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Nuclear Accident: Chernobyl 04/29/1986 (8)
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Nuclear Accident: Chernobyl 04/29/1986 (8)
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Records of the National Security Council, Directorate of European and Soviet Affairs (Reagan Administration)
Jack F. Matlock, Jr.'s Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) Subject Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Matlock, Jack F.: Files
Folder Title: Nuclear Accident: Chernobyl
04/29/1986 (8)
Box: 29
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name MATLOCK, JACK: FILES
Withdrawer
JET 5/16/2005
File Folder
USSR: NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: CHERNOBYL APRIL 29,
FOIA
1986 8/9
F06-114/8
YARHI-MILO
Box Number
29
2914
ID Doc Type
Document Description
No of Doc Date Restrictions
Pages
10468 CABLE
081656Z MAY 86
2 5/8/1986 B1
[1 - 2 - 1
R
9/30/2008 F06-114/8
10469 MEMO
PLATT TO POINDEXTER RE
3 5/8/1986 B1
CHERNOBYL REACTOR UPDATE
[ 13 - 15 1
R
9/30/2008 F06-114/8
10470 MEMO
PLATT TO POINDEXTER
2 5/7/1986 B1
[17 18 1
R 9/30/2008 F06-114/8
10466 MEMO
PLATT TO POINDEXTER RE UPDATE ON
2 5/5/1986 B1
CHERNOBYL INCIDENT
[ 20 21 1
R
9/30/2008
F06-114/8
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
B-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
B-2 Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
B-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
B-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
B-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
B-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name MATLOCK, JACK: FILES
Withdrawer
JET 5/16/2005
File Folder
USSR: NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: CHERNOBYL APRIL 29,
FOIA
1986 8/9
F06-114/8
YARHI-MILO
Box Number
29
2914
ID Doc Type
Document Description
No of Doc Date Restrictions
Pages
10471 CABLE
091007Z MAY 86
2 5/9/1986 B1
[ 22 - 23 1
R
9/30/2008 F06-114/8
10467 MEMO
PLATT TO POINDEXTER RE UPDATE ON
1 5/9/1986 B1
CHERNOBYL REACTOR ACCIDENT
[ 24 - 24 1
R
9/30/2008
F06-114/8
10472 CABLE
101302Z MAY 86
2 5/10/1986 B1
[ 33 34 1
R
9/30/2008 F06-114/8
10473 MEMO
PLATT TO POINDEXTER RE
2 5/10/1986 B1
CHERNOBYL REACTOR UPDATE
[ 36 - 37 1
R 9/30/2008 F06-114/8
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
B-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
B-2 Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
B-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
B-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
B-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
B-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name MATLOCK, JACK: FILES
Withdrawer
JET 5/16/2005
File Folder
USSR: NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: CHERNOBYL APRIL 29,
FOIA
1986 8/9
F06-114/8
YARHI-MILO
Box Number
29
2914
ID Doc Type
Document Description
No of Doc Date Restrictions
Pages
10474 CABLE
121310Z MAY 86
1 5/12/1986 B1
[ 40 40 1
R
9/30/2008
F06-114/8
10475 CABLE
121255Z MAY 86
1 5/12/1986 B1
[ 41 41 1
R
9/30/2008
F06-114/8
10476 CABLE
131459Z MAY 86
4 5/13/1986 B1
42 45 1
R
9/30/2008 F06-114/8
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
B-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
B-2 Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
B-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
B-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
B-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
B-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
SECRET
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 7848
DTG: 081656Z MAY 86 PSN: 029818
EOB690
AN006274
TOR: 128/2223Z
CSN: HCE356
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 SOMM-01 RODM-01 LENC-01 MAT-01
/006 A2
E
WHSR COMMENT: 5 LINER
X
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
D
SIT: SIT
EOB:
S
OP MMED
STU9381
DE RUEHMO #7848 1281657
O 081656Z MAY 86 ZFF4
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
E
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 4573
X
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD IMMEDIATE 7322
and
D
SECRE MOSCOW 07848
mather
S
EXDIS
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: UR, US, KSCA
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REACTOR THREE
E
REF: (A) STATE 144043, (B) MOSCOW 7486
X
D
1. SECRET - ENTIRE TEXT.
2. ON MAY 8, POLCOUNS AND SCICOUNS MET AT THE
S
MF A WITH SERGEY B. CHETVERIKOV, DEPUTY DIRECTOR,
USA DEPARTMENT, TO PRESENT SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS
PER REF A. NOTING THAT HE VIEWED THE POINTS AS
ADDITIONAL TO. THE LIST OF TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
DELIVERED TO THE MF A ON MAY 3 (REF B). CHETVERIKOV
ACCEPTED THEM AND PROMISED TO GIVE OUR CONCERNS
THOROUGH STUDY. CHETVERIKOV REFERRED TO THE
E
TASS SUMMARY OF THE SHCHERBINA PRESS CONFERENCE AND,
X
LOOKING BACK AT OUR TALKING POINTS, SAID THERE WAS
NO BASIS IN SHCHERBINA"S STATEMENT TO SEE
D
CONCERN FOR RADIATION RELEASES FROM REACTOR NUMBER
THREE.
S
3. POLCOUNS SAID THE LACK OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
COULD NOT BUT HURT SOVIET EFFORTS AT DEALING
WITH THE CHERNOBYL' ACCIDENT. HE NOTED THE INTERESTS
OF ALL IN DISTINGUISHING FACT FROM RUMOR.
SHOWING CHETVERIKOV A TASS ENGLISH RELEASE
CONCERNING LINES FOR TRAIN AND AIR TICKETS IN
KIEV, HE ASKED FOR COMMENT ON WHETHER EVACUATIONS
WERE OCCURRING. CHETVERIKOV SAID THERE WAS NO
OFFICIAL EVACUATION. THE TASS RELEASE HAD REFERRED
TO THE FORTHCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON AND TO SOME
ANXIETY. IN LIGHT OF THIS ANXIETY AMONG THE
POPULACE, IT WAS NATURAL THAT A HIGHER PORTION OF
PEOPLE THAN USUAL WOULD BE LEAVING THE AREA.
4. POLCOUNS STRESSED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A COMMON
ONE POTENTIALLY AFFECTING ANY COUNTRY, AND SAID
DROPPING BARRIERS TO THE FLOW OF INFORMATION WOULD
DECLASSIFIED
NLRR F0b-114/8#10468
SECRET
BY LOJ NARA DATE 9/30/08
SECRET
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 02 OF 02 MOSCOW 7848
DTG: 081656Z MAY 86 PSN: 029818
SERVE EVERYBODY' S INTERESTS--AND COULD HELP THE
SOVIET PUBLIC IMAGE PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. HE
REAFFIRMED THE U.S. OFFER OF TECHNICAL AND OTHER
E
ASSISTANCE. CHETVERIKOV SAID HE LARGELY AGREED,
X
AND REITERATED THAT HE WOULD TRANSMIT OUR LATEST
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. POLCOUNS URGED A PROMPT
D
AND SUBSTANTIVE REPLY.
HARTMAN
I
BT
S
E
X
D
S
E
X
D
S
E
X
D
I
S
SECRET
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
UNVIE MISSION VIENN 6977 DTG: 092028Z MAY 86 PSN: 031957
E 0B7 46
AN006843
TOR: 129/2103Z
CSN: HCE811
SCIENCE, PROFESSOR VEL IKOV (PHONETIC) CHAIRMAN OF THE
STATE COMMITTEE FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY, PROFESSOR
DISTRIBUTION: COBB-01 SOMM-01 MAT-01 /003 A2
SIDERENKOV (PHONETIC), AND THEY WERE ALSO IN THE
HELICOPTER WITH US WHEN WE TRAVELLED TO SEE THE PLANT.
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
DURING OUR STAY WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE OURSELVES A ROUGH
SIT: SIT
AND PRELIMINARY PICTURE OF THE ACCIDENT ON THE BASIS OF
EOB:
FRANK AND OPEN TALKS. I SEE THESE TALKS AND THE
INVITATION AS A CONTINUATION OF THE EXCELLENT
COOPERATION THAT WE HAVE HAD FROM THE SOVIET MISSION
THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE IAEA. THE LAST WEEK BEFORE WE
OP IMMED
LEFT WE HAD CONTINUOUS INFORMATION BY CABLE FROM MOSCOW
STU3323
AND WHAT WE DID NOW WAS A FOLLOW UP OF THIS CONTACT.
DE RUEHVI #6977/01 1292039
THIS ROUGH PICTURE OF THE ACCIDENT IS ONE THAT MR.
0 092028Z MAY 86 ZFF4
ROSEN WILL TELL YOU. THE DETAILED PICTURE CANNOT BE
FM UNVIE MISSION VIENNA
GIVEN BY US. ONLY BY THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES, AND IN
DUE COURSE.. HOWEVER, WE ALSO AGREED WITH THE SOVIET
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE
AUTHORITIES ON A NUMBER OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AND
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW NIACT IMMEDIATE
THESE AGREEMENTS ARE OF THE FOLLOWING KIND:
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
MANY OF OUR MEMBERS TURNED TO US AND URGED US TO GET
AMEMBASSY LONDON
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUCLEAR RELEASES FROM THE DAMAGED
PLANT AND WE HAVE PRESENTED THAT NEED TO THE SOVIET
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 MISSION VIENNA 06977
AUTHORITIES AND WE HAVE NOW AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM
UNDER WHICH THEY WILL DELIVER DATA ON THE RELEASE OF
RADIOACTIVITY FROM THE STATION THAT IS NOT so FAR FROM
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS AMBASSADOR KENNEDY, S/NP
CHERNOBYL AND ALSO A NUMBER OF STATIONS OUTSIDE. MR.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/IE PETER BRUSH
ROSEN CAN PERHAPS SUPPLEMENT WHAT I HAVE SAID ABOUT
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
THIS AGREEMENT.
HAROLD DENTON
ROSEN: WE HAVE AGREEMENT THAT DATA WILL BE PROVIDED BY
STATE COMMITTEE OF HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT TO
E.O. 12356: N/A
THE STATE COMMITTEE ON THE UTILIZATION OF ATOMIC
TAGS: TNUC, MNUC, PARM, IAEA, KNNP
ENERGY, AND THEN DAILY, BY TELEX, TO THE VIENNA IAEA
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS
HEADQUARTERS. THE DATA WILL CONSIST OF READINGS OF :
CONFERENCE
-- MILLIROENTGENS PER HOUR;
1. SUMMARY: CABLE REPORTS PRESS CONFERENCE CONDUCTED
-- COORDINANTS OF THE STATION;
BY IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL HANS BLIX DESCRIBING HIS VISIT
-- WIND DIRECTION;
TO SOVIET UNION IN CONNECTION WITH NUCLEAR REACTOR
-- WIND SPEED;
ACCIDENT AT CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER STATION. BLIX
-- THE TEMPERATURE AT 1:00 A.M. WHEN THESE READINGS
REPORTED AGREEMENT BY SOVIETS TO FURNISH RADIOLOGICAL
WILL BE TAKEN;
DATA ON A DAILY BASIS TO AGENCY. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
-- THE DEW POINT;
OF ACCIDENT SEQUENCE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DATA ON
-- AND LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
EXPLOSION AND FIRE, INCLUDING TIME (1:23 A.M. SATURDAY,
BT
APRIL 26), BUT DOES NOT INDICATE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE
ACCIDENT. END SUMMARY.
2. FOLLOWING IS VERBATIM ARRIVAL STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR
GENERAL BLIX UPON HIS ARRIVAL AT SCHWECHAT AIRPORT AT
APPROXIMATELY 6 P.M. MAY 9, 1986: (BL IX INTRODUCED
DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR NUCLEAR POWER L. KONSTANTINOV AND
DIVISION OF SAFETY DIRECTOR MAURICE ROSEN, WHO
ACCOMPANIED HIM TO CHERNOBYL.
BEGIN TEXT.
I RECEIVED AN INVITATION LAST SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH
THE SOVIET AMBASSADOR TO GO TO MOSCOW ON MONDAY,
ARRIVING MONDAY EVENING. ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY WE
WERE IN MOSCOW; WE TALKED WITH MINISTERS, WE TALKED
WITH THE HEADS OF THE STATE COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY
AND HIS SENIOR PEOPLE AND ON THURSDAY, YESTERDAY, WE
FLEW DOWN TO KIEV AND FROM THE KIEV AIRPORT WE WERE
TAKEN BY HELICOPTER UP TO CHERNOBYL AND THEN AROUND THE
NUCLEAR POWER STATION. WE WERE ABOUT 800 METERS FROM
THE DAMAGED UNIT NUMBER FOUR AND WE COULD SEE IT WITH
OUR OWN EYES. WE ALSO HAD TALKS IN KIEV WITH TWO
PERSONS WHO ARE DIRECTING THE OPERATIONS FROM THE CITY
OF CHERNOBYL, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOVIET ACADEMY OF
UNCI ASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
UNVIE MISSION VIENN 6977 DTG: 092028Z MAY 86 PSN: 031962
EOB743
AN006842
TOR: 129/2105Z
CSN: HCE813
EXPERTS THEMSELVES, TO ADEQUATELY ANALYZE WHAT HAS
HAPPENED BEFORE WE CALL SUCH A MEETING. WE HAVE ALSO
DISTRIBUTION: COBB-01 SOMM-01 MAT-01 /003 A2
AGREED THAT IT IS DESIRABLE TO DISCUSS INTERNATIONAL
MEASURES WHICH MIGHT BE DEVELOPED WITHIN THE IAEA TO
IMPROVE NUCLEAR POWER SAFETY. I CANNOT GO, AS DIRECTOR
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
GENERAL TO MOSCOW AND SAY TO THEM WHAT MUST BE DONE
SIT:
BECAUSE THE IAEA IS AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.
EOB:
IT IS FOR THE MEMBERS TO AGREE, BUT WE HAVE AGREED IT
WOULD BE DESIRABLE THAT WE HAVE SUCH DISCUSSION AND I
AM SURE THAT THE CLIMATE WILL BE RIGHT FOR DISCUSSIONS
OF VARIOUS SAFETY ISSUES AT NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS. WE
OP IMMED
HAVE ALSO AGREED ON INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSION OF
UTS6099
POSSIBLE TECHNICAL MEASURES IN NUCLEAR FACILITIES FOR
DE RUEHVI #6977/02 1292040
THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS AND FOR THE REDUCING OF
0 092028Z MAY 86 ZFF4
THEIR CONSEQUENCES.
FM UNVIE MISSION VIENNA
PROFESSOR KONSTANTINOV COULD PERHAPS TELL YOU SOME OF
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE
THE MEASURES WHICH ALREADY EXIST WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATON
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW NIACT IMMEDIATE
IN THE FIELD OF NUCLEAR SAFETY.
