JOINT COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY HEARINGS ON SEISMIC DETECTION TECHNOLOGY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2011
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: October 21, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07 : LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7~Az'rc2.
WASHINGTON
October 21, 1971
SECRET
The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission
The Director, Arms Control and
Disarmament Agency
The Director, Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Joint Committee on Atomic Energy
Hearings on Seismic Detection Technology
The Joint Committee on Atomic Energy will undertake public
hearings on October 27, 1971, concerning advances in seismo-
logical developments for differentiating between natural and
nuclear seismic events.
The President has directed that all agencies be reminded of
his policy that testimony by government representatives
relating to policy issues be coordinated with the White House.
cc: The Director, Office of
Science and Technology
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACTION
October 18, 1971
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL HAIG
FROM: K. Wayne Smith
SUBJECT: Joint Committee on Atomic Energy Hearings on
Seismic Detection Technology
In accordance with your direction (Tab B), attached is a self-
explanatory memorandum reminding the addressees of the
President's direction that testimony by government representatives
relating to policy. issues will be cleared. by the White House (Tab A).
While the Department of the Interior is not included among the
addressees, I will monitor to insure that if this department accepts
an invitation to testify, appropriate measures will be taken to
implement the President's policy with regardto its testimony.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum at Tab A.
CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7 3695
W
MEMORANDUM
ACTION
October 15, 1971
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL HAIG
FROM:
K. Wayne Smith
1.~.
SUBJECT:
Joint Committee on Atomic Energy Hearings
on Seismic Technology
The Joint Committee on Atomic Energy will hold public hearings on
seismic technology beginning on October 27 (Tab A). The hearings
will focus on advances in seismological developments for differentiating
between natural (earthquakes) and manmade (nuclear) underground
seismic events. Invitations to testify have been widely distributed,
includin invitations to government agencies such as ARPA, ACDA,
AEC,=State, Commerce and Interior (Tab B). University 25X1
and private seismologists will do most of the testifying. However,
at least one anti-nuclear testing group will also speak. The com-
mittee staff claims it hopes to avoid an executive session.
These hearings come at an indelicate time for us.
The NSSM 128 study to review our nuclear test ban policy
is in the works.
-- The decision on Cannikin is imminent, and, if conducted,
public interest in nuclear tests may be intensified.
-- At the Geneva Conference of the Committee on Disarmament
and within the UN General Assembly there is growing pressure from
the non-nuclear nations for further limitations on nuclear testing.
CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
rt
CONFIDENTIAL
The JCAE hearings may well add to this pressure, especially if the
scientific community makes a strong pitch for the feasibility of
verifying a nuclear test ban by national -- or international -- seismic
means alone. We have publicly stated that we favor a comprehensive
test ban if on-site inspection were permitted. The "black box"
alternatives - - if deemed feasible before the JCAE -- would undercut
our current position.
Therefore, it is very important that spokesmen for government
agencies be most discreet in their testimony before the JCAE in order
not to compromise the Administration's flexibility with regard to test
ban policy. There are several alternative approaches available to us:
- Request the JCAE to postpone the hearings. We would have
to say why and any rationale we might devise is inherently weak.
Furthermore, with invitations out, it would be difficult to call.off the
hearings.
-- Present only one spokesman for the government. Steve Lukasik,
Director of ARPA, would be the logical choice, since ARPA has spon-
sored seismic research with application to nuclear test detection.
However, his credibility with the JCAE has been cast in doubt. So far,
ARPA, AEC have indicated to JCAE they will accept invi- 25X1
tations to testify. Cancelling these informal acceptances and presenting
only one government spokesman might smack too much of "management. "
Commerce and ACDA have declined to testify, and State is likely to
decline.
-- Clear all government agency testimony through the White House.
This would insure against injudicious disclosures and possible inconsis-
tencies or conflicts of statements. This seems to be the most feasible
option open to us. (If Interior /Geological Survey accepts an invitation
to testify, we may have to send a letter requesting their statement be
cleared at the White House.)
I have already put out the word to the agencies represented on the NSSM
128 Working Group (State, JCS, CIA, OSD, OST, ACDA, and AEC) that
White House clearance should be obtained for any testimony by their
agencies. "However, I do not know how far this word has gotten nor
whether it will be heeded, despite the President's policy that testimony
CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7
CONFIDENTIAL
by government representatives dealing with policy issues be cleared
by the White House.
If you agree that the appropriate action is to simply ride herd on
statements, I will see that it ' e.
Approve
CONFIDENTIAL
Disapprove
(See me)
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/03/07: LOC-HAK-17-5-37-7