the Army *separate minutes for this part of the meeting have been C=C=
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(3) Ceremonies at New Headquarters Building. 2. AEC 787/24 - Joint A EC -DOD Information Plan for Operation Mr. Salisbury reviewed the proposed method to be used in handling information on the progress of Operation REDWING during the three or four months of tests. Mr. Salisbury pointed out that it would be necessary to consider the declassification of the approximate date of the first shot, before the issuance of the press release and the letter to the After further discussion, the Commission a. Approved the AEC -DOD Joint Infer mation b. Authorized the establishment of a Joint Test Information Office as provided for in the Information c. Noted that the Joint Test Information Office will prepa=e, as deemed necessary by the Commission and the Department of Defense, announcements that a shot has taken place on a certain date, at any time subsequent to the detonation; d. Noted that when announcements of detonations are is su~tie yield will be stated in terms of e. Noted that if all detonations were to be announc~tie revelation of the total number will
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require declassification from Confidential, f. Noted that the Plan provides for subsequent addition of special information projects which may include an uncleared observer program; g. Noted that the plan includes provision for h. Noted that in view of possible international repercu=s of such nature as to affect the national interest, a flexible procedure is established to take i. Noted that official background material and reporti~spot news is to be prepared to respond to the extent possible to the expected requests from U.S. media and as a means for having material available, if necessary, to combat unfavorable reaction j. Noted that the Joint Information Plan for Oper@ti~EDWING is before the Department of Defense for approval; and k. Noted that a letter notifying the JCAE of the Info-on Plan will be transmitted after coordination of the plan with other Executive The Commission, also: Determined that the a~Droximte date of the fir st shot of Operation without constituting an REbWING may be published undue risk to the common
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Mr. Strauss referred to the lack of press interest in the recent North American Aviation 8nd General Electric press releases regarding their foreign contracts, and suggested that consideration be given to means of publicly emphasizing these contracts. Mr. Libby asked that companies be requested to routinely furnish A EC with copies of public statements concerning their atomic energy activities. Mr. Strauss observed that this would be a means of keeping the President informed of progress under research reactor bilateral agreements. 3. AEC 903- Action in the Field of Atomic Energy to Encourage integration of the Community of Sti ~Lr. Gardner said that this study had been prepared in response to the President’s Directive requesting consideration of the maximum U.S. contribution to encourage the creation of an integrated atomic energy community in Europe, such as EURATOM. He pointed out that the transmittal letter to State Department stated that the plan should not be construed as committing AEC to undertake the outlined measures of assistance, but should serve as a basis for further AEC -State Department study and discussion. Mr. Libby discussed at length the problems invoked in the items regarding assistance in the construction of gaseous diffusion plants, expansion of training programs, and the supplying of technical and administrative consultants. He then sugge steal revisions which would clarify the limitations of the above measures of assistance. The Commission then considered the amount of U-235 which should be allocated to the L%EX out of the 20,000 kihgram allocation for foreign power reactor programs. Mr. Strauss said that the President had indicated that he favored an allocation to EURATOM out of the 20,000 kilograms. After further discussion, a revision was agreed upon whit h indicated that the initial allocation would be at least 5,000 kilograms, but not more than 10,000 kilograms.