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
KONSTANTINOV: CURRENTLY THE AGENCY HAS DONE AND IS
AMEMBASSY LONDON
BEING DONE SPECIAL WORK CONNECTED WITH SAFETY OF
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN PARTICULAR, THREE YEARS AGO IT
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 06 MISSION VIENNA 06977
DEVISED A SPECIAL SYSTEM - INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM
AND THE SOVIET UNION IS A MEMBER OF SUCH A SYSTEM. AND
WE PROVIDE, OF COURSE, THE INFORMATION IN PARTICULAR,
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS AMBASSADOR KENNEDY, S/NP
IN SUCH A SYSTEM, IN GENERAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/IE PETER BRUSH
CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. BUT, OF COURSE, IT WILL
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
TAKE SOME TIME TO CONSIDER ALL THE DATA EXISTING. so,
HAROLD DENTON
ALSO, THERE ARE OTHER ACTIVITIES, AND I WOULD LIKE TO
MENTION NOT ALL OF THEM. YOU COULD GET THE DETAILED
E.O. 12356: N/A
INFORMATION FROM MYSELF OR DOCTOR ROSEN CONCERNING THE
TAGS: TNUC, MNUC, PARM, IAEA, KNNP
ACTIVITY THAT HAS BEEN DONE. IN PARTICULAR WE HAVE
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS
SPECIAL NUCLEAR ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS AND THE AGENCY IS
ABLE AT THE REQUEST OF A STATE TO ASSIST THE MEMBER
THE DATA WILL BE COLLECTED FROM A STATION 68 KMS.
STATE WHO HAS DECIDED TO INVITE THE CORRESPONDING
SOUTHEAST OF CHERNOBYL AND AT SIX OTHER STATIONS ALONG
ASSISTANCE IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE, THE SECRETARIAT,
THE WESTERN BORDER OF THE SOVIET UNION. THESE BEING AT
ARE ABLE TO DO THIS; BUT, THROUGH THE SECRETARIAT, IT
LENINGRAD, RIGA, VILNIUS, BREST, KRACOW (?), KISINOV
IS POSSIBLE TO FIND THE CORRESPONDING EXPERT AND THE
ALONG THE DISTANCE FROM LENINGRAD TO THE BLACK SEA
ASSISTANCE FROM THE OTHER MEMBER STATE OF WHICH THE
THESE STATIONS ARE REGISTERED STATIONS OF THE WORLD
SECRETARIAT IS REQUESTED. I THINK WE ALSO HAVE A LOT
METEOROLOGY ORGANIZATION.
OF SPECIAL DOCUMENTS, IN PARTICULAR, NUCLEAR SAFETY
BT
BLIX: EVIDENTLY THIS MATTER OF GIVING INFORMATION IS
ONLY A PART OF THE MORE GENERAL QUESTION OF ARRANGING
AN INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM FOR THE RELEASE OF DATA ON
RADIOACTIVE RELEASES WHAT HAS BEEN TERMED AN EARLY
WARNING SYSTEM A CONVENTION OF SOME KIND AND I AM SURE
THERE WILL BE A DISCUSSION OF SUCH A SYSTEM. AND IN
THE COMMUNIQUE YOU WILL ALSO FIND EVIDENCE THAT THE
SOVIET UNION IS IN AGREEMENT WITH A MECHANISM OF SOME
KIND AND I TRUST THAT THIS WILL COME UP FOR DISCUSSION
BETWEEN STATES IN THE IAEA. THERE EXISTS AT THE
PRESENT TIME NO MULTILATERAL BINDING RULES ABOUT THE
RELEASE OF SUCH DATA, ONLY GUIDELINES AND WHAT MIGHT BE
AGREED UPON BETWEEN STATES. so, THERE WILL BE WORK ON
THIS IN THE FUTURE WITHIN THE AGENCY.
NOW A SECOND POINT IN THE COMMUNIQUE WHICH I SHOULD
MENTION. OUR SOVIET COLLEAGUES HAVE AGREED WITH US
THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO HAVE A MEETING IN WHICH
THEIR EXPERTS WILL BE ABLE TO DISCUSS WITH EXPERTS FROM
OTHER COUNTRIES ABOUT MAKING AN ANALYSIS OF THE
ACCIDENT AND WHAT WE MAY LEARN FROM IT. ONE OF THE
FUNDAMENTAL ROLES OF THE IAEA IS TO BE A FORUM, A
MECHANISM IN WHICH COUNTRIES CAN LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER
AND THEREBY INCREASE SAFETY. WE SERVED THIS FUNCTION
AFTER THE THREE MILE ISLAND ACCIDENT A NUMBER OF YEARS
AGO AND THERE WILL BE SUCH A POST-ACCIDENT ANALYSIS IN
THIS CASE, TO BE HELD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, CERTAINLY BY
THE SUMMER MONTHS. OF COURSE, WE MUST ALLOW THE SOVIET
UNCI ASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
UNVIE MISSION VIENN 6977 DTG:092028Z MAY 86 PSN:031964
EOB748
AN006841
TOR: 129/2107Z
CSN:HCE814
BASED ON INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY SOVIET OFFICIALS AS
SUPPLEMENTED BY THE GROUPS OWN OBSERVATIONS AT THE SITE.
DISTRIBUTION: COBB-01 SOMM-01 MAT-01 /003 A2
BEGIN TEXT
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER STATION ACCIDENT
SIT:
(A SUMMARY DESCRIPTION BY IAEA REPRESENTATIVES)
EOB:
9 MAY 1986
A FULL AND AUTHORITATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE
ACCIDENT, THE REASONS FOR IT AND CONSEQUENCES OF IT CAN
OP IMMED
ONLY BE GIVEN BY THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES AFTER NECESSARY
STU3328
ANALYSIS. WE HAVE, HOWEVER, PREPARED THE FOLLOWING
DE RUEHVI #6977/03 1292040
BRIEF DESCRIPTION WHICH IS BASED UPON WHAT WE HAVE
0 092028Z MAY 86 ZFF4
LEARNED FROM A NUMBER OF TALKS WITH MINISTERS,
FM UNVIE MISSION VIENNA
OFFICIALS CONCERNED AND EXPERTS AND TO SOME EXTENT FROM
OUR OWN VISUAL OBSERVATIONS DURING A HELICOPTER FLIGHT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE
AROUND THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. MANY OF THE
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW NIACT IMMEDIATE
FACTS GIVEN HERE HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLIC EARLIER.
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
ON THE 26TH OF APRIL AT 1:23 A.M. EXPLOSIONS
AMEMBASSY LONDON
OCCURED IN THE FOURTH UNIT OF THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR
POWER STATION. AT THAT TIME THE REACTOR WHICH WAS
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 06 MISSION VIENNA 06977
UNDERGOING A PLANNED MAINTENANCE SHUT-DOWN WAS AT 7
PERCENT POWER LEVEL. AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION TWO
PERSONS LOST THEIR LIVES, ONE FROM HOT STEAM BURNS, THE
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS AMBASSADOR KENNEDY, S/NP
OTHER OF INJURIES FROM FALLING OBJECTS.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/IE PETER BRUSH
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
so FAR THERE ARE ONLY HYPOTHESES REGARDING THE
HAROLD DENTON
SPECIFIC REASONS FOR THE ACCIDENT. RESEARCH AND
DETAILED ANALYSIS ARE UNDER WAY. RECORDS OF DATA FROM
E.O. 12356: N/A
THE CONTROL ROOM WERE RECOVERED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND
TAGS: TNUC, MNUC, PARM, IAEA, KNNP
ARE BEING STUDIED.
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS
THE EXPLOSIONS CAUSED FIRE. THE REACTOR BUILDING,
EQUIPMENT IN IT, THE REACTOR ITSELF AND THE REACTOR
STANDARDS THAT HAVE BEEN PREPARED AND WHICH DEFINE THE
CORE WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED RESULTING IN RADIOACTIVE
SPECIFIC TASKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAFETY OF NUCLEAR
RELEASES BEYOND THE NUCLEAR POWER STASTION AREA.
POWER PLANTS AND IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO MAKE THE
THE CHAIN REACTION AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED AT THE
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SAFE. IF I SHOULD ALSO MENTION A
TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS IS CONFIRMED BY THE FACT
SPECIAL BODY - THE SPECIAL ADVISORY GROUP (INSAG)
THAT MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF PERSONS AFFECTED SHOWED NO
INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP, WHICH
EVIDENCE OF HIGH NEUTRON FLUX EXPOSURE.
CONSISTS OF 13 PEOPLE, INCLUDING ONE EXPERT FROM THE
BT
USSR. AND THIS GROUP ESPECIALLY CONSIDERS THE
NECESSARY ACTIONS TO INCREASE SAFETY. I BELIEVE THAT
IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO FURTHER GO INTO DETAILS, BUT WE
SUPPOSE THAT THIS GROUP WOULD BE ABLE TO CONSIDER THE
FIRST RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ACCIDENT AT
CHERNOBYL.
BLIX: I WILL END BY NOTING THE THIRD POINT FROM THE
END OF THE COMMUNIQUE, THAT THE SOVIETS HAVE STATED
THAT THE ACCIDENT WILL NOT AFFECT NUCLEAR POWER
DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN THE SOVIET UNION. YOU ARE NO
DOUBT AWARE THAT THE SEVEN HEADS OF STATES AND
GOVERNMENTS THAT MET RECENTLY IN TOKYO SIMILARLY STATED
THE CONVICTION THAT PROPERLY MANAGED NUCLEAR POWER IS
AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN INCREASINGLY WIDELY USED
SOURCE OF ENERGY. ABOUT 15 PERCENT OF THE WORLDS
ELECTRICITY IS TODAY PRODUCED BY NUCLEAR. so, BOTH THE
SOVIET UNION AND THESE WORLD LEADERS ARE OF THE VIEW
THAT THIS WILL REMAIN AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF ENERGY.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS ACCIDENT WILL
BE USED BY NUCLEAR INDUSTRY EVERYWHERE TO IMPROVE
SAFETY. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WITHIN THE IAEA THERE
WILL BE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO LEARN FROM THE TRAGIC
EVENTS THAT THE SOVIETS ARE PAYING VERY DEARLY FOR NOW.
ROSEN THEN READ A TWO AND ONE HALF PAGE PAPER WHICH THE
BLIX GROUP HAD PREPARED IN MOSCOW DESCRIBING THEIR VERY
ROUGH AND PRELIMINARY FINDINGS CONCERNING THE
ACCIDENT. ROSEN EMPHASIZED THAT THIS NARRATIVE WAS
UNCI ASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
UNVIE MISSION VIENN 6977 DTG: ø92ø28Z MAY 86 PSN: 031972
E 0B747
AN006840
TOR: 129/2109Z
CSN:HCE815
ABSORBING MATERIALS - SAND, BORON, CLAY, DOLOMITE AND
LEAD - DROPPED FROM HELICOPTERS OVER THE REACTOR
DISTRIBUTION: COBB-01 SOMM-01 MAT-01 /003 A2
RESULTING IN DECREASING RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS IN THE 30
KM ZONE.
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
NECESSARY SHIFT PERSONNEL WORK ON THE SITE TO KEEP
SIT:
THE UNDAMAGED REACTORS IN SAFE SHUT-DOWN CONDITION.
E OB:
THE THIRD REACTOR ADJACENT TO THE FOURTH, WAS NOT
DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT, AND ITS SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR
COOLING ARE FUNCTIONING.
OP IMMED
THE DAMAGED REACTOR SUFFERED SOME FIRE IN PARTS OF
UTS6101
THE GRAPHITE. THESE FIRES HAVE BEEN EXTINGUISHED BUT
DE RUEHVI #6977/04 1292041
TEMPERATURES REMAIN HIGH. RECRITICALITY IS NOT
0 092028Z MAY 86 ZFF4
CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. THE AIM IS TO ENCASE THE WHOLE
FM UNVIE MISSION VIENNA
FOURTH UNIT IN CONCRETE AND WORK HAS BEGUN TO PLACE A
CONCRETE FOUNDATION UNDER THE REACTOR.
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW NIACT IMMEDIATE
ALTHOUGH NO SYSTEMATIC DATA ON RADIATION LEVELS
AMEMBASSY PARIS
WERE MADE AVAILABLE, SOME VALUES WERE GIVEN. MAXIMUM
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
RADIATION LEVEL WITHIN THE 30 KM ZONE HAS BEEN 10-15
AMEMBASSY LONDON
MILLIREM/HOUR. BY THE 5TH OF MAY IT HAD DECREASED TO
2-3 MILLIREM/HOUR. ON THE 8TH OF MAY IT HAD DROPPED TO
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 06 MISSION VIENNA 06977
A MAXIMUM OF 0.15 AT THE PERIMETER OF THE ZONE. THE
LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVITY IN KIEV'S WATER RESERVOIR WAS
WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS AT ALL TIMES. END TEXT.
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS AMBASSADOR KENNEDY, S/NP
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/IE PETER BRUSH
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
HAROLD DENTON
Q. IS THE DECAY HEAT IN THE REACTOR UNDER CONTROL?
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: TNUC, MNUC, PARM, IAEA, KNNP
A. (ROSEN) THE SOVIETS ARE USING GASEOUS NITROGEN FROM
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS
LIQUID NITROGEN TO CREATE AN INNER ATMOSPHERE. THEY
ARE PUMPING IT FROM UNDER UNIT 3 AND THE TEMPERATURE IS
A LARGE PART OF THE RADIOACTIVE RELEASES CONSISTS
GOING DOWN. (BLIX) BUT DECAY HEAT REMAINS A PROBLEM.
OF THE EMISSION OF SHORT-LIVED RADIONUCLIDES.
Q. DIDN'T THE CORE MELT DOWN?
MEASUREMENTS INDICATE THAT UP TO 50 PERCENT OF THE
EMISSIONS WERE IN THE FORM OF IODINE 131.
A. (ROSEN) NO, NOT TO OUR KNOWLEDGE.
FIRE TEAMS CAME QUICKLY TO THE SITE. WORK WAS
Q. WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE DAMAGE.
COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT NEITHER WATER NOR
BT
CHEMICALS COULD BE USED. FIREMEN AND SOME NUCLEAR
POWER STATION PERSONNEL WERE AMONG THOSE INJURED BY
RADIATION. MOST RESIDENTS IN ADJACENT AREAS WERE
INDOORS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THUS REDUCING THEIR
EXPOSURE.
IN THE EARLY MORNING OF THE 26TH OF APRIL
MONITORING EQUIPMENT REGISTERED INCREASED RADIOACTIVITY
AND REPORTED THIS
EVACUATION BEGAN ON THE 27TH OF APRIL, STARTING
WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN. UP TO 48, 000 PEOPLE WERE
EVACUATED FROM CHERNOBYL AND OTHER LOCATIONS WITHIN A
30 KILOMETER RADIUS.
AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE POTASSIUM IODINE TABLETS
WERE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED INSIDE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE THE
30 KM ZONE.
204 PERSONS INCLUDING NUCLEAR POWER STATION
PERSONNEL AND FIRE FIGHTERS, WERE AFFECTED BY RADIATION
FROM 1ST DEGREE TO 4TH DEGREE, 18 PERSONS BEING IN THE
4TH DEGREE. ALL 204 PERSONS ERE HOSPITALIZED IN
MOSCOW AND TREATED MEDICALLY. IN SOME CASES BONE
MARROW TRANSPLANTS WERE PERFORMED.
