newsman N11131 1 5 TBS GOVERNMENT Memorandum T0 3 P Grant DATE February 99 as appointment with Dennis Greenhill and l'Ienn'Ls Speares of the British Embassy 3 30 Urdnesday February 1h WV G Thacher DISCUSSION The British have completed a study paper on which they ask our com- ments on the inspection and control problems posed by the atomic reactor which the Israelis are developing at Dimona southeast of Jerusalem Hr Greenhill Counselor of the Embassy regards presentation of the paper as an opportunity to make your acquaintance He will be accompanied by Mr Speares First Secretary They will seek no substantive comment on the paper but hope to discuss it with us later on We have arranged one visit to the reactor which was made by two United States physicists in May 1961 and in a very preliminary way are negotiating with the Israelis for another this time preferably by scien- tists of another friendly government Our visitors found the reactor being developed along lines which indicate peaceful uses However changes in design could be made at various times during its development to_adapt it for production or material For that reason periodic inspections are desired The Israelis announce l9 h as the probable time for the reactor to become critical Our scientists suggest that this is a very conserva- tive esttnate and the time required might be shorter Attached is a memorandum to the ihite House reporting the results of the United States scientists' visit That you rec ive the British paper with an expression of apprecia- tion of U F initiative and state a willingness to discuss it at length after we have had an opportunity to study it You might mention that we hsVe discussed Dimons from time to time with the Israelis who are agreed in principle to further visits by friendly neutral scientists but inasmuch as the reactor will not become critical fer some time we have not introduced a note of urgency into these discussion ATTACHMENT Memorandum of May 26 1961 to the shite House out so tdn ebb SECRET