Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XI, Arms Control and Disarmament

156. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Washington, October 10, 1966.

SUBJECT

• Underground Nuclear Testing

PARTICIPANTS

• Ambassador Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, USSR
• Llewellyn E. Thompson, Ambassador-at-Large, Department of State

The Ambassador [Dobrynin] made the following statement:

“On September twelfth this year, there took place an ejection of radioactive products into the atmosphere during the conduct of an underground test of a nuclear weapon at the American proving ground in the State of Nevada.² The Soviet side asserts that this is already the ninth case of ejection of radioactive materials in the conduct of American underground tests of nuclear weapons since the conclusion of the Moscow treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water.

“Since such ejection of radioactive materials contradicts the spirit of the Moscow treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water, the Soviet side expects that the American side will present necessary explanations concerning the facts of the appearance of radioactive materials in the atmosphere as a result of these tests and will take precautionary measures in order that compliance with the terms of the treaty will be duly ensured.”

I inquired whether it was considered that any atomic debris had gone outside the borders of the United States. After checking his notes, he observed that this aspect was not mentioned.

1. Source: Department of State, S/S-I Files: Lot 79 D 246, US-USSR Officials Memoranda of Conversation 1966. Secret. Drafted and approved by Thompson(S/AL), October 10.
2. The U.S. Government reported the “accidental release of radioactivity detected off site” as a result of its underground nuclear test named Derringer at the Nevada Test Site on September 12. (United States Nuclear Tests, July 1945 Through September 1992, p. 28)