THE RADIOACTIVE RELEASES FROM THE DAMAGED UNIT HAVE
BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BY SHIELDING AND NEUTRON
UNCI ASSIFIED
1
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
UNVIE MISSION VIENN 6977 DTG:092028Z MAY 86 PSN:031976
E0B750
AN006839
TOR: 129/2110Z
CSN:HCE816
ARRANGEMENT WHERE COUNTRIES COMMIT THEMSELVES TO
PROVIDE INFORMATION ON NUCLEAR SAFETY AND A FOCAL POINT
DISTRIBUTION: COBB-01 SOMM-01 MAT-01 /003 A2
TO RECEIVE AND DISSEMINATE SUCH INFORMATION. I SEE A
ROLE FOR THE AGENCY IN THIS.
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
Q. WILL THE SOVIETS NOW MAKE THEIR OWN REACTORS SAFER?
SIT:
EOB:
A. (BLIX) THE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON ADDITIONAL
TECHNICAL MEANS WILL BE ANALYZED EVERYWHERE AND
WEAKNESSES IN SAFETY WILL BE USED TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE SOVIET UNION AND ELSEWHERE.
OP IMMED
STU3335
Q. WHAT ABOUT CONTAINMENT?
DE RUEHVI #6977/05 1292042
0 092028Z MAY 86 ZFF4
A. (BLIX) CONTAINMENT IS OBVIOUSLY ONE IMPORTANT
FM UNVIE MISSION VIENNA
BARRIER TO RADIOLOGICAL RELEASE.
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE
Q. WHAT IS THE RADIATION IN THE CHERNOBYL AREA NOW?
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW NIACT IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY PARIS
A. (ROSEN) WE HAVE JUST BEEN HANDED A COPY OF THE
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
FIRST REPORT FROM SOVIET AUTHORITIES BY TELEX AND THE
AMEMBASSY LONDON
INITIAL READING FROM THE STATION 68 KMS. FROM CHERNOBYL
READS 33 MILLIROENTGENS PER HOUR.
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 06 MISSION VIENNA 06977
Q. ISN'T THIS MORE THAN THE READING IN YOUR SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION - TWICE AS MUCH IN FACT?
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS AMBASSADOR KENNEDY, S/NP
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/IE PETER BRUSH
A. (ROSEN) THESE FIGURES MUST BE CAREFULLY ANALYZED
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
BECAUSED THE EARLIER FIGURE WAS NOT TAKEN FROM THE SAME
HAROLD DENTON
PLACE OR UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. WE CAN'T TELL WHAT
THE READING MEANS UNTIL IT IS COMPARED WITH OTHER
E.O. 12356: N/A
COMPARABLE FIGURES.
TAGS: TNUC, MNUC, PARM, IAEA, KNNP
Q. THE SOVIETS HAVE SAID THEY PROVIDED INFORMATION
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET
INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT?
A. (KONSTANTINOV) THERE IS A SPECIAL SPACE FOR WATER
UNDER THE REACTOR IN A DESIGN BASIS ACCIDENT. THE
A. (BLIX) I FIRST RECEIVED INFORMATON FROM THE SOVIET
GASES AND OTHER EFFLUENTS WOULD BE FUNNELED THERE. NOW
AMBASSADOR ON MONDAY EVENING (NOTE THIS IS APRIL 28).
THIS POOL IS DRY AND IS BEING FILLED WITH CONCRETE.
THIS WILL ENABLE THE REACTOR TO BE ENCAPSULATED IN
Q. IS THE USSR IN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION NOW?
CONCRETE.
A. (ROSEN) WELL, THE TEMPERATURE IS DECREASING AND WE
Q. DID YOU TAKE ANY PRECAUTIONS IN FLYING OVER THE
BT
REACTOR.
A. (BLIX) WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE SOVIET
AUTHORITIES AND THEIR JUDGEMENT THAT WE COULD SAFELY
ENTER THE AREA. WE WORE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. (ROSEN)
THE CLOSEST WE CAME TO THE REACTOR WAS 800 METERS (WE
WERE 400 METERS FROM THE REACTOR AND 400 HUNDRED METERS
IN ELEVATION) AT THAT POINT WE WERE AT THE HIGHEST AREA
OF RADIOACTIVITY AND OUR MEASUREMENTS DISCLOSED 350
MILLIROENTGENS PER HOUR. WE HAD DOSIMETERS AND AFTER
CHECKING THEM WE FOUND THAT WE HAD OBTAINED A MINIMAL
DOSE.
Q. WILL IAEAS'S MANDATE BE EXTENDED TO THE
CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES?
A. (BLIX) WE HAVE 70 VOLUMES OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF
NUCLEAR SAFETY AND THESE WILL REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF
GOVERNMENTS, I DO NOT EXPECT TO EVER BECOME THE MANAGER
OF NUCLEAR POWER FACILITIES.
Q. DOESN'T YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE SOVIETS COVER POINT
FOUR OF THE TOKYO COMMUNIQUE?
A. (BLIX) I DON'T KNOW PRECISELY WHAT THE RESULTS OF
DISCUSSIONS MAY BE, WHETHER IT WILL BE A CONVENTION OR
SOMETHING ELSE. THIS IS UP TO MEMBER GOVERNMENTS.
HOWEVER, WHAT THE WORLD WILL NEED IS A PERMANENT
UNCLASSIFIED
8
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
UNVIE MISSION VIENN 6977 DTG: 092028Z MAY 86 PSN: 031985
EOB755
AN006838
TOR: 129/2116Z
CSN: HCE820
DISTRIBUTION: COBB-01 SOMM-01 MAT-01 /003 A2
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
SIT:
EOB:
OP IMMED
UTS6104
DE RUEHVI #6977/06 1292042
O 092028Z MAY 86 ZFF4
FM UNVIE MISSION VIENNA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW NIACT IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY LONDON
UNCLAS SECTION 06 OF 06 MISSION VIENNA 06977
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS AMBASSADOR KENNEDY, S/NP
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/IE PETER BRUSH
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
HAROLD DENTON
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: TNUC, MNUC, PARM, IAEA, KNNP
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS
ARE TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO HOT SPOTS IN THE AREA. THE
SITUATION IS STABILIZING. PERHAPS ONE CAN BE
OPTIMISTIC.
Q. ONLY PERHAPS?
A. (ROSEN) PERHAPS.
Q. DO YOU HAVE ANY VIEWS ON THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION?
A. (BLIX) THE SOVIETS HAVE SEVERAL HYPOTHESES ON THE
CAUSE, BUT THEY ARE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT PINPOINTING THE
CAUSE AT THIS STAGE. THEY HAVE DATA FROM THE REACTOR
AND WILL BE REACHING CONCLUSIONS ON THIS, HOPEFULLY IN
THE NEAR FUTURE.
Q. WHY WON' T THE FIGURES YOU ARE RECEIVING FROM THE
SOVIETS BE REALIZED TO THE PUBLIC?
A. (BLIX) WE ARE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATON AND
WILL BE PROVIDING THIS MATERIAL TO AUTHORIZED
RADIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION AND MEMBER STATES. YOU
WOULDN' T FIND THESE FIGURES VERY ENTERTAINING.
NOTE: MISSION TRANSCRIPTION OF BLIX INTRODUCTORY
STATEMENTS AND SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE CHERNOBYL
NUCLEAR POWER STATION ACCIDENT ARE ESSENTIALLY
VERBATIM. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE OUR BEST EFFORT TO
SUMMARIZE NOTES TAKEN DURING CROWDED AND NOISY PRESS
CONFERENCE WITHOUT BENEFIT OF RECORDING.
THE IAEA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT DIRECTOR GENERAL BLIX WILL
BRIEF MEMBER GOVERNMENTS IN THE IAEA BOARD ROOM AT 3:30
P.M. ON MONDAY, MAY 12. MISSION WILL BE PRESENT AND
REPORT ANY RELEVANT RESULTS OF THAT BRIEFING. CHAPMAN
BT
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
F.le
Character
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 7868
DTG: 091844Z MAY 86 PSN: 031753
E0B697
AN006820
TOR: 129/1904Z
CSN:HCE770
- H. BLIX WAS INFORMED THAT NECESSARY OPERATIONAL
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 SOMM-01 LENC-01 MAT-01 /005 A2
PERSONNEL ARE PRESENT AT THE THREE UNDAMAGED CHERNOBYL
NPS UNITS, WHICH ARE SHUT DOWN.
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
- H. BLIX AND HIS COLLEAGUES ACCEPTED THE
SIT:
INVITATION TO VISIT THE CHERNOBYL NPS AREA, WHERE
EOB:
THEY RECEIVED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS TO ON-SITE
CONDITIONS AND MEASURES BEING TAKEN FOR THE
ELIMINATION OF CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACCIDENT.
OP IMMED
- IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FROM THE DIRECTOR-
STU3064
GENERAL OF THE IAEA, THE SOVIET SIDE EXPRESSED ITS
DE RUEHMO #7868/01 1291849
WILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE, AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE,
0 091844Z MAY
85
INFORMATION ON THE ACCIDENT TO BE DISCUSSED AT A
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
MEETING OF NUCLEAR SAFETY EXPERTS IN ORDER TO
ASSIST IAEA MEMBER-STATES TO LEARN FROM THIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4595
ACCIDENT AND THUS TO FURTHER IMPROVE NUCLEAR
POWER SAFETY.
INFO UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
EASTERN EUROPEAN POSTS
- THE SOVIET SIDE IS READY TO PROVIDE THE IAEA
USIA WASHDC 4646
WITH INFORMATION ON THE LEVEL OF RADIATION FROM A
STATION LOCATED AT THE DISTANCE OF 60 KM FROM THE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MOSCOW 07868
NPS AND FROM SEVERAL OTHER STATIONS LOCATED ALONG
THE WESTERN BOARDER OF THE USSR, THE AGENCY WILL
BE DISTRIBUTING THIS INFORMATION TO NATIONAL
DEPT FOR CWG:LGALLINI
RADIATION PROTECTION AUTHORITIES CONCERNED.
E.O. 12356: N/A
- THE SOVIET SIDE STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT WILL
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, IAEA, UR
NOT AFFECT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NUCLEAR POWER
SUBJECT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS CONFERENCE:
DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN THE SOVIET UNION.
-
MOSCOW, MAY 9. 1986
- WAYS OF FURTHER IMPROVING NUCLEAR POWER SAFETY
REF: GALLINI-BEALL TELCON, 9 MAY 86
WERE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL MEASURES
WHICH MAY BE USEFULLY DEVELOPED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK
1. FOLLOWING IS COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT CLOSE OF
OF THE IAEA IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES
DG HANS BLIX VISIT TO THE USSR DATED MAY 9, 1986.
OF NUCLEAR POWER ACCIDENTS. BOTH PARTIES NOTED THAT
SUCH MEASURES MAY INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TIMELY
WARNING MECHANISM ON RADIOACTIVITY RELEASES WHICH COULD
2. BEGIN QUOTE:
AFFECT AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL BOUNDARIES, PROVISION
OF INFORMATION ON BACKGROUND LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVITY AND
- ON THE INVITATION FOR THE USSR GOVERNMENT THE
THE INTRODUCTION OF POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY
MEASURES IN NUCLEAR FACILITIES FOR THE PREVENTION
AGENCY (IAEA) H. BLIX VISITED THE SOVIET UNION FROM
OF ACCIDENTS AND REDUCING THEIR CONSEQUENCES.
5 TO 9 MAY 1986.
BT
- HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-
GENERAL L.V. KONSTANTINOV AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE
NUCLEAR SAFETY DIVISION M. ROSEN.
- BLIX AND THE ACCOMPANYING HIM IAEA SPECIALISTS
WERE RECEIVED BY THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE USSR
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS B.E. SHERBINA, AT THE
USSR MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND AT THE USSR
STATE COMMITTEE FOR THE UTILIZATION OF ATOMIC
ENERGY.
- IN THE COURSE OF THE VISIT H. BLIX AND THE
SPECIALISTS ACCOMPANYING HIM WERE PROVIDED INFOR-
MATION PERTAINING TO THE ACCIDENT AT THE CHERNOBYL
NUCLEAR POWER STATION (NPS). WAYS OF FURTHER
ENHANCING NUCLEAR POWER SAFETY BY STRENGTHENED
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INCREASING THE
IAEA ROLE IN THIS AREA WERE DISCUSSED.
- THE SOVIET EXPERTS GAVE THE IAEA REPRESENTATIVES
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACCIDENT AT THE UNIT 4
OF THE CHERNOBYL NPS AND ABOUT THE MEASURES TAKEN
FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACCIDENT.
UNCI ASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 7868
DTG: 091844Z MAY 86 PSN: 031755
E0B700
AN006819
TOR: 129/1906Z
CSN:HCE771
THE ACCIDENT AND ARE BEING STUDIED.
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 SOMM-01 LENC-01 MAT-01 /005 A2
- THE EXPLOSIONS CAUSED FIRE. THE REACTOR BUILDING,
EQUIPMENT IN IT, THE REACTOR ITSELF AND THE REACTOR
CORE WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED RESULTING IN RADIOACTIVE
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
RELEASES BEYOND THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION AREA.
SIT:
EOB:
- THE CHAIN REACTION AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED AT THE
TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS IS CONFIRMED BY THE FACT
THAT MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF PERSONS AFFECTED SHOWED
NO EVIDENCE OF HIGH NEUTRON FLUX EXPOSURE.
OP IMMED
STU3065
- A LARGE PART OF THE RADIOACTIVE RELEASES
DE RUEHMO #7868/02 1291849
CONSISTS OF THE EMISSION OF SHORT-LIVED RADIONUCLIDES.
0 091844Z MAY 86
MEASUREMENTS INDICATE THAT UP TO 50 PERCENT OF THE
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
EMISSIONS WERE IN THE FORM OF IODINE 131.
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4596
- FIRE TEAMS CAME QUICKLY TO THE SITE. WORK WAS
COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT NEITHER WATER NOR
INFO UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
CHEMICALS COULD BE USED. FIREMEN AND SOME NUCLEAR
EASTERN EUROPEAN POSTS
POWER STATION PERSONNEL WERE AMONG THOSE INJURED
USIA WASHDC 4647
BY RADIATION. MOST RESIDENTS IN ADJACENT AREAS
WERE INDOORS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THUS
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 MOSCOW 07868
REDUCING THEIR EXPOSURE.
-
IN THE EARLY MORNING OF THE 26TH OF APRIL
DEPT FOR CWG:LGALLINI
MONITORING EQUIPMENT REGISTERED INCREASED RADIO-
ACTIVITY AND REPORTED THIS.
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, IAEA, UR
- EVACUATION BEGAN ON THE 27TH OF APRIL, STARTING
SUBJECT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS CONFERENCE:
WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN. UP TO 000 PEOPLE WERE
EVACUATED FROM CHERNOBYL AND OTHER LOCATIONS WITHIN
- BOTH PARTIES STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF IAEA
A 30 KILOMETER RADIUS.
ACTIVITIES, THOSE DIRECTED TO NUCLEAR SAFETY AS WELL
AS THOSE DIRECTED TO ENSURE A TOTALLY PEACEFUL
UTILIZATION OF NUCLEAR POWER.
- AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE POTASSIUM IODINE TABLETS
WERE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED INSIDE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE
END TEXT (COMMUNIQUE).
THE 30KM ZONE.
