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.
