Anton Bruun, Transfer to India

This file unit consists of working papers of NSC staff member Charles E. Johnson that are related to the National Science Foundation research vessel “Anton Bruun”. The papers include materials on efforts to transfer the ship to the country of India, damage of the ship while in...

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fill LIMITED OFFICIAL USE July 10, 1968 OFFICIAL - INFORMAL William H. Mills, Esq. Scientific Attache American Embassy Mexico City, Mexico Dear Bill: My apologies for this rather belated sequel to our tele- phona conversation O last month concerning the research lessel Anton Bruun. Anyway, perhaps the delay has allowed you time to make soma informal inquiries into the Mexican oceanographic community. NSF plans to initiate proceedings to turn the Bruun over to GSA for surplus disposal o/a August 1, 1968, providing there is no expressed desire on the part of any foreign government by that time to take her. As you may know, there is a "last ditch" effort being made by a small group of private individuals, Americans and Indians, to persuade the Indian Government to reverse its recent decision and take the Bruun. The USG would be willing to consider an Indian reversal up to the turn over date since there had already been a fair amount of "groundwork" done before the turn down. Similarly, NSF and the Department would be receptive during the same period to any "requests" for the Bruun from other countries. Also, I understand that, because GSA disposal sometimes goes slowly, it might be possible to "reclaim" the ship intact for same indeterminate period after turnover. The ground rules LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 369