- 204 PERSONS INCLUDING NUCLEAR POWER STATION
3. FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS READ BY IAEA OFFICIAL
PERSONNEL AND FIRE FIGHTERS, WERE AFFECTED BY
MORRIS ROSEN AFTER PRESENTATION OF THE COMMUNIQUE.
RADIATION FROM 1ST DEGREE TO 4TH DEGREE, 18 PERSONS
BEING IN THE 4TH DEGREE. ALL 204 PERSONS WERE
HOSPITALIZED IN MOSCOW AND TREATED MEDICALLY. IN
4. BEGIN TEXT:
SOME CASES BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS WERE PERFORMED.
BT
- A FULL AND AUTHORITATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE
ACCIDENT, THE REASONS FOR IT AND CONSEQUENCES OF IT
CAN ONLY BE GIVEN BY THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES AFTER
NECESSARY ANALYSIS. WE HAVE, HOWEVER, PREPARED THE
FOLLOWING BRIEF DESCRIPTION WHICH IS BASED UPON
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM A NUMBER OF TALKS WITH
MINISTERS, OFFICIALS CONCERNED AND EXPERTS AND TO
SOME EXTENT FROM OUR OWN VISUAL OBSERVATIONS DURING
A HELICOPTER FLIGHT AROUND THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR
POWER PLANT. MANY OF THE FACTS GIVEN HERE HAVE BEEN
MADE PUBLIC EARLIER.
- ON THE 26TH OF APRIL AT 1:23 A.M. EXPLOSIONS
OCCURRED IN THE FOURTH UNIT OF THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR
POWER STATION. AT THAT TIME THE REACTOR WHICH WAS
UNDERGOING A PLANNED MAINTENANCE SHUT-DOWN WAS AT
7 PERCENT POWER LEVEL. AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION
TWO PERSONS LOST THEIR LIVES, ONE FROM HOT STEAM
BURNS, THE OTHER OF INJURIES FROM FALLING OBJECTS.
so FAR THERE ARE ONLY HYPOTHESES REGARDING
THE SPECIFIC REASONS FOR THE ACCIDENT. RESEARCH
AND DETAILED ANALYSIS ARE UNDER WAY. RECORDS
OF DATA FROM THE CONTROL ROOM WERE RECOVERED AFTER
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 7868
DTG:091844Z MAY 86 PSN:031759
EOB702
AN006818
TOR: 129/1907Z
CSN:HCE772
- WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE AIR THE SITE OF THE
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 SOMM-01 LENC-01 MAT-01 /005 A2
CHERNOBYL ATOMIC POWER STATION. THE IAEA DIRECTOR-
GENERAL SAID IN AN INTERVIEW TO THE SOVIET
TELEVISION. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT VAST WORK IS
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
BEING DONE TO KEEP THE REACTOR UNDER CONTROL.
SIT:
COMPETENT PERSONS HAVE TOLD US ABOUT THE WORK
EOB:
BEING DONE.
- IT IS APPARENT THAT VERY VAST WORK HAS BEEN
DONE OVER THE PAST FORTNIGHT AND THAT IT WAS
OP IMMED
SUCCESSFUL, THE IAEA DIRECTOR-GENERAL NOTED. WE
STU3067
HOPE THAT THE SITUATION WILL BE STABILIZING.
DE RUEHMO #7868/03 1291850
END TEXT.
0 091844Z MAY 86
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
HARTMAN
BT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4597
INFO UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
EASTERN EUROPEAN POSTS
USIA WASHDC 4648
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 MOSCOW 07868
DEPT FOR CWG: LGALLINI
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, IAEA, UR
SUBJECT: IAEA DG BLIX PRESS CONFERENCE:
- THE RADIOACTIVE RELEASES FROM THE DAMAGED UNIT
HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BY SHIELDING AND NEUTRON
ABSORBING MATERIAL - SAND, BORON, CLAY, DOLOMITE AND
LEAD - DROPPED FROM HELICOPTERS OVER THE REACTOR
RESULTING IN DECREASING RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS IN THE
30 KM ZONE.
- NECESSARY SHIFT PERSONNEL WORK ON THE SITE TO
KEEP THE UNDAMAGED REACTORS IN SAFE SHUT-DOWN
CONDITION. THE THIRD REACTOR ADJACENT TO THE
FOURTH, WAS NOT DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT, AND ITS
SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR COOLING ARE FUNCTIONING.
- THE DAMAGED REACTOR SUFFERED SOME FIRE IN PARTS
OF THE GRAPHITE. THESE FIRES HAVE BEEN EXTINGUISHED
BUT TEMPERATURES REMAIN HIGH. RECRITICALITY IS NOT
CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. THE AIM IS TO ENCASE THE
WHOLE FOURTH UNIT IN CONCRETE AND WORK HAS BEGUN
TO PLACE A CONCRETE FOUNDATION UNDER THE REACTOR.
- ALTHOUGH NO SYSTEMATIC DATA ON RADIATION LEVELS
WERE MADE AVAILABLE, SOME VALUES WERE GIVEN. MAXIMUM
RADIATION LEVEL WITHIN THE 30KM ZONE HAS BEEN 10-15
MILLIREM/HOUR. BY THE 5TH OF MAY IT HAD DECREASED
TO 2-3 MILLIREM/HOUR. ON THE 8TH OF MAY IT HAD
DROPPED TO A MAXIMUM OF 0.15 AT THE PERIMETER OF THE
ZONE. THE LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVITY IN KIEV'S WATER
RESERVOIR WAS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS AT ALL TIMES.
END TEXT.
5. TASS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING RELEASE MAY 8:
BEGIN TEXT: DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL
ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) HANS BLIX, TODAY
VISITED THE AREA OF THE CHERNOBYL ATOMIC POWER
STATION, CENTRAL TELEVISION OF THE USSR REPORTED.
UNCLASSIFIED
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
TIME STAMP
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT STAFFING DOCUMENT
SYSTEM LOG NUMBER: 3535 add-on
86 MAY 9 A 7: 23
ACTION OFFICER: **FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY**
DUE:
Prepare Memo For President
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Chew
Prepare Memo For Poindexter / Fortier
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Elliott
Prepare Memo
to
CONCURRENCES/COMMENTS*
PHONE* to action officer at ext.
FYI
FYI
FYI
Burghardt
Levine
Sachs
Cannistraro
Linhard
X
Sestanovich
Childress
Mahley
Sigur
Cobb
Major
Small
Covey
Mandel
Sommer
Danzansky
X
Matlock
Soos
deGraffenreid
May
Stark
Djerejian
Menges
Steiner
Dobriansky
Miller
Tahir-Kheli
Donley
North
Teicher
Douglass
Platt
Thompson
Grimes
X
X
Pugliaresi
Tillman
Hughes
Raymond
Wigg
Kraemer
Reger
Wright
Laux
Ringdahl
Lenczowski
Sable
INFORMATION
X
McDaniel
XI
Pearson
Secretariat
X
Rodman
Lehman
Poindexter (advance)
Fortier (advance)
COMMENTS
Return to Secretariat
S/S 8614444
13
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
#3535
SECRET
May 8, 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR VADM JOHN M. POINDEXTER
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: Chernobyl Reactor Update
Status of Reactor Site
Yesterday's concern over a fire in reactor 3 was probably
misplaced: smoke was reportedly observed coming from an
adjacent building yesterday, but today's imagery does not
confirm earlier reading of a fire at or near reactor 3. The
Soviets appear to have shut down reactor 3, and cooldown is
proceeding.
The situation at unit 4 continues as before. Vapor
continues to rise from the reactor, and there is still
tremendous heat in the core despite Soviet efforts to choke it
with sand. The major Soviet concern now seems to be that heat
in the core of unit 4 could melt through its concrete base,
possibly leading to a major steam explosion and contamination
of ground water, but no major release of radiation into the
atmosphere.
Whatever the outcome, the Soviets face an enormous,
unprecedented cleanup operation, and are seeking additional
ideas from abroad on how to handle the problem.
Soviet Activities
Reports from several Western sources support media claims
of many voluntary departures from Kiev: a Canadian diplomat
there May 7 reported a sense of "disquiet" in the city; other
reports indicate extra trains and planes are being made
available for people wishing to leave the city; increased
security is reported in Moscow around trains arriving from Kiev
to prevent Western news teams filming.
Soviet Academy of Science Vice President Velikhov said that
decontamination teams tunneled under the damaged reactor,
evidently to lay a base of boron to try to shut down the
reaction. He said the incident presented problems unique in
the history of the nuclear power industry, and that the Soviets
were mounting an offensive to fully neutralize, or deaden, the
reactor.
SECRET
DECLASSIFIED
DECL: OADR
NLRR F06-114/8#10469
BY nos NARA DATE 9/30/08
14
SECRET
Soviet MFA organized press pool to visit Kiev May 8, return
to Moscow May 9.
West Germany reported it was lending two special robots to
Soviets to help survey damage.
Floyd Culler has confirmed that he will accompany Armand
Hammer to Moscow Monday (not for public release). IAEA
Director General Blix will brief Culler prior to his
departure. We hope Culler will be able to carry on Blix's
dialogue with the Soviets.
Hammer's people informed us that Doctor Gale plans to
remain in Moscow 30 days. His team has identified 33 patients
for bone marrow transplant operations, and anticipates more
will be selected later. The team is presently doing two
operations per day. The Soviets indicate that they do not need
more foreign specialists.
IAEA DG's Trip to Moscow
IAEA Director General Blix flew over Chernobyl today and
reported that the damaged reactor is still emitting smoke. His
trip to Moscow is scheduled to end Friday. Blix plans press
conferences Friday in Moscow and on his return to Vienna. He
also has scheduled a debrief on the trip for IAEA mission
representatives in Vienna Monday afternoon. A high-ranking
IAEA source (U.S. national) confirms that the trip is going
well. The media are quoting Soviet sources as saying the USSR
agreed "in principle" to placing an IAEA continuous
radiological measuring station at Chernobyl.
Health Information
To assure our personnel that their food supplies are safe,
FDA will measure radioactivity levels in foodstuffs submitted
by Soviet and East European posts.
The World Health Organization says that assuming no further
major release, the risk to the public has passed and the public
can resume normal activities and diet. WHO believes testing
measures adopted by European countries will screen out
contaminated food, making precautions unnecessary.
Restrictions are justified only for products from the
contaminated area near the accident and areas of enhanced
contamination from rainfall.
SECRET
SECRET
American Citizen Welfare
The travel advisory recommending against travel to Kiev and
adjacent areas remains in effect. Public inquiries continue at
a high level, with most calls concerning the advisability of
travel to Europe and suggested public health precautions. We
continue to urge travelers to employ the measures suggested by
PHS, and to check with our embassies and consulates for local
public health recommendations
Nicholas Platt
Executive Secretary
SECRET
CONFIDENTIAL
16
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
TIME STAMP
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT STAFFING DOCUMENT
SYSTEM LOG NUMBER: 3535 add-on
86 MAY 8 A 31
7
ACTION OFFICER: **FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY**
DUE:
Prepare Memo For President
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Chew
Prepare Memo For Poindexter / Fortier
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Elliott
Prepare Memo
to
CONCURRENCES/COMMENTS*
PHONE* to action officer at ext.
FYI
FYI
FYI
Burghardt
Levine
Sachs
Cannistraro
Linhard
Sestanovich
Childress
Mahley
Sigur
Cobb
Major
Small
Covey
Mandel
Sommer
Danzansky
Matlock
Soos
deGraffenreid
May
Stark
Djerejian
Menges
Steiner
Dobriansky
Miller
Tahir-Kheli
Donley
North
Teicher
Douglass
Platt
Thompson
Grimes
Pugliaresi
Tillman
Hughes
Raymond
Wigg
Kraemer
Reger
Wright
Laux
Ringdahl
Lenczowski
Sable
INFORMATION
McDaniel
Pearson
Secretariat
Rodman
Lehman
Poindexter (advance)
Fortier (advance)
COMMENTS
DECLASSIFIED
By While as House Guideilnes, NARA, Date August 7/29/02 1997
CONFIDENTIAL
Return to Secretariat
17
S/S 8614359
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
CONFIDENTIAL
May 7, 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR VADM JOHN M. POINDEXTER
THE WHITE HOUSE
DECLASSIFIED
NLRR F06-114/8#10470
BY LOT NARA DATE 9/30/08
SUBJECT: Chernobyl Reactor Update
Status of Chernobyl Reactor Site
The damaged reactor four is still emitting smoke/vapor.
Soviet technicians are working at the site. The town of
Chernobyl is now evacuated, and no new evacuations have been
detected.
Intelligence indicates there is a problem at reactor
three: a fire has been detected at or near it. The Soviets
appear to be responding to this situation. We have cabled
Stockholm and Bonn to ask host governments for information they
may have on reactor three's status.
Soviet Activities
Soviets have approached Swedish nuclear scientists with
questions which suggest a worsening situation in reactor three
that could result in another emission of radiation. The Swedes
directed the Soviets to the West German Institute at Karslruhe
which has done research in this area. Soviet press conference
statement yesterday, indicating that reactor three requires
"careful technical examination", and prior statements alluding
to "complicated" situation increase concern over possible
reactor three problems. We have instructed Embassy Moscow to
ask the Foreign Ministry to provide up to date information on
the condition of each reactor, especially reactor three due to
its proximity to the damaged reactor.
Armand Hammer, who will travel Moscow Monday for the Soviet
opening of his exchange of art exhibitions, has invited
respected atomic energy expert and former deputy director of
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Floyd Culler to accompany him.
Culler's visit, like that of bone marrow specialist Dr. Gale,
would be privately arranged between Hammer's organization and
Soviet authorities.
USG Teams in Europe
USG teams at our missions in the USSR and Eastern Europe
have been instructed to remain in place given the continuing
uncertainties regarding the Chernobyl reactor site.
CONFIDENTIAL
DECL: OADR
CONFIDENTIAL
American Citizen Welfare
The travel advisory for Kiev and surrounding area remains
in effect. Public inquiries remain steady, averaging 30-35
calls per hour. U.S. citizens traveling to affected areas
continue to be advised of precautionary measures put out by the
United States Public Health Service.
for Nicholas Bonckmilay Platt
Executive Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
19
TIME STAMP
EXACU
3 SECRETARIAT STAFFING DOCUMENT
86 MAY 6 All: 43
SYSTEM LOG NUMBER:
3535 ADD-ON
ACTION OFFICER:
MATLOCK
DUE: MAY 8, 1986
Prepare Memo For President
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Chew
Prepare Memo/For Poindexter / Fortier
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Elliott
Prepare Memo
to
CONCURRENCES/COMMENTS*
PHONE* to action officer at ext.
5112
FYI
FYI
FYI
Burghardt
Levine
Sachs
Cannistraro
Linhard
Sestanovich
Childress
Mahley
Sigur
Cobb
Major
Small
Covey
Mandel
Sommer
Danzansky
Matlock
Soos
deGraffenreid
May
Stark
Djerejian
Menges
Steiner
Dobriansky
Miller
Tahir-Kheli
Donley
North
Teicher
Douglass
Platt
Thompson
Grimes
X
Pugliaresi
Tillman
Hughes
Raymond
Wigg
Kraemer
Reger
Wright
Laux
Ringdahl
Lenczowski
Sable
INFORMATION
McDaniel
X
Pearson
Secretariat
Rodman
Lehman
Poindexter (advance)
Fortier (advance)
COMMENTS
DECLASSIFIED
White Nouse CAS Guidelines, August 28, 1997
By
NARA, Date 7/29/02
CONFIDENTIAL
Return to Secretariat
S/S 8614155
20
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
CONFIDENTIAL
May 5, 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR VADM JOHN M. POINDEXTER
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: Update on Chernobyl Incident
Status of Chernobyl Site
May 5 imagery shows continuing smoke or vapor being emitted
from unit 4. These continuing emissions indicate that unit 4 is
still hot enough to discharge radioactive materials into the
atmosphere, albeit in decreasing amounts. The emissions also
indicate that the Soviets have not yet sealed the damaged reactor,
despite their claims they have succeeded in doing so.
