Pacific Tests To
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Be Resumed
US President Kennedy an nounced in March that the US would resume nuclear testing in late April unless the Russians earlier agreed to an effective test ban treaty. The tests would be carried out in the Pacific, in cluding Christmas Is. Australian Minister for External Affairs, Sir Garfield Barwick, gave Aus tralia’s reasons for supporting Britain.
He said that Australia had stated in its reply that should it be decided after scientific analysis that atmospheric tests were essential to maintenance of international security, then Aus tralia would not stand in the way of any British decision to permit use of Christmas Island.
“In adopting this attitude, Australia took into account the public statement of the US that in any atmospheric tests it un dertook all precautions would be taken to minimise fallout,” Sir Garfield said.
“The US also undertook that tests would be limited strictly to those essential in the circum stances which have been forced upon the US by the USSR.”