38. Memorandum from Dean to McCloy, August 181
SUBJECT
- Presidential Announcement re Resumption of Testing
With respect to the decisions reached in the President’s office yesterday afternoon, it would be my strong recommendation that no announcement either with respect to the resumption of testing or prepa [Typeset Page 130] ration for the resumption of testing be made while I am in Geneva or during the forthcoming session of the UNGA.
I see no objection to the President privately giving whatever instructions as may be appropriate to the agency authorizing them to make the necessary preparation for the resumption of testing. I would, in fact, recommend that such an order be given provided it is made explicitly clear it does not constitute any authorization for the resumption of testing. Following the termination of the forthcoming session of the UNGA, I would then recommend that serious consideration be given to a statement by the President that we are now reaffirming full freedom of action with respect to the resumption of testing.
While I realize that there has been considerable discussion about not making any announcements just prior to the time we make a particular test, it has occurred to me that if no public announcement is made shortly before a test occurs possibly there might be leakage in the press or other means of communication. It might therefore be deemed desirable to continue the policy of making a public announcement just before each test occurs. This is also consistent with our policy of openness. If we were to make a test without a prior announcement and the Soviets were to proclaim to the world that we had tested, I believe that on balance, we would lose in the public opinion race.
- Possible announcement on resumption of testing. Secret. 1 p. Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Subjects Series, Nuclear Testing, 8/10/61–8/30/61.↩