SOUTH AFRICA: ACTIVITY AT NUCLEAR TEST SITE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06813260
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: April 23, 2020
• Case Number: F-2018-00226
• Publication Date: March 17, 1981

Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06813260
Director of
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Intelligence
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National Intelligence Daily
Tuesday
17 March 1981
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CO NID 81-062JX
TCS 2762181
17 March 1981
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Contents
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Briefs and Comments
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South Africa: Activity at Nuclear Test Site 4
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TCS 2762/81
17 March 1981
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SOUTH AFRICA: Activity at Nuclear Test Site
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The activity is not
located at a test hole that was left behind when the
Kalahari site was deactivated in 1978 under considerable
international pressure.
Since that hole could be made ready for use in a
matter of weeks, the South Africans probably would re-
open it if they wanted to conduct an underground nuclear
test. Preparation of a new hole would take much longer.
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There have been no indications of the South Africans'
thinking on nuclear weapons for the last two or three
years. Their continuing need for significant foreign
assistance in the nuclear power field, however, would
strongly militate against their conducting a detectable
test at this time.
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TCS 2762/81
17 March 1981
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Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06813260