The cooling water intake pond for units 3 and 4 appears
completely dry. Since unit 3 is not yet completely cooled down,
it presumably is being cooled by some alternative means, perhaps
through a tie-in with the intake pond for units 1 and 2 or a
direct feed from the primary pumphouse.
However, we can think of no safety-related reason for emptying
the intake ponds, and are concerned that the drying up of the pond
could be a sign of a problem with unit 3. Some cooling is, of
course, needed to remove residual heat from even a shutdown RBMK
reactor's core. If there is a problem with unit 3's core cooling,
the Soviets have two to four days to work out solutions.
Approximately 400 of the 500 buses seen yesterday in Chernobyl
have left, suggesting that the weekend visit of Politburo members
may have spurred additional evacuation activity.
Readings in Japan
Iodine 131 levels in rainwater collected May 4 in Japan are
not considered dangerous. Rainwater readings were 1700
picocuries/liter (pcl) in Tokyo and 13,300 pcl at Narita.
Soviet Activity
The site visit by Politburo members Ligachev, Ryzhkov, and
Scherbitskiy was clearly designed to illustrate that the situation
is under control and to allay fears, but the evacuation of nearby
areas appears to have stepped up following their inspection.
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
DECL: OADR
NLRR F06-114/8#10466
BY LDT NARA DATE 9/30/08
CONFIDENTIAL
21
-2-
USG Teams in Affected Areas
Further readings in Warsaw, Bucharest, and Moscow confirm
our initial assessment that radioactivity levels there present
no significant health concerns at this time, but we need more
data on radiation exposure levels in Poland before lifting our
recommendation against travel by women of child-bearing age and
children.
Potential Effects on U.S.
Very low levels of radioactivity were detected at 30,000
feet off the West Coast this morning by the Air Force. Measure-
ments of radioactivity above the Pacific indicate that radio-
active debris has entered the jet stream and is traveling
toward the U.S. at 120 to 150 miles per hour, at an approximate
altitude of 30,000 feet.
EPA predicts that in general radiation levels will be
low. Areas of the U.S. experiencing rain from high altitude
will begin to show radioactivity levels above background which
are expected nevertheless to remain within safe limits.
for
Nicholas Pomckinley Platt
Executive Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL
22
CONF IDENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 7859
DTG: 091007Z MAY 86 PSN: 030911
EOB882
AN006458
TOR: 129/1036Z
CSN: HCE523
SOME SECOND-CLASS SLEEPER CARS APPEARED ALMOST FULL
OF YOUNG CHILDREN. THE ATMOSPHERE WAS ONE OF CALM,
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 KRAM-01 SOMM-01 LENC-01 MAT-01
AND PEOPLE WERE GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS. WHILE
/006 A2
PASSENGERS DISEMBARKING FROM THE L'VOV AND BUCHAREST
TRAINS APPEARED TO BE A MORE NORMAL MIX, CERTAIN CARS,
PROBABLY ADDED ON IN KIEV, WERE AGAIN MOSTLY FILLED
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
WITH WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND ELDERLY PEOPLE. A SPECIAL
SIT: SIT
TRAIN ARRIVING FROM KIEV AT 1055, WHICH WAS OBSERVED
EOB:
BY MILATT, CONTAINED 22 CARS PASSENGERS WERE ABOUT
45-50 PERCENT CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, AND ABOUT 80
PERCENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
OP IMMED
COMMENT: IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN THESE
STU1393
"CHILDREN TRAINS" OTHER THAN A DE FACTO EVACUATION.
DE RUEHMO #7859/01 1291009
WHILE THIS IS A THREE-DAY WEEKEND--AND IN FACT, SOME
0 091007Z MAY 86
BE-MEDALLED VETERANS WERE DISEMBARKING FROM THE
FM AMEMBASS) MOSCOW
TRAINS-- LAST WEEKEND WITH A FOUR-DAY BREAK IN
HONOR OF MAY FIRST WAS "THE" BIG SOVIET SPRING
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4584
HOLIDAY. CONSIDERING THE CLEAR ABSENCE OF TEENAGERS
AND MALE ADULTS, IT'S NOT AS IF SCHOOL HAD BEEN LET
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD 7326
OUT YET IN KIEV AND FAMILIES WERE COMING TO MOSCOW FOR
USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4644
A VACATION. THE KIEVSKIY STATION SCENE TOGETHER
AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 8016
WITH CONVERSATIONS EMBOFF OVERHEARD ABOUT OTHER
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 1584
FAMILY MEMBERS TRAVELING TO VILLAGES, GIVES THE
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST IMMEDIATE 1473
IMPRESSION OF AN ANXIETY-DRIVEN EXODUS. END COMMENT.
AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 0306
AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 2413
- AUSTRIAN SAMPLES FINALLY ARRIVE FROM ZHLOBIN
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 2833
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 5193
AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 1137
3. THE AUSTRIAN EMBASSY REPORTS THAT THE AUSTRIAN
AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 2433
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AT ZHLOBIN FINALLY PUT THEIR
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE IMMEDIATE 2111
FEET DOWN AND DECLARED THEY WOULD NOT CONTINUE
AMEMBASSY SOF IA IMMEDIATE 1361
WORKING UNLESS THEY WERE ALLOWED TO SEND FOOD, WATER
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 3512
AND SOIL SAMPLES BACK TO VIENNA FOR ANALYSIS. THE
AMEMBASSY WARSAW IMMEDIATE 3715
UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
SOVIET OFFICIALS ON THE SCENE FINALLY RELENTED,
USDOE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
AND A CAR WAS LOADED WITH SAMPLES AND DISPATCHED
TO THE AUSTRIAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW. ON THE WAY,
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 07859
THE AUSTRIAN DRIVER SUFFERED RELENTLESS HARASSMENT,
INCLUDING NUMEROUS PUNCTURED TIRES AND SEVERAL
MILITIA CHECKS, WHICH GAVE THE AUSTRIANS THE IMPRESSION
FOR S/NP: AMBASSADOR KENNEDY
NOT EVERYONE IN THE SOVIET BUREAUCRACY AGREED WITH
THE DECISION TO LET THE SAMPLES OUT. HOWEVER,
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
THEY FINALLY REACHED MOSCOW AND HAVE BEEN SENT TO
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, CASC, UR
VIENNA.
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: REPORT NO. 18
BT
-
AS OF 0800 GMT, MAY 9
REF: MOSCOW 7850
1. ENTIRE TEXT.
SCENE AT KIEVSKIY STATION, MAY 9
2. SCIOFFS AND TWO MILATTS OBSERVED FOUR TRAINS
ARRIVING IN MOSCOW FROM KIEV, L'VOV AND BUCHAREST
BETWEEN 0900 AND 0945 LOCAL TIME MAY 9. (THE LATTER
TWO TRAINS PASSED THROUGH KIEV.) PASSENGERS ON THE
TWO KIEV TRAINS WERE AGAIN MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN;
EMBOFFS ESTIMATE ABOUT 35 PERCENT OF PASSENGERS WERE
SMALL CHILDREN WITH A TOTAL OF ABOUT 70 PERCENT
DECLASSIFIED
WOMEN AND CHILDREN. FEW TEENAGERS OR PRE-TEENS
WERE OBSERVED. A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MET THE
TRAINS. MANY OF THE WOMEN WERE TRAVELING IN GROUPS.
NLRR F06-114/8#1047
OTHERS WERE BEING MET BY PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS,
UNCLES/AUNTS, OR FRIENDS. SEVERAL UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN WERE OBSERVED BEING MET BY GRANDPARENTS/
BY LOS NARA DATE 9/30/08
UNCLES OR BEING ESCORTED BY TRAIN STEWARDESSES.
CONF IDENTIAL
CONF DENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 7859
DTG: 091007Z MAY 86 PSN: 030914
EOB883
AN006457
TOR: 129/1037Z
CSN:HCE524
TO SAY HIS TROUPE HAD BEEN "RADIATED" WHILE IN
KIEV. HE EVEN CLAIMED HIS HAIR WAS STARTING TO
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 KRAM-01 SOMM-01 LENC-01 MAT-01
FALL OUT. COMMENT: BOTH WE AND OUR SOURCE
/006 A2
BELIEVE THIS EXAGGERATED, BUT IT DOES SHOW HOW THE
ACCIDENT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES ARE SPREADING FEAR
THROUGH THE POPULATION. END COMMENT. HARTMAN
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
BT
SIT: SIT
EOB:
OP IMMED
STU1396
DE RUEHMO #7859/02 1291010
0 091007Z MAY 86
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4585
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD 7327
USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4645
AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 8017
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 1585
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST IMMEDIATE 1474
AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 0307
AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 2414
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 2834
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 5194
AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 1138
AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 2434
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE IMMEDIATE 2112
AMEMBASSY SOFIA IMMEDIATE 1362
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 3513
AMEMBASSY WARSAW IMMEDIATE 3716
UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
USDOE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
CONF
IDENTIAL SECTION 02 OF 02 MOSCOW 07859
FOR S/NP: AMBASSADOR KENNEDY
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, CASC, UR
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL' NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: REPORT NO. 18
- FRG EMBASSY: LEVELS NORMAL
4. THE FRG EMBASSY REPORTS THEIR MAY 8 MEASUREMENT
IN MOSCOW SHOWED "NORMAL" RADIATION LEVELS. THE
GERMANS REPORT NO SUCCESS IN TRACKING DOWN INFORMATION
ON REPORTS CONCERNING PROBLEMS WITH CHERNOBYL'
REACTOR THREE.
- CHERNIGOV CLOSED?
5. AN UNOFFICIAL SOVIET CONTACT WITH RELATIVES
IN THE AREA HAS TOLD EMBOFF THAT THE CITY OF CHERNIGOV
HAS ALLEGEDLY BEEN CLOSED TO ALL EXCEPT THOSE WITH
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS. ROADBLOCKS HAVE BEEN SET UP
ON ROADS LEADING TO THE CITY, HE REPORTS, AND TRAIN
TICKETS ARE NOT BEING SOLD. THE SOURCE BELIEVES
AN EVACUATION OF THE CITY MAY BE PLANNED. THE SAME
SOURCE REPORTED, WITHOUT GIVING IT MUCH CREDENCE,
THAT AN ACTOR FRIEND HAD CALLED HIM FRANTICALLY
CONF IDENTIAL
24
8614553
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
3535
May 9, 1986
SECRET
MEMORANDUM FOR VADM JOHN M. POINDEXTER
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: Update on Chernobyl Reactor Accident
Status of Reactor Site
May 9 imagery shows smoke/vapor continuing to emanate from
reactor 4, but no evidence of smoke near reactor 3. A Soviet
press statement said the roof of the building housing reactor 3
had caught fire earlier, but was extinguished. The latest
imagery also shows continued vehicular and earth-moving
activity. There are no signs of "tunneling" under unit 4.
Activities in the Soviet Union
IAEA Nuclear Safety Division Director Morris Rosen announced
at the conclusion of IAEA Director General Blix's Moscow visit
that the fire is out in unit four and that the Soviets are now
working to prevent a core melt in that reactor. According to
Rosen, the Soviets agreed to provide IAEA with daily readings
from radiation monitors at the site and along their western
frontier. Rosen also said that due to the blast 204 people
suffering from radiation exposure -- 18 of whom suffer from
fourth degree (the worst) -- are in hospitals in Moscow.
The NRC has offered the Soviets technical expertise and
analytical techniques to aid them in dealing with the potential
contamination of ground and surface water should reactor four's
core penetrate its concrete base and enter underlying soil.
Effects Outside the Soviet Union
We are no longer recommending that women of child-bearing
age and children under sixteen defer travel to Poland. Data,
including that collected in the past week by an EPA radiation
specialist in Poland, indicate that radiation levels in the air
currently pose no hazard. No Embassy dependents accepted our
offer of voluntary departure.
Data reported from other countries through our posts or
directly to the NRC do not indicate that a health hazard
exists. Travelers continue to be advised to exercise food
precautions and be mindful of the advice of local authorities.
DECLASSIFIED
Nicholas Platt
Executive Secretary
NLRR F06 714/8#10467
BY LOS NARA DATE 9/30/08
SECRET
Environmental
Public Affairs (A-107)
25
EPA
Soviet Nuclear
MATLOCK
Accident
F.le:
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1986
A Task Force Report
CONTACT: DAVE COHEN (202) 382-4355
The first results from the U.S. milk monitoring network
show no detected radioactivity in any sample. Sample collection
dates and locations are as follows: May 7 - Atlanta, Georgia;
St. Louis, Missouri; May 6 - Portland, Maine; Concord,
New Hampshire; Louisville, Kentucky; Tampa, Florida; Baltimore,
Maryland; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington;
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Las Vegas, Nevada; Charleston, West Virginia;
Laramie, Wyoming; Charleston, South Carolina; Albuquerque,
New Mexico; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
May 5 - Manchester, New Hampshire; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake
City, Utah; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Hartford, Connecticut;
Cincinnati, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Witchita, Kansas;
Indianopolis, Indiana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Omaha, Nebraska;
Charlotte, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chattanooga,
Tennessee; Rapid City, South Dakota; Des Moines, Iowa;
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Knoxville, Tennessee; May 4 -
Spokane, Washington; May 1 - Iowa City, Iowa; April 30 -
Montpelier, Vermont.
Yesterday's Task Force Report identified trace
radioactivity in air samples collected May 6 in Denver, Colorado
and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Air samples collected in these two
cities on May 7 show radiation levels have returned to normal
background. All other EPA air particulate samples show no
increase above normal background levels. DOE has reported that
an air sample from Richland, Washington collected on May 8
showed traces of iodine-131 (0.165 pCi/m³), tellurium-132
(0.02 pCi/m³), ruthenium-103 (0.02 pCi/m³) and cesium-137
(0.028 pCi/m³).
In addition to the results of rainwater analyses contained in
previous Task Force Reports, two additional EPA rainwater samples
have been found to contain iodine-131. The sample collected in
Portland, Oregon on May 5 contained 460 pCi/1, representing a
deposition of 138 pCi/m 2 The sample collected in Idaho Falls,
Idaho on May 6 contained 120 pCi/1, representing a deposition of
38.4 pCi/m 2 These levels are similar to those reported in
previous reports and pose no danger to the public. All other EPA
rainwater samples analyzed since the last report show no activity
detected. DOE has reported that two rainwater samples collected at
(more)
26
-2-
Idaho Falls, Idaho on May 8 showed 113 pCi/1 and 620 pCi/1 of
iodine-131 and 24 pCi/1 and 130 pCi/1 of molybdinum-99. The State
of New York has reported that two rainwater samples collected May 7
contained 36 pCi/1 and 90 pCi/1 of iodine-131. The Task Force will
include in its daily update results reported to it by state agencies.
