“Test Or Treaty” Offer

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29763, 5 March 1962, Page 13

“Test Or Treaty” Offer

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, March 2. Announcing America’s decision to resume nuclear testing in the atmosphere late in April, President Kennedy said he would be prepared to hold off if Mr Khrushchev and Mr Macmillan would meet him in Geneva and sign a fullyeffective test ban treaty with provisions for inspection.

The President said In his nation-wide television broadcast that if the Soviet Union accepted such a treaty in the forthcoming Geneva disarmament negotiations, "that single step would be a monumental step toward peace and both Prime Minister Macmillan and I would think it fitting to meet Mr Khrushchev at Geneva to sign the final pact.” President Kennedy said that he had ordered a series of atmospheric tests to take place over the Pacific Ocean beginning when preparations were completed in the latter part of April. They were to be concluded as quickly as possible within two or three months. "These tests are to be conducted under conditions which restrict the radioactive fall-out to an absolute mini-

mum, far less than the contamination created by last autumn’s Soviet series,” the President said. In view of the Soviet series of tests, President Kennedy said, no American President, responsible for the freedom and safety of so many people, could in good faith make any other decision.

He said last year’s tests in and by themselves did not give the Soviet Union superiority in nuclear power. But they did provide Russian laboratories with a mass of data and experience on which over the next two or three years they could base significant analyses and experiments preparing for the next test series which would confirm and advance their findings.

Mr Kennedy observed that much had been said about Soviet claims for an antimissile missile. "Some of the Soviet tests which measured the effects of high altitude nuclear explosion—in one case over 100 miles high—were related to this problem” he said. “While apparently seeking information on the effects of nuclear blasts on radar and communication, which is important in developing an anti-missile defence system, these tests did not. in our judgment, reflect a developed system.”

Three Types The President outlined three different types of tests, which, he said, had been decided on. One was proof tests of existing weapons. The second “and most important” were called "effects tests”—determining what effect an enemy’s nuclear explosions would have upon the United States ability to survive and respond. The third type was to test in the atmosphere to permit the development of more advanced concepts and more effective, efficient weapons which, in the light of the Soviet tests, were deemed essential to the nation’s security While American technology in smaller weapons was unmatched “we know now that the Soviets have made major gains in developing larger weapons of low weight and high explosive content —of one to five megatons and upward ” Protests Rebutted

Mr Kennedy rebutted expected protests from countries opposed to any testing at all "Perhaps they forget that this country long refrained from testing and sought to ban all tests while the Soviets were secretly preparing nev explosions,” he said

“Our reasons for testing and our peaceful intentions are clear—so clear that even the Soviets could not objectively regard our resumption of tests, following their resumption of tests, as provocative or preparatory for. war.” the President added. “Will Not Stand Still”

“On the contrary, it is my hope that the prospects tor peace may actually be strengthened by this decision once the Soviet leaders realise that the West wil] no longer stand still, negotiating in good faith, while they reject inspection and are free to prepare further tests. The President said that at the opening of the disarmament conference in Geneva on March 14. the United States would offer a series of concrete plans for “a major breakthrough to pea-e.” Together with Britain, he said, the United States

would present once again proposals for a separate treaty, including appropriate arrangements for detection and verification, to halt permanently all nuclear weapons testing in every environment.

“Ready To Sign” “Our negotiators will be ready to talk about this treaty even before the conference begins on March 14 and they will be ready to sign well before the date on which our tests are ready to begin,” President Kennedy added.

“That date is still nearly two months away. If the Soviet Union should now be willing to accept such a treaty, sign it before the ’alter part of April and apply it immediately—if all testing can thus be actually halted—then the nuclear arms race would be slowed down at last, the security of the United States and its ability to meet its commitments would be safeguarded and there would be no need for our tests to begin.” In the last analysis, the President said, it was the Soviet leaders who must bear the heavy responsibility of choosing in the weeks ahead whether the United States proceeded with its new tests. If those leaders persisted in rejecting all means Of true inspection, “then-we shall be left no choice but to keep our own defensive arsenals adequate for the security of all free men.”