Pacific Test Area

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29791, 6 April 1962, Page 11

Pacific Test Area

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, April 4.

The United States Atomic Energy Commission has marked off a huge testing area in the Pacific Ocean in case the United States decides to resume nuclear tests in the atmosphere.

The commission said tonight that establishment of the 600-mile wide, 800-mile long area surrounding Christmas Island would become effective on April 15 “in preparation for such actual tests as may be ordered later in the month,” the Associated Press reported. "The establishment of the area,” the A.E.C.'s announcement said, “is part of the preparations for testing which are going forward. “A preparatory measure which the United States has always considered essential

for the public safety in any test series is public warning several weeks in advance to mariners, aviators, and others who might be in or plan to use the testing area.” The rectangular-shaped test area would have its sides located at six degrees, 50 minutes north; three degrees. 10 minutes south; 149 degrees, 20 minutes west; and 162 degrees, 40 minutes west. The A.E.C. pointed out that on March 2, President Kennedy authorised the commission and the Defence Department to begin atmospheric nuclear tests in late April unless the Soviet Union signed an effective test ban treaty before that time.

The United States had been confining itself to underground tests since the Soviet Union resumed atmospheric tests last year. "Further announcement.” said the A.E.C., “will precede the actual conduct of any United States nuclear tests. “If additional areas are required, they will be announced well in advance,” it said.

About two-thirds of the test area was north of the Equator, the rest south. In addition to Christmas Island, which was about 1300 statute miles south of Honolulu, the test area embraced Fanning Island. Washington Island, Palmyra Atoll and Kingman Reef,

Communist Society.—During a televised talk in Havana today, Dr. Castro told memhers of the Young Communists’ Union of Cuba they would live in a Communist society but today’s adulto would not.—(Havana, April