There may be additional results from these agencies that have not
yet been reported to the Task Force.
Secretary of Agriculture Richard Lyng notes that the Commodity
Credit Corp. has large inventories of non-fat dry milk which could
be made available or donated under certain circumstances to replace
milk which is being discarded in countries affected by the Chernobyl
nuclear accident.
The latest information available on the reactor is that
the number four unit may still be smoldering. We have no
confirmation of late reports that the smoldering has been
extinguished. We also have no reason currently to suspect
problems at the number three unit, although we repeat that
any time a reactor must be brought to a "cold shutdown" there
are inherent rísks, and we will continue to monitor the entire
facility. We do believe that there is remedial activity taking
place under the number four reactor, but the exact scope and nature
of that activity remains unclear.
Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department
of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service have routine
procedures in place to monitor food from foreign countries. Working
with U.S. Customs Bureau officials, the agencies are now giving
particular attention, as a result of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl
April 25-26, to products originating in Austria, Czechoslovakia,
Denmark, East Germany, Finland, Hungary, Japan, Norway, Poland, the
Soviet Union, Sweden and West Germany. Countries may be added to or
removed from the list as further data are obtained. FDA has increased
monitoring and analysis of these country's fresh dairy products
(soft unripened cheese, for example), fresh fruit and vegetables
and fresh fish for radioactive contamination. Countries exporting
meat and poultry products to the United States are being provided
special procedures by the Food Safety and Inspection Service for
monitoring before shipment to the United States. If sampling and
testing of foods, or other information, present a concern to either
agency about a product from a country, all shipments of other
products will be automatically detained and analyzed before they are
released.
The most recent Canadian rainwater and milk samples show no
increase in radiation above normal background levels.
(more)
27
-3- -
The Task Force has received a very large number of
questions about the precise location of the radioactivity in the
air at various altitudes above ground level and the predicted
movement of this radioactivity across the United States. By
now, the releases from the Chernobyl accident have become so
dispersed that exact forecasting is not possible. We will
continue to monitor air, water, and milk for increased radiation
levels. We expect that any increases will be comparable to the
low levels already seen.
Preliminary interpretation of May 8 LANDSAT data indicate
that the "hotspot" at the Chernobyl number four reactor is no
longer apparent. A full analysis will be available early next
week by LANDSAT.
Revised advice on tourist travel to Poland: The State
Department is no longer recommending that women of child bearing
age and children defer travels to Poland. Data, including that
collected in the past week, by an EPA expert in Poland, indicate
that radiation levels in the air currently pose no health hazard.
However, the U.S. Public Health Service continues to urge certain
health precautions for travelers in the countries affected.
Information on these precautions is available from U.S. embassies
and consulates in the region.
The EPA Press Office will be open for reporters' calls on
the Chernobyl nuclear accident from 10:00 a.m. to noon EDT over
the weekend of May 10-11. The Press Office also will issue an
updated report on the accident on those days.
# # #
28
AIR SAMPLING DATA 5/8/86
Gross Beta Act
Sampling Station
Date Started
Date Removed
(pci/m**3)
Gamma Emitter
(pci/m**3)
Lab
Field
ALBANY, NY
4/22/86
4/29/86
0.01
<10
NASHVILLE, TN
4/29/86
4/30/86
0.01
<10
ASHFORD, AL
4/24/86
5/ 1/86
0.01
NA
CHARLESTON, WV
5/ 1/86
5/ 2/86
0.00
NA
IDAHO FALLS, ID
5/ 1/86
5/ 2/86
0.02
<10
PORTLAND, OR
5/ 1/86
5/ 2/86
0.00
<10
IDAHO FALLS, ID
5/
5/ 3/86
0.02
<10
PORTLAND, OR
5/ 2/86
5/ 3/86
0.00
<10
MIAMI, FL
5/
4/86 5/86 5/86 5/86 5/86 2/86 2/86 3/86
5/ 4/86
0.02
<10
IDAHO FALLS, ID
5/ 3/86
5/ 4/86
0.01
<10
PORTLAND, OR
5/ 3/86
5/ 4/86
0.00
<10
PORTLAND, OR
5/ 4/86
5/ 5/86
0.01
<10
MONTPELIER, VT
5/
5/ 5/86
0.01
<10
MONTGOMERY, AL
5/
5/ 5/86
0.02
<10
GOLDSBORO, PA
5/
5/ 6/86
0.13
<10
BISMARCK, ND
5/
5/ 6/86
0.02
<10
PORTLAND, OR
5/
5/ 6/86
0.02
<10
JUNEAU, AK
5/
5/ 6/86
0.01
<10
TMI, PA
5/ 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.10
<10
TOPEKA, KS
5/
5/ 6/86
0.23
<10
ANCHORAGE, AK
5/
5/ 6/86
0.01
<10
PIERRE, SD
5/ 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.05
<10
MONTGOMERY, AL
5/ 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.10
<10
HARRISBURG, PA
5/
5/86 5/86 5/86 5/86 5/86 5/86 5/86 5/86 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.09
<10
LITTLE ROCK, AR
5/
5/ 6/86
0.04
<10
LANSING, MI
5/
5/ 6/86
0.05
<10
SPOKANE, WA
5/
5/ 6/86
0.02
<10
MONTPELIER, VT
5/
5/ 6/86
0.06
<10
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
5/
5/ 6/86
0.05
<10
SANTA FE, NM
5/
5/ 6/86
0.06
<10
HELENA, MT
5/ 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.02
<10
PITTSBURGH, PA
5/ 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.04
<10
AUSTIN, TX
5/ 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.05
<10
HARTFORD, CT
5/ 5/86
5/ 6/86
0.05
<10
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.28
<10
LYNCHBURG, VA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.46
<10
AUGUSTA, ME
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.03
<10
SYRACUSE, NY
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.17
<10
CHEYENNE, WY
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.31
<10
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.10
<10
LINCOLN, NE
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.25
<10
CHICAGO, IL
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.37.
<10
29
2
LITTLE ROCK, AR
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.13
<10
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.02
<10
LOS ANGELES, CA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.09
<10
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.28
<10
TOLEDO, OH
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.13
<10
KNOXVILLE, TN
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.39
<10
JACKSONVILLE, FL
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.02
<10
NEW ORLEANS, LA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.07
NA
---
HELENA, MT
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.16
<10
TOPEKA, KS
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.23
<10
---
MADISON, WI
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.29
<10
WILMINGTON, NC
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.03
<10
OLYMPIA, WA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.01
<10
FRANKFORT, KY
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.34
<10
SPOKANE, WA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.21
<10
COLUMBUS, OH
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.39
<10
DENVER, CO
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.32
<10
BERKELEY, CA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.03
<10
JACKSON, MS
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.24
<10
PAINESVILLE, OH
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.07
<10
GOLDSBORO, PA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.40
<10
CHARLESTON, WV
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.45
<10
PHOENIX, AZ
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.10
<10
HONOLULU, HI
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.06
NA
HARRISBURG, PA
5/ 6/86
5/
0.16
<10
COLUMBIA, SC
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.17
<10
YAPHANK, NY
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
IDAHO FALLS, ID
7/86 7/86
0.05
<10
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.23
<10
CHARLOTTE, NC
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.29
<10
PORTLAND, OR
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.03
<10
NEW YORK CITY, NY
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.08
<10
MIAMI, FL
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.01
<10
NIAGARA FALLS, NY
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.11
<10
NASHVILLE, TN
5/ 6/86
5/
0.31
<10
WILMINGTON, DE
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.16
<10
TMI, PA
5/ 6/86
5/ 7/86
0.30
<10
ND = Not Detected
NA = Not Available
30
MILK DATA
5/7/86
Activity
Station
Date Collected
pCi/l
Manchester, NH
5/5
ND
Portland, OR
5/5
ND
Salt Lake City, UT
5/5
ND
Grand Rapids, MI
5/5
ND
Hartford, CT
5/5
ND
Cincinnati, OH
5/5
ND
Portland, ME
5/6
ND
Chicago, IL
5/5
ND
Montgomery, AL
5/6
ND
Witchita, KS
5/5
ND
Spokane, WA
5/4
ND
Indianapolis, IN
5/5
ND
Montpelier, VT
4/30
ND
Concord, NH
5/6
ND
Iowa City, IA
5/1
ND
ND = Not Detected
MILK DATA
5/8/86
Activity
Station
Date Collected
pCi/1
Louisville, KY
5/6
ND
Tampa, FL
5/6
ND
Oklahoma City, OK
5/5
ND
Omaha, NE
5/5
ND
Charlotte, NC
5/5
ND
Baltimore, MD
5/6
ND
San Francisco, CA
5/6
ND
Seattle, WA
5/6
ND
Milwaukie, WI
5/6
ND
Kansas City, MO
5/6
ND
Minneapolis, MN
5/5
ND
Minneapolis, MN
5/6
ND
Chattanooga, TN
5/5
ND
Las Vegas, NV
5/6
ND
St. Louis, MO
5/7
ND
Rapid City, SD
5/5
ND
Des Moines, IA
5/5
ND
Atlanta, GA
5/7
ND
Charleston, WV
5/6
ND
Philadelphia, PA
5/5
ND
Laramie, WY
5/6
ND
Charleston, SC
5/6
ND
Knoxville, TN
5/5
ND
Albequerque, NM
5/6
ND
Harrisburg, PA
5/6
ND
Pittsburg, PA
5/6
ND
ND = Not Detected
PRECIPATION DATA 5/8/86
Activity
Station
Date Collected
pCi/1
pCi/m**2
Concord, NH
5/2
ND
ND
Berkeley, CA
5/4
ND
ND
Topeka, KS
5/6
ND
ND
Little Rock, AR
5/7
ND
ND
Idaho Falls, ID
5/5
ND
ND
New York City, NY
5/4
ND
ND
Montpelier, VT
5/6
ND
ND
Portland, OR
5/5
460 +/ - 67%
138
(I-131)
Concord, NH
5/6
ND
ND
Topeka, KS
5/7
ND
ND
Salt Lake City, UT
5/7
ND
ND
Idaho Falls, ID
5/6
120 +/- 91%
38.4
(I-131)
Berkeley, CA
5/7
ND
ND
Columbus, OH
5/7
ND
ND
Harrisburg, PA
5/6
ND
ND
Indianapolis, IN
5/7
ND
ND
Montpelier, VT
5/7
ND
ND
Augusta, ME
5/7
ND
ND
ND = Not Detected
CONF IDENTIAL
33
WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
PAGE 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 7879
DTG: 101302Z MAY 86 PSN: 033233
SIT423
TOR: 130/1308Z
DISTRIBUTION: SIT /002 MCD MATL PEAR
OP IMMED
STU4571
DE RUEHMO #7879 1301303
0 101302Z MAY 86 ZFF4
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 4604
C
0
D
E
A
MOSCOW 07879
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: TRGY, SW, UR
SUBJECT: OFFER OF AID FROM THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMARRLEN (NRC)
REF: STATE 148483
1. 70 TO ENTIRE TEXT.
2. POLCOUNS AND SCICOUNS MADE DEMARCHE PER REFTEL
HANDING OVER NON-PAPER WITH TEXT OF DETAILS,
IN MAY 10 MEETING WITH MFA USA BILATERAL SECTION
CHIEF SREDIN.
3. SREDIN THANKED US SIDE FOR CONCERN AND FOR
INFORMATION IN NON-PAPER WHICH WOULD IMMEDIATELY
BE TRANSMITTED TO APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES. HE
DECLASSIFIED
NLRR F06-114/8# 10472
CONFIDENTIAL
BY LOT NARA DATE 9/30/08
LUNT IDENTIAL
34
WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
PAGE 02 OF 02 MOSCOW 7879
DTG: 101302Z MAY 86 PSN: 033233
THOUGHT MANY PRIOR US QUESTIONS HAD BEEN ANSWERED
IN THE MAY 9 PRESS CONFERENCE BY IAEA OFFICIALS.
POLCOUNS REPLIED THAT US QUESTIONS REMAINED IN FORCE
AND SREDIN SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THIS.
COMBS
BT
CONF IDENTIAL
SECREI
35
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
TIME STAMP
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT STAFFING DOCUMENT
SYSTEM LOG NUMBER:
86 MAY 12 A7:23 A 23
Chermolyl 3535 add-on
ACTION OFFICER: **FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY**
DUE:
Prepare Memo For President
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Chew
Prepare Memo For Poindexter / Fortier
Prepare Memo McDaniel to Elliott
Prepare Memo
to
CONCURRENCES/COMMENTS*
PHONE* to action officer at ext.
FYI
FYI
FYI
Burghardt
Levine
Sachs
Cannistraro
Linhard
x
Sestanovich
Childress
Mahley
Sigur
Cobb
Major
Small
Covey
Mandel
Sommer
Danzansky
Matlock
Soos
deGraffenreid
May
Stark
Djerejian
Menges
Steiner
Dobriansky
Miller
Tahir-Kheli
Donley
North
Teicher
Douglass
Platt
Thompson
Grimes
X
Pugliaresi
Tillman
Hughes
Raymond
Wigg
Kraemer
Reger
Wright
Laux
Ringdahl
Lenczowski
Sable
INFORMATION
McDaniel
Pearson
Secretariat
Rodman
Lehman
Poindexter (advance)
Fortier (advance)
COMMENTS
DECLASSIFIED
By
White CVS House Guidelines, August 23, 1997
NARA, Date 7/29/02
SECRET
Return to Secretariat
S/S 8614644
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
May 10, 1986
SECRET
MEMORANDUM FOR VADM JOHN M. POINDEXTER
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: Chernobyl Reactor Update
Status of Reactor Site
Clouds and haze over the site on May 10 preclude any
determination through imagery of smoke/vapor emission status.
Approximately 100 vehicles are now near the reactor
administration building, including 20 decontamination trucks.
Major earthmoving projects continue, including at least one
causeway/dam across one of the Pripyat River estuaries,
probably in an attempt to prevent rainwater runoff from
entering the river.
Soviet-related Activities
Prior to leaving Moscow, IAEA DG Hans Blix and Morris Rosen
provided personal comments on Soviet handling of the incident
in a private conversation with a Swedish diplomat. They
indicated that their major problem was leading the Soviets out
of their "blind alley" on the question of making meaningful
data available to the international community. Rosen felt that
the psychological unwillingness of local authorities to accept
the gravity of the accident contributed to Soviet difficulties
in handling the incident in its early stages. Rosen said
trans-boundary radiation should not be a further problem, and
that effects on the food cycle would be clearer in several
months, after the first post-disaster harvest.
Effects Outside the Soviet Union
A EUCOM radiation monitoring expert is being sent to
Helsinki Monday after our Embassy there expressed concern over
early radiation readings reported in intelligence sources. We
believe the early readings are erroneous in either measurement
or interpretation, but prefer to send the expert to be certain.
We have indications that radiation levels are dropping in
most places in Europe. Many European governments have shifted
their focus to longer term health effects and assessments of
the implications of the accident for nuclear energy in general.
