324. Telegram 1259 From USUN1
1259. Re US Position on Fallout.
Suggest Department give consideration to basic change in US public posture re hazards of fallout. As seen from here US policy of always belittling hazards in public pronouncements has made it possible for Soviets to cast US as the apologist for fallout, and thereby to turn exclusively against US world’s increasing concern re these hazards. Present situation with Soviets having completed test series and ours just beginning enhances their opportunity promote this development, which might lead to serious anti-American trend world public opinion. In carbon-14 they even have propaganda answer to clean bomb.
Despite combination factors unfavorable to US in present situation, and regardless US position on testing itself, however, believe there would be distinct advantages in courageous change to full and frank exposure fallout hazards consistent with UN Radiation Committee report. Our repeated belittling of fallout hazard appears decreasingly effective with public opinion, and losing US respect of informed people. Convincing posture of candor this issue will reaffirm that America stands for truth and humane consideration.
Moreover, believe we must consider long-range possibility Soviets have not really stopped testing and that time may come when we oppose testing and they continue, taking into account probable relative [Typeset Page 1346] levels and rates of nuclear weapons development (we ahead and they catching up), and fact our policy more responsive to people.
[Facsimile Page 2]To carry out above suggestion, immediate start could be made by official statements interpreting fully for layman nature and degree genetic and other effects radiation based on reports National Academy Sciences and Radiation Committee. Attitude displayed these statements should deplore any damage caused people of world and future generations, and show desire give balanced interpretation in terms meaningful to average man. Believe dismissal as “negligible” has become counter-productive.
Additional helpful step would be prompt and regular publication worldwide fallout data. Understand US in best position do this. Since widespread irrational fear partly based on lack of factual information, believe putting matter on route basis of common knowledge would dispel honest fear and defeat alarmists.
Believe US can gain much by fully backing up Radiation Committee and scientific conclusions in its report, thereby showing our respect for scientific truth and at same time putting whole issue in reasonable perspective.
Believe timing these steps urgent in view July release report, observation nuclear test, and forthcoming debates radiation, testing, and disarmament issues.
- Source: U.S. position on fallout. Confidential. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, Central Files, 700.5611/5–258.↩