Meeting with the Staff of the Human Radiation Experiments (Hre) Advisory Committee, 3 June 1994

Page 1

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD wSUBJECI': Meeting with the Staff of the Human Radiation Experimentation (HRE) L. Advisory Committee, 3 June 1994 Representatives of GC, the library, NTPR and AFRRl met with the staff of the HRE on subject date. The meting was arranged by Dr A w n , subsequent to calls from both RADM Wisely and Mr Guttman of the HRE staff. The meeting was also subsequent to a similar meeting held in the Pentagon with ATSD(AE) and the Service representatives of the steering committee. DNA was specifically told there was no need for our attendance at this meeting. Dr Auton was asked by the staff to invite OSD, Dr Osterman, to attend, which he did, but Dr Osterman spoke off-line with the staff, and declined to attend. Dr Auton briefed the staff on the NTPR program, since there were indications that the Committec was interested in the possibility of adding NTPR to their efforts. This led into a discussion (attached) of DNA efforts to respond to HRE tasking from ATSD(AE). Following this briefing, the staff spent three hours asking the meeting attendees about specific issues The staff was very interested in m y policy documents concerning ethid rtandvdr and regulrtions in effect which related to HRE issues, at whatever level or@natd. Tbey were informed that DNA did not initidly attempt to loate documentation in this category, and beyond dut, wc were not sure how much of such Qcurnentrtim existed. The smff uu also very interested in m y documenration which showcd the historical evolution of the HRE efforts, and those persons involved at all levels, who might have ma& programmatic decisions on the budgetary and technical issues involved. The staff was very interested in whether DNA had looked at our holhings at the various local archives, including the Federal Records Center, Suitland, M D and the National Archives. We spent some time on this issue, and there was also a bullet on the vu-graphs which said that we had reviewed many of these files for NTPR purposes some years ago. Nevertheless, the staff expressed their unhappiness with this answer, and encouraged us to look further. Subsequently, DASIAC and the library visited the National Archives to discuss these issues and to estimate the level of effort necessary to satisfy staff interests. The staff was very interested in DNA looking for all classified information, and in declassifying all information so found in three weeks time, which was promised to them by OSD. We tried to tell the staff that in cases where DNA controlled the documents in question, this was a relatively easy task, but in those areas where DNA did not control the release (such as, for instance, in the case of RD and FRD information, or in the case of Service originated information, we must coordinate with the originator before release, and that this

Page 2

The staff was interested in DNA historical documentation on the medical division and on advisory groups which might have been involved in the H E or any other DNA research in the period prior to 1974, particularly back to 1947. The staff was also interested in organization charts for DNA during this period. In regard to advisory committees, the staff was also interested in AFRRI Board of Governors minutes, and attendees for the period 1961 to the present. The staff wanted copies of all reports generated under the DNA HRE contracts. In this regard, the staff was interested in all DNA contract log books going back to 1958. The staff asked for copies of all Qualitative Research Requirements (QRR)and similar requirements, which might support the chain of inference from requirement to research to implementation in the field, or in manuals. The staff was interested in all experiments which were classified, and did not accept that we did not believe.there was anything in this category. Interest was expressed in documentation which would show DNA participation in radiological warfare (intentional release) experimentation. We explained that we were not aware of any DNA participation in these efforts, but nevertheless, pledged to look for such documentation. Specifically excluded were releases from UGTs. Interest was expressed in Dr;Saenger's security clearance information, from the period from 1950 on. Also, interest was expressed in a member of the staff being cleued, in order to be able to d s f y c(wKxms about search thoroughness. On this point, it was c k u that the staff, itself, had been doing a great deal of searching, so far, and was quite prepued to continue in these efforts. It was also clear that the staff includer historians and archivists, either on loan to, or employed by the committee. Attendeer from the staff include: Running through the discussions was a strong presumption on the part of the staff of both government omnipotence (which was perceived by DNA participants as naive) and, at the same time, government intransigence and malevolence. DNA participants believed we were friendly, cooperative, and helpful. Staff, afparentl y, believed otherwise. At tac hmen t Nuclear Test Personnel Review Environments and Modeling Division