DECLASSIFIED
SECRET
NLRR F06-114/8# 10473
BY LOJ LOJ NARA DATE 9/30/08
37
SECRET
- 2 -
An OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency meeting held Friday in Paris
concluded that no immediate action is required on nuclear power
plant safety in OECD countries; that worldwide cooperation in
nuclear safety, such as that called for in the Tokyo Summit
statement, is needed; and that at this stage the accident has
caused no significant risk to public health in OECD countries.
Possible Early IAEA Board of Governors Meeting
IAEA DG Blix has received a telegram from FRG S&T Minister
Riesenhuber requesting an "extraordinary meeting" of the IAEA
Board of Governors next week to "deal with Chernobyl." DG Blix
will consult with the Resident Representatives in his briefing
to them on Monday afternoon. If an early Board meeting is
called, Ambassador Kennedy is prepared to attend and would
include on the U.S. delegation representatives from DOE and NRC.
We are drafting U.S. positions on such questions as an
expanded safety mandate for the IAEA, the possibility of
additional U.S. funding for IAEA safety activities, the issue
of indemnification by the Soviet Union for damages caused
outside its borders, and negotiating an international
convention calling for mandatory reporting on radiation
releases.
for
Nicholas Platt
Executive Secretary
SECRET
38
WASHFAX RECEIPT
DEPARIMENT Ur STATE
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
C
86 MAY 12 P7:16
B
86
2.
MAY 12 P 7: 50
S/S #
WHITE HOUSE
MESSAGE NO. J07719
SITUATION ROOM
CLASSIFICATION
No. Pages
FROM: birector
CWG 647-1512
1516
(Officer name)
(Office symboll
(Extension)
(Room number)
MESSAGE Group DESCRIPTION lishanding Chernobyl
working
16:
TO: (Agency)
DELIVER TO:
Extension
Reem-No.
H- - CIA, FBIS
C- WHSE MATCOCK
I- M Emergy FEMA
S
SECDEF, JCS, NMCC
F- USA NSOC
G- NMIC
K-1 - Ireasury
FOR:
CLEARANCE
INFORMATION
PER REQUEST
COMMENT
REMARKS:
S/B Officer: Javires
ORM
DE 1760
8
...
39
Washington. D.C. 20520
DIST.
May 12, 1986
S
D
P
E
menorandun FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY JOHN D. NEGROPONTE
T
M
SUBJECT: Disbanding Chernobyl Working Group
C
A
H
PA
The Secretary has instructed that the operations
INR
of the Chernobyl Working Group under your direction
EUR (5)
be suspended effective May 12, 1986 at 1100 hours EDT
OES (5)
S/S-O (2)
Your Working Group Director should prepare a
S/S-S
final Working Group report which should be hand
S/S (3)
delivered as an Information Memorandum to the
S/S-1
Executive Secretary and S/S-I Director, Room 7516. A
SOTFO
copy should also be sent to S/S-O (SOTFO). This
MILREP
report should include a copy of the Working Group
EDITOR
log, copies of the Working Group Sitreps and copies
L
of all other pertinent Working Group documents.
OC
CA
EB
10
Mucholes Mad
PM
Nicholas Platt
UNA
Executive Secretary
CA/OCS
UNA
M/MO
SP
PA/HO
NSA (LDX)
TREAS (LDX)
SECDEF (LDX)
JCS (LDX)
CIA (LDX)
WHSR (LDX)
NSOC (LDX)
NMCC (LDX)
MNIC (LDX)
ENERGY (LDX)
FBIS (LDX)
EPA (Courier)
NOAA (Courier)
NRC (Courier)
40
CONF IDENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
AMCONSUL LENINGRAD 1070 DTG:121310Z MAY 86 PSN:035543
EOB690
AN007231
TOR: 132/1329Z
CSN:HCE390
ON SALE IN THE LENINGRAD AREA WHICH ORIGINATE IN THE
UKRAINE. THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES HAVE, HOWEVER, CHECKED
DISTRIBUTION: COBB-01 KRAM-01 SOMM-01 MAT-01 /004 A2
ESPECIALLY CLOSELY SOME VEGETABLE VENDORS FROM MOLDAVIA.
THEIR PRODUCTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE NORMAL LEVELS OF
RADIATION.
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
SIT:
EOB:
5. THE DUTY OFFICER AT THE LENINGRAD NUCLEAR POWER
STATION AT SOSNOVIY BOR REPORTS THAT ALL REACTORS "CONTINUE
TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. MAGEE
BT
OP IMMED
STU7229
DE RUFHLG #1070 1321310
0 121310Z MAY 86
FM AMCONSUL LENINGRAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4698
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 5954
CONFILENTIAL LENINGRAD 01070
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: TRGY, KSCA, SENV, CASC, UR
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL' NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: SPECIAL MEASURES
AT LENINGRAD
REF: MOSCOW 7859
1.
ENTIRE TEXT.
2. IN THE WAKE OF THE CHERNOBYL' DISASTER, THE SOVIET
AUTHORITIES HAVE SET UP RADIATION MONITORING
STATIONS AT PULKOVO AIRPORT. ONE STATION IS IN THE
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, AND IS USED TO TEST FOREIGN
TOURISTS WHO HAVE BEEN IN KIEV DURING THEIR STAY AND
ARE LEAVING THE SOVIET UNION FROM LENINGRAD. THE OTHER
IS IN THE DOMESTIC AIRPORT.
3. ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCES, SOVIET INSISTENCE ON
RADIATION CHECKS HAS CAUSED OCCASIONAL PROBLEMS. ON
MAY 4, A LARGE GREEK TOUR GROUP WAS BOARDING A FLIGHT
TO EASTERN EUROPE WHEN INTOURIST SUDDENLY REALIZED
THE GROUP HAD BEEN IN KIEV MAY 1-3 AND HADN'T BEEN
CHECKED YET. THE GREEKS WERE SHUFFLED THROUGH THE
RADIATION ROOM, AND NEARLY ALL OF THEM SHOWED HIGHER
THAN NORMAL RADIATION IN THEIR CLOTHING--UP TO TEN TIMES
THE NORMAL LEVEL. SOVIET OFFICIALS AT FIRST
REFUSED TO LET THE GREEKS LEAVE. THE CLOTHES, THEY
SAID, WOULD HAVE TO BE DECONTAMINATED. THE IRATE GREEKS
PROTESTED, HOWEVER, AND AT THE LAST MINUTE THE SOVIETS
RELENTED, ALLOWING THEM TO BOARD THEIR PLANE.
3. POST HAS NOTED NO SPECIAL MEASURES TAKEN THUS FAR
AT TRAIN STATIONS, AND NO INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF
TRAINS FROM KIEV. PASSENGERS ON WEEKEND TRAINS,
HOWEVER, WERE PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
DECLASSIFIED
4. THE LENGORISPOLKOM MAIN ADMINISTRATION FOR HEALTH
HAS INFORMED THE CONSULAR CORPS THAT ALL FOOD PRODUCTS
NLRR F06-114/8*10474
PUT ON SALE AT STATE STORES AND COLLECTIVE FARM
MARKETS ARE BEING CHECKED FOR RADIATION BEFORE THEY ARE
BY LOJ NARA DATE 9/30/08
ALLOWED TO BE PUT ON SALE. ACCORDING TO THE WEST GERMAN
DPO, THERE ARE NO DAIRY, VEGETABLE OR MEAT ITEMS CURRENTLY
CONF DENTIAL
CONF DENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 7929
DTG: 121255Z MAY 86 PSN: 035526
EOB643
AN007222
TOR: 132/1311Z
CSN: HCE382
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 SOMM-01 RODM-01 LENC-01 MAT-01
/006 A2
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
SIT:
EOB:
OP IMMED
UTS8560
DE RUEHMO #7929 1321300
O 121255Z MAY 86
FM AMEMBASS MOSCOW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4626
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD IMMEDIATE 7337
AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 0314
AMCONSUL FRANKFURT IMMEDIATE 8612
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECMD// IMMEDIATE
JCS WASHDC//J4-LRD/J5// IMMEDIATE
SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
CINCUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE/AEAMD//, IMMEDIATE
HQUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE/SGAX/SGPA//, IMMEDIATE
CDR 7TH MEDCOM HEIDELBERG GE//AEMCS/AEMPS/AEMPS//, IMMEDIATE
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//N47// IMMEDIATE
CONFI DENTIAL MOSCOW 07929
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: KSCA, ENRG, SENV, CASC, AMED, UR
SUBJECT: PROPOSED DEPARTURE OF RADIATION MONITORING TEAM
1. CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT.
2. VISAS FOR THE MILITARY RADIATION MONITORING TEAM
TO REMAIN IN THE USSR EXPIRE WEDNESDAY, MAY 14.
THE TEAM BELIEVES, AND EMBASSY CONCURS, THAT
IT HAS FINISHED ITS TASK HERE IN MOSCOW AND SHOULD
RETURN TO GERMANY. CONTINUED MONITORING OF
RADIATION LEVELS WOULD BE PERFORMED BY EMBASSY
SCIENCE OFFICER TRAINED BY THE TEAM TO USE THE
EPA-PROVIDED EQUIPMENT.
3. EMBASSY THEREFORE PLANS TO SEND TEAM BACK TO
GERMANY ON EVENING OF MAY 13, AND seeks DEPARTMENT
CONCURRENCE IN THIS COURSE OF ACTION. EMBASSY ALSO
REQUESTS DEPARTMENT' S INSTRUCTIONS ON WHETHER
RADIATION FIGURES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE SUPPLIED ON
A DAILY BASIS UPON TEAM' S DEPARTURE. GIVEN SHORT
TIME REMAINING TO ARRANGE TEAM' S DEPARTURE, OR
ALTERNATIVELY, VISA EXTENSION, EMBASSY REQUESTS
DEPARTMENT' S REPLY ASAP.
COMBS
BT
DECLASSIFIED
NLRR F06-114/8#10475
BY LOT NARA DATE 9/30/08
CONFIDENTIAL
42
CONF NOENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 8045
DTG: 131459Z MAY 86 PSN: 037638
E0B767
AN007882
TOR: 133/1543Z
CSN: HCE846
-- MILK PRODUCED "IN THE REGION OF THE ACCIDENT"
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 KRAM-01 SOMM-01 RODM-01 LENC-01
IS CURRENTLY BEING "RE-PROCESSED AND WILL BE
MAT-01 /007 A2
SOLD AS CHEESE AND BUTTER NOT EARLIER THAN THREE
MONTHS FROM NOW so THAT THE LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE
IODINE WILL BE NEGLIGIBLE."
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
SIT: SIT MCD PEAR MART RODM MATL
-- A THIRTY-TWO METER HIGH/DEEP CONCRETE WALL
EOB:
IS BEING BUILT AROUND THE COMPLEX so THAT RAINWATER
RUNOFF AND THE POLLUTED, SANDY SOIL CANNOT FLOW
INTO THE PRIPYAT RIVER. WORK ON A NEW CONCRETE
FOUNDATION CONTINUES. PLANS ARE TO ENTOMB REACTOR
OP IMMED
NO. 4 IN CONCRETE.
STU1308
DE RUEHMO #8045/01 1331512
POLYMERS (PURCHASED FROM THE FRENCH) ARE
0 131459Z MAY 86
BEING SPRAYED ON CONTAMINATED SOIL AND THEN
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
REMOVED, BRINGING THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
WITH IT. REPORTEDLY, 1 MILLION SQUARE METERS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4698
HAVE ALREADY BEEN so TREATED.
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD IMMEDIATE 7366
-- WHILE REACTORS NO. 1 AND 2 ARE READY TO BE
USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4681
REACTIVATED, NO. 3 IS STILL UNDERGOING DECONTAMINATION
AMEMBASSY BERL IN IMMEDIATE 8022
AND WILL NOT/NOT BE PUT BACK INTO OPERATION.
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 1589
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST IMMEDIATE 1479
-- OF THE SIX STATIONS ESTABLISHED TO MONITOR
AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 0324
RADIATION LEVELS TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION TO
AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 2420
THE IAEA, ONLY TWO--ONE IN KISHINEV AND ONE IN RAKHOV--
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 2838
SHOW READINGS ABOVE BACKGROUND. ON THE MORNING
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 5202
OF THE BRIEFING, THE KISHINEV STATION RECORDED
AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 1149
0.03 MILLIROENTGEN/HR.
AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 2439
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE IMMEDIATE 2117
-- RE ZHLOBIN, HIGHEST READING WAS RECORDED ON
AMEMBASSY SOFIA IMMEDIATE 1367
MAY 1 AT 0.5 MILLIROENTGEN/HR; CURRENTLY IT IS
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 3519
0.2 MILLIROENTGEN/HR. THIS MORNING KIEV REGISTERED
AMEMBASSY WARSAW IMMEDIATE 3723
0.22 MILLIROENTGEN/HR.
UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
USDOE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
-- IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM SEVERAL AMBASSADORS,
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 04 MOSCOW 08045
SHCHERBINA STATED THAT ANSWERS TO THE LIST OF
QUESTIONS THEIR GOVERNMENTS HAD DELIVERED TO
SOVIET AUTHORITIES ABOUT CHERNOBYL' WOULD BE
FOR S/NP: AMBASSADOR KENNEDY
FOUND IN THE FINAL REPORT ISSUED BY HIS
COMMISSION, PROBAB: IN JULY. WHEN SOME
PASS USDA FOR STOLFA/FSIS, FAS, ERS, OICD
AMBASSADORS ASKED ABOUT RECEIVING SOVIET RADIATION
READINGS AND OTHER INFORMATION USEFUL TO CURRENT
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
DOMESTIC DEBATES IN WESTERN EUROPE OVER A BOYCOTT
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, CASC, UR
BT
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: REPORT NO. 20
AS OF 1500 GMT, MAY 13
REF: MOSCOW 7980
SHCHERBINA BRIEFING
amt
2. ON MAY 13, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BORIS
SHCHERBINA, TOGETHER WITH A. M. PETROSYANTS
mather
(CHAIRMAN, STATE COMMITTEE FOR THE UTILIZATION
OF ATOMIC ENERGY), 'URIY S. SEDUNOV (DEPUTY
CHAIRMAN, GOSKOMGIDROMET), YEVGENIY I. VOROB'YEV
(DEPUTY MINISTER, MINISTRY OF HEALTH) AND
AMBASSADOR VLADIMIR PETROVSKIY (MF A) HELD A
BRIEFING FOR INVITED CHIEFS OF MISSION (PRIMARILY
EC COUNTRIES PLUS CANADA AND THE U.S.) TO DISCUSS
DECLASSIFIED
THE CHERNOBYL' ACCIDENT. FOLLOWING ARE THE
HIGHL IGHTS:
NLRR F06-114/8#10476
-- AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED AT 1:23 A.M. ON APRIL 26
CAUSED BY "A REACTION BETWEEN ZIRCONIUM AND
WATER" (PRESUMABLY PRODUCING HYDROGEN).
BY LOJ NARA DATE 9/30/08
CONFIDENTIAL
43
CONF IDENTIAL
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SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 8045
DTG: 131459Z MAY 86 PSN: 037642
E0B768
AN007881
TOR: 133/15442
CSN: HCE 847
THE EC AMBASSADORS, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE
BRIEFING HELPED. END COMMENT.
