DECLASSIFIED Authority I MITED STATES GOVERNMENT- Memorandum T0 NBA Mr Tt DATE June 22 1962 FROM NE no Strong SLWUECT5 srael's Dimona Reactor 6' Discussmw Bepartment efforts to arrange a visit to Dimona by scientists of other than U S nationality have not yet succeeded and we doubt that the faint interest the Swedes have shown can be developed sufficiently to result in a visit by their scientists in the near future It is now more than a year since the initial U S visit In our briefing of the Arab Ambassadors following that visit we said another inspection would occur in about a year Thus in the absence of a better alternative and given the delicacy of the Dimona project in area relationships we must undertake the responsibility once more At 3 00 p m Ambassador Herman and you are to sign an agreement entitled Extension of the Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Civil Uses of Atomic Energy Expiring on July 11 1962 A brief description of the arrangements for the signing is attached at Tab A We suggest that after the ceremony you discuss with Hansen another visit to Dimona by a United States scientific team we believe that the U S visit of May 1961 and our_diplomatic efforts with other governments based on its findings have been helpful in redncingF' Arab fears of the Dimona reactor and in keeping the subject out of world press Preservation of this favorable atmosphere is possible only if the course we originally charted is followed You will recall tha t kernel of the U S scientists report was to the effect that while the reactor appeared then to be designed for the peaceful purposes to whic i the Israelis declare it is to be devoted it would only be by similar 3 periodic visits that its ultimate use could be established 777a 7 0 Ambassador Harman in a conversation with you Tab B eXpressed his Government's agreement in principle to a subsequent visit by neutral scientists While we wish to keep this possibility alive for future use we feel that another U S visit should now be proposed 'We do not expect difficulty in obtaining the Israel Government's agreement The Atomic Energy Commission reports the immediate availability of Dr Ulysses Staebler who was a member of the 1961 team His associate however will be a new man who has not yet been selected but who could be selected on very short notice The combination is desirable in that Dr Staebler can compare his conclusions on this visit with those of his earlier trip and the new scientist will provide a fresh viewpoint and assessment 705 y-X A media 144 SECRET DECLASSIFIED Authority I 2 RECOMMENDATION That you take the opportunity presented by the signing ceremony to broach to Ambassador Harman the subject of an early visit by United States scientists to the Dimena reactor pointing out to him that the assurances the United States was able to give the world after the 1961 visit undoubtedly contributed to the relaxed attitude with which the world initially very apprehensive of the development now regards it 'We would hope the Israel Government would agree to our renewing the assurances we passed to other governments last year You might add that we still hope that the quiet cooperation of an acceptable neutral ultimately can be gained ATTACHMENTS Tab A a Memorandum Concerning the Agreement to be Signed Tab - Memorandum of Conversation dated November 1h 1961 Cleared 6 22 62 SECRET DECLASSIFIED Authority 75 I i uC iamev 1 4 27 STATES GOVERNMENT I fber 01 Memorandum - TO NEA-- Mr Phillips Talbot DATE June 22 1962 In 4-3 6 I EB Rob Strong cl SLHUEGT Signing with Israel of an Extended Agreement for the eeceful Uses of Atomic Energy Your Office at 3 00 p m today we have arranged for the signing by you and Ambassador Harman of a renewal of our agreenent on the peaceful uses of atomic energy As is customery the ceremony will he held in your office without fanfare or the presence of newsmen and other non-official personnel According to the Science Adviser's office the ceremony takes no'more than a minute or two The amendment embodies_the following main provisions F l The agreement'is extended from July 11 1962 to July 11 l96h 2 The Government of Israel without modifying this agreement mey enter into an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency for IAEA Safe- guards to he applied to materials and equipment transferred to Israel under this agreement The Government of Israel will be represented by Herman and Dr Ephraim Lehev the Embassy's Scientific Counselor You will be atten ed by Hr Charles Wilson Thomas of the Science Adviser s office possibly by a representative of the Atomic Energy Commission and Mr Hamilton of NE we suggest that you ask Ambassador Herman to remain with Dr Lehev and er Hemilton after the ceremony to discuss an early jvisit by U S scientists to the Dimons reactor 37775 ga l If I ed-b We NEA NE HLHemiQton mem 6 22 62 Wjimgg Wag SECRET