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Mr. Vance pointed out that the encouragement of an integrated Europe was a major item of the present U.S. foreign p03icy. Mr. Libby added that the development of the bflateral agreement program was another major element of foreign policy. However, he added that bilateral agreements should not be so attractive that countries would prefer dealing with the U.S. in this manner rather than joining a regional group. lv.r. Strauss said that all measure of assistance should be in conformity with NSC and other applicable government policy, such as NSC 5506/2, which indicates that the U.S. should control chemical reprocessing as a safeguard against diversion of fissionable material to non-peaceful uses. Mr. IWitchell pointed out that the study did not take into account the possible need for additional legal authority which might be required to implement the plan. As the result of further discussion, the Commissioners agreed upon additional revisions, and asked that Mr. Murray’s comments be obtained. a. Agreed that, as revised, the actions set forth in parag- of AEC 903 are the maximum steps which the United States should consider, within the present limitations of plant capacity and availability of U-235 for power and research reactor programs, to encourage integration of the Community of Six (France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and West Germany; b. Noted that after revision and further review by the Commissioners, the study attached to AEC 903 as Appendix “A” which would incorporate the steps set forth in paragraph 10, as revised, would be forwarded by letter such as Appendix “B”, as revised, to the Department of State as a basis for further AEC-Department of State discussions. (See 903/1 subsequently circulated)
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4. AEC 603/28 - High Energy Accelerators on University Ivlr. Strauss expressed concern over the validity of the estimates for construction of the proposed accelerators at university sites. h4r. Johnson said the Division of Construction and Supply staff had reviewed each of the estimates and had %evised them. He added that cost controls of the various phases of de6ign and construction would be maintained by AEC. Mr. Fields said that 33 potential candidates had been invited to submit proposals, but only these two groups had done Eo. h4r. Libby observed that perhaps this indicated that no more requests for assistance in building accelerators would be received in the near future. After further discussion, the Commission: a. Approved the selection of the Universities of Harvard and Princeton for the design, construction, and operation of the two university accelerators authorized in AEC 601/23; b. Noted that realistic estimates of the co6ts of the P=ton machine and the Cambridge machine total $12,300,000 and are within 25% of the authorized c. Noted that $12,300,000 is available for the project~~ng $10,000,000 appropriated for the purpose for FY 1956 and $2,300,000 to be transferred to this account from funds from other projects; d. Noted that the location of the facilities at university sites has been authorized by the Congress and the Director6 of Research and of Biology and Medine approve their location on lands which are not owned or controlled by the Government. In this
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connection the government’s residual interest in the structures will be taken into account in negotiating the termination clauses of the contracts; e. Noted that adequate controls will be set up to assure that the construction will be in compliance with the intent of the Commission; f. Noted that A-E services and building construction may be constructed either directly by A EC or as subcontracts under the university prime contracts, at the discretion of NYOO; g. Noted that the selection of contractors wili be announced publicly through releases coordinated with the universities concerned; h. Noted that the 3CAE and the GAC will be notified-is action by letters such as Appendices i. Noted that operating contracts for these facilitie=l be entered into at appropriate times by the AEC with Harvard and Princeton; and j. Noted that henceforth A EC 603/28 will be 5. AEC 529/7 - Revesting Title to Minerals at the Moab, a. Approved the action of the General Manager in permitting the revestment of all mineral rights in the former owner of certain land in Grand County, Utah, within the terms and conditions set forth in Appendix “B” to AEC 529/7.
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b. Noted that the declaration of takiag under which title was acquired would be modified to revest title to all minexal in the former owner thereof; c. Noted that the Joint Committee on ~tomic Energy had been notified of an earlier action by the Commission to revest oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons in the owner, and that notification that all minerals are to be revested is not considered d. Noted that henceforth A EC 529/7 would be 6. AEC 883/2 - Proposed Legislation Authorizing AEC to Reimburse New Employees for Travel and Moving Mr. Smith said that coatrar y to previous informatioa~ the Civil Service Commission would now seek authority from the Bureau of the Budget to request authorization for payment of travel and moving expenses for new employees for all Government Agencies. Nevertheless, he said he recommended that the Commission approve the present staff paper, because the CSC might not be able to obtain this general authority. After fhrther discussion, the Commissioru a. Approved the proposal for legisla~n contained in the Appendix to AIZC 883/2; b. Noted that the General Manager would forward the proposal for appropriate executive branch cleararice and legislative action; and c. Noted that henceforth AEC 883/2 would be
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7. AEC 780/3 - Annual AEC Honor A ward Ceremony Mr. Fields pointed out that a policy of pre~oating distinn~s~d program and ensure periodie canvassing for potential candidates. Nm. Strauss ~=~=ked that an added advantage of such a policy would be the possibility of arranging for the participation of 7CAE in the annual ceremonies. After further discussion, the Commission: Noted with approval tiM ?he General Manager would establish a formal Annual A EC Honor Awards Ceremony as set forth in AEC 780/3. Approved by the Commission: Meeting 1207, June 12, 1956