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 KRAM-01 SOMM-01 RODM-01 LENC-01
MAT-01 /007 A2
DEBRIEF OF REUTERS' CORRESPONDENT VISIT TO KIEV
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
4. AS WE REPORTED EARLIER, REUTERS' BUREAU
SIT: SIT MCD PEAR MATL RODM MART
CHIEF CHARLES BREMNER WAS A MEMBER OF THE PRESS
EOB:
POOL THAT VISITED KIEV MAY 8 AND 9. BREMNER
TOLD US THAT THE POOL WAS TAKEN TO KIEV AND TO
AN AGRICULTURAL AREA 50 KM WEST OF THE CITY. HE
SAID LIFE "APPEARED" NORMAL IN THE CITY, PEOPLE
OP IMMED
WERE WALKING ON THE STREETS, AND CHILDREN WERE
UTS1455
PLAYING IN PLAYGROUNDS. PEOPLE WERE OBSERVED
DE RUEHMO #8045/02 1331513
SWIMMING AND FISHING IN THE DNIEPR RIVER.
0 131459Z MAY 86
NEVERTHELESS, SCHOOLS (GRADES 1-7) ARE BEING
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
CLOSED EARLY MAY 15. THE MEDIA ARE ADVISING
PEOPLE TO KEEP CHILDREN INDOORS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE,
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4699
AND TO SEND THEM TO SUMMER CAMP EARLY, PREFERABLY
IN THE SOUTH. PEOPLE ARE ALSO BEING ADVISED THAT
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD IMMEDIATE 7367
DUST IS A MAJOR ENEMY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST
USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4682
CONTAMINATION, AND TOLD NOT TO LET CHILDREN CREATE
AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 8023
DUST BY PLAYING WITH BALLS, FOR EXAMPLE. THEY
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 1590
ARE ALSO BEING ADVISED TO KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED AND
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST IMMEDIATE 1480
TO WASH THEIR HAIR DAILY. THE AUTHORITIES ARE
AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 0325
WASHING THE STREETS FREQUENTLY AND CLAIM TO BE
AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 2421
MONITORING MILK AND WATER SUPPLIES.
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 2839
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 5203
5. BREMNER CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE LARGE CROWDS
AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 1150
OF PEOPLE AT THE KIEV AIRPORT AND TRAIN STATIONS.
AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 2440
MOST PEOPLE INTERVIEWED SAID THEY WERE LEAVING
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE IMMEDIATE 2118
TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE
AMEMBASSY SOFIA IMMEDIATE 1368
CHERNOBYL' ACCIDENT. ON THE CORRESPONDENTS' PLANE
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 3520
BACK TO MOSCOW, BREMNER SAID, BESIDES THE CORRESPONDENTS
AMEMBASSY WARSAW IMMEDIATE 3724
UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
THERE WERE 5 MEN AND 60 WOMEN AND CHILDREN. WHILE
USDOE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
THERE IS NO PANIC IN KIEV, HE REPORTED, THERE IS
"GREAT UNDERLYING CONCERN."
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 02 OF 04 MOSCOW 08045
6. THE REUTERS CHIEF SAID HE HAD INTERVIEWED
FOR S/NP: AMBASSADOR KENNEDY
EVACUEES FROM AN AREA 28 KM AWAY FROM THE REACTOR
SITE. AN ARMY UNIT WAS CHECKING THE PEOPLE WITH
PASS USDA FOR STOLFA/FSIS, FAS, ERS, OICD
GEIGER COUNTERS, AND PERSONS WITH "HIGH LEVELS"
WERE BEING GIVEN BLOOD TESTS. BREMNER WAS TOLD
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
THREE OUT OF 1,000 PERSONS CHECKED HAD BEEN
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, CASC, UR
HOSPITALIZED WITH "HIGH" LEVELS OF RADIATION.
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL' NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: REPORT NO. 20
THE SOVIETS SAID THE RADIATION LEVEL IN KIEV
BT
OF SOVIET FOOD PRODUCTS, PETROSYANTS NOTED THAT
THE USSR WOULD INFORM THE IAEA OF RADIATION LEVELS
THROUGH THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED MONITORING STATIONS
AND THAT THE WESTERN GOVERNMENTS COULD OBTAIN
THE DATA THROUGH THE IAEA. ADDED SHCHERBINA: "THIS
IS SUFFICIENT."
-- SOVIET AUTHORITIES ARE MONITORING RADIATION
LEVELS OF FOOD PRODUCTS SOLD AT LOCAL MOSCOW
MARKETS "AS PER STANDARD PRACTICE."
-- TEMPERATURE IN REACTOR NO. 4 IS 300-400
DEGREES CELSIUS AND ALMOST ALL EMISSIONS HAVE
BEEN STOPPED.
3. COMMENT: JUDGING BY THE COMPOSITION OF
THE INVITEES, THE BRIEFING WAS INTENDED TO
SOFTEN EC CALLS FOR AN EXPANDED BAN ON SOVIET
FOODSTUFFS. CONSIDERING THE CLEARLY UNSATISFYING
ANSWERS GIVEN TO OCCASIONALLY BLUNT QUESTIONS BY
CONF INDENTIAL
40
CONF IDENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 8045
DTG:131459Z MAY 86 PSN:037644
E0B771
AN007880
TOR: 133/1546Z
CSN:HCE848
FROM SEVERAL SOVIET CONTACTS THAT A FEW OFFICIALS
IN CHERNOBYL' HAVE BEEN EXECUTED FOR NOT REPORTING
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 KRAM-01 SOMM-01 RODM-01 LENC-01
THE ACCIDENT TO MOSCOW IMMEDIATELY AND FOR FAILING
MAT-01 /007 A2
TO EVACUATE FOR 36 HOURS. (COMMENT: THERE IS
ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIRMATION OF THIS STORY, BUT IT
SHOWS THE LINE THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE TO BLAME
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
IS TAKING HOLD. END COMMENT.)
SIT: SIT MATL PEAR MCD RODM MART
EOB:
FROM REFUSENIK AND DISSIDENT SOURCES
9. CONVERSATIONS WITH DISSIDENTS AND REFUSENIKS
OP IMMED
IN THE PAST TWO DAYS HAVE INCLUDED THESE
UTS1462
ASSERTIONS:
DE RUEHMO #8045/03 1331514
0 131459Z MAY 86
THE FIRST ONES SENT TO DEAL WITH THE EMERGENCY
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
WERE FIREMEN WEARING THEIR ORDINARY FIRE-FIGHTING
GEAR, WITH NO PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION. (THIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4700
IS FROM SOMEONE WHOSE FRIEND RECENTLY RETURNED
FROM WORKING ON THE CATASTROPHE.)
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD IMMEDIATE 7368
USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4683
PEOPLE EVACUATED FROM THE AREA HAVE FILLED
AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 8024
UP SANATORIA AND PIONEER CAMPS NORMALLY OCCUPIED
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 1591
BY VACATIONERS FROM OTHER REGIONS, THUS DISRUPTING
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST IMMEDIATE 1481
VACATION PLANS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. ASIDE FROM
AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 0326
THIS PROBLEM, MANY ARE RELUCTANT TO VACATION ON
AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 2422
THE BALTIC OR ON THE UKRAINIAN BLACK SEA COAST.
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 2840
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 5204
THE SOVIET PROPAGANDA ABOUT THE CATASTROPHE
AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 1151
IS CLEARLY CYNICAL, REFERRING TO THE WHOLE THING
AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 2441
AS AN "ACCIDENT" AND CONSTANTLY ASSERTING THAT
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE IMMEDIATE 2119
THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL. THE OFFICIAL
AMEMBASSY SOFIA IMMEDIATE 1369
REACTION IS SEEN AS A COMBINATION OF DEVIOUSNESS
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 3521
AND INCOMPETENCE.
AMEMBASSY WARSAW IMMEDIATE 3725
UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
AMONG THE PROPAGANDA THEMES IS BLAME FOR
USDOE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
THE U.S. AND ITS ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO USE THE
"ACCIDENT" TO DISCREDIT THE USSR AND UNDERMINE
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 03 OF 04 MOSCOW 08045
ARMS CONTROL TALKS. AMONG AVERAGE WORKERS,
THOSE WHO EVEN THINK ABOUT THE CHERNOBYL' DISASTER
READ SUCH PROPAGANDA AND (ALTHOUGH THE SOVIET
FOR S/NP: AMBASSADOR KENNEDY
PRESS DOES NOT EXPLICITLY SAY SO) CONCLUDE
THAT THE U.S. IS SOMEHOW RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
PASS USDA FOR STOLFA/FSIS, FAS, ERS, OICD
THERE ARE ALSO RUMORS THAT "ZIONISTS" (CODE WORD
FOR JEWS) ARE RESPONSIBLE, PERHAPS IN PART BECAUSE
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
BT
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, CASC, UR
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: REPORT NO. 20
ON MAY 9 WAS 0.2 MILLI-ROENTGENS/HOUR, WHILE
THE SURROUNDING AGRICULTURAL AREA MEASURED
0.16 MILLI-ROENTGENS/HOUR.
OFFICIAL NUMBER OF EVACUEES RISES
7. KRASNAYA ZVEZDA (RED STAR), THE SOVIET ARMY
NEWSPAPER, REPORTED MAY 13 THAT SOME 92,000
PEOPLE HAD BEEN EVACUATED FROM THE AREA AROUND
THE DISASTER. THIS IS AN INCREASE OVER UKRAINIAN
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS PRESIDIUM CHAIRMAN LYASHKO'S
EARLIER ESTIMATE OF 84,000.
RUMORS OF EXECUTIONS
8. THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT HAS INCREASINGLY TAKEN
THE LINE THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS DID NOT ADEQUATELY
ASSESS THE PROBLEM IN CHERNOBYL' AND FAILED TO
ALERT CENTRAL AUTHORITIES IN MOSCOW. THIS MAY HAVE
GIVEN RISE TO THE RUMOR ONE EMBOFF HAS PICKED UP
CONF IDENTIAL
45
CONF TDENT IAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRETARIAT
PAGE 01
MOSCOW 8045
DTG: 131459Z MAY 86 PSN: 037645
EOB772
AN007879
TOR: 133/1547Z
CSN: HCE849
DISTRIBUTION: MAN-01 DOBR-01 KRAM-01 SOMM-01 RODM-01 LENC-01
MAT-01 /007 A2
WHTS ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION:
SIT: SIT MCD PEAR MATL RODM MART
EOB:
OP IMMED
UTS1463
DE RUEHMO #8045/04 1331515
O 131459Z MAY 86
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4701
INFO AMCONSUL LENINGRAD IMMEDIATE 7369
USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4684
AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 8025
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 1592
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST IMMEDIATE 1482
AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 0327
AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 2423
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 2841
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 5205
AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 1152
AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 2442
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE IMMEDIATE 2120
AMEMBASSY SOFIA IMMEDIATE 1370
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 3522
AMEMBASSY WARSAW IMMEDIATE 3726
UNVIE MISSION VIENNA IMMEDIATE
USDOE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
CONFI DENTIAL SECTION 04 OF 04 MOSCOW 08045
FOR S/NP: AMBASSADOR KENNEDY
PASS USDA FOR STOLFA/FSIS, FAS, ERS, OICD
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: KSCA, TRGY, SENV, CASC, UR
SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL' NUCLEAR ACCIDENT: REPORT NO. 20
OF THE COMMON BELIEF THAT MOST SCIENTISTS ARE
JEWS.
COMBS
BT
CONF IDENT IAL
46
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR VADM JOHN M. POINDEXTER
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: Proposed Q's and A's on Gorbachev's Chernobyl Speech
Proposed Questions and Answers on Gorbachev's speech on the
Chernobyl nuclear accident are attached for use by the White
House Press Office.
Nicholas Platt
Executive Secretary
CONF I DENTIAL
DECL : OADR
DECLASSIFIED
Bepartment By Cas of State Guidelines, July 21, 1997
NARA, Date 7/29/02
47
Drafted: EUR/SOV - MNRobinson / JBean
647-3456
Doc. 1660B
5/14/86
Cleared: EUR/SOV - MRParris
EUR
- MPalmer
OES
- JDevine
S/NP
- RKennedy
IO
- LGallini
L
- RBettaur
EUR/RPM -
48
Q: What is the President's response to Gorbachev's offer to
meet him in Europe or Hiroshima to discuss a moratorium on
testing?
A:
-- THE PRESIDENT HAS INVITED GENERAL SECRETARY GORBACHEV
TO MEET IN THE UNITED STATES THIS YEAR TO DISCUSS THE
FULL RANGE OF US - SOVIET ISSUES, INCLUDING ARMS
CONTROL. WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR HIS RESPONSE TO OUR
INVITATION. OUR VIEWS ON THE SOVIET PROPOSAL NUCLEAR
TEST MORATORIUM ARE WELL KNOWN. WE HAVE MAKE A NUMBER
OF PROPOSALS WHICH COULD LEAD TO PROGRESS IN THE AREA
OF NUCLEAR TESTING AND THESE STAND.
49
Q: Do you have any comment on Gorbachev singling out NATO
countries and West Germany in particular for criticism on
their responses to Chernobyl?
A:
--
WE REGRET THAT THE SOVIET UNION IS RESPONDING TO
CRITICISM OF ITS HANDLING OF THE NUCLEAR ACCIDENT BY
ATTACKING THOSE WHO URGED THEM TO PROVIDE TIMELY
INFORMATION.
--
HAD THE SOVIETS INFORMED THE WORLD OF THE ACCIDENT AND
PROVIDED IN A TIMELY MANNER THE DETAILED INFORMATION
GOVERNMENTS REQUESTED, OTHERS WOULD NOT BE LEFT TO
DRAW THEIR OWN BEST CONCLUSIONS BASED ON THE
INCOMPLETE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THEM.
so
Q: DO you support Gorbachev's call for increased funding for
IAEA?
A:
--
THE UNITED STATES HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED IAEA AND
ADVOCATED STRENGTHENING ITS ROLE.
--
YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT THE JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED AT
THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING IN GENEVA LAST YEAR
BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE SOVIET GENERAL SECRETARY
SPECIFICALLY ADVOCATED THE STRENGTHENING OF IAEA'S
ROLE IN PROMOTING THE PEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY.
Q: What is your response to Gorbachev's IAEA proposals?
A:
-- WE HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF THE PROPOSALS BY GENERAL
SECRETARY GORBACHEV TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION THROUGH
THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY IN DEALING WITH
SIMILAR SITUATIONS IN THE FUTURE.
-- HIS PROPOSALS -- ESPECIALLY THOSE CALLING FOR QUICK
REPORTING OF NUCLEAR INCIDENTS AND PROVISION OF MUTUAL
AID IN NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS -- APPEAR TO RESEMBLE CLOSELY
PROPOSALS MADE AT THE TOKYO SUMMIT EARLIER THIS MONTH.
-- THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL STUDY THESE
PROPOSALS WITH CARE AND IN A POSITIVE SPIRIT.
52
Q: Do you support Gorbachev's call for cooperation among
specialized agencies like WHO in future incidents?
A:
--
THE NUCLEAR ACCIDENT AT CHERNOBYL HAS GRAPHICALLY
ILLUSTRATED THE SHORT AND LONG TERM INTERNATIONAL
IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH INCIDENTS.
--
THE TRANSBOUNDARