Washington, July 30, 1958, 12:50
p.m.
Mr. McCone handed me the attached
memorandum on a limited test moratorium and asked my views regarding it.
I said that I thought that there should be urgent thinking along the
lines of a constructive proposal on suspension of testing as if there
were a possible outcome of the Geneva talk of experts, some such action
was imperative. I said I thought it would in any event be imperative for
the next General Assembly, particularly having regard to certain aspects
of the prospective UN report of
experts.
Mr. McCone thought it would be
very helpful for Murphy if he
were stopping in Rome to talk with Cardinal Agaganiar who he thinks is
better acquainted with problems in Lebanon than anyone else in the
world. He is an Armenian and has lived in Lebanon.
Attachment
Teletype Message to McCone
From Libby and Teller
[Facsimile Page 2]
TELETYPE MESSAGE TO JOHN McCONE FROM
AEC COMMISSIONER
WILLARD F. LIBBY AND DR. EDWARD TELLER, DIRECTOR OF THE LIVERMORE
RESEARCH LABORATORY
A LIMITED TEST MORATORIUM
People everywhere feel a great concern about the possible effects of
radioactive fallout from weapon tests. A most powerful objection to
continued testing would be removed if radioactive fallout from
future tests could be limited or eliminated. One of the following
two plans would, therefore, seem reasonable.
We might propose to limit the offsite fission fallout per year to 1
megaton equivalent each year released by the USA and the same amount by the USSR.
An alternative proposal would be to ban completely offsite fallout.
This would permit underground testing by everyone.
The task of policing such a moratorium would be simplest in the
latter case, but it does seem clear from our knowledge of
radioactive fallout from weapons tests that it would be possible to
conduct tests on the fallout ration basis.
It is of extreme importance at this time to put forth such a plan of
test limitation. It would exploit the amount of agreement already
obtained in Geneva. At the same time it would permit us to continue
what kind of testing which is necessary to develop our tactical
weapons, our clean weapons, and our lightweight warheads for
intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Limitation of fallout to 1 megaton a year would, furthermore, permit
some effects shots, such as are needed in developing the anti-ICBM system.
If we do not announce our willingness to accept a limitation such as
the one given above we may be forced by public opinion into a
[Typeset Page 1396]
complete
test cessation. According to the opinion of all reliable authorities
small shots below 5 kilotons can be effectively hidden. Methods to
hide bigger explosions may well be discovered and such methods may
already be available in the Soviet Union.
[Facsimile Page 3]
It is most important for the defense of our country and also for the
development of the peaceful uses of nuclear explosives that
continued study of nuclear explosions take place. The proposed test
limitation would permit continued testing in a calmer and more
reasonable atmosphere. We believe, therefore, that it is important
to put forward a proposal of this kind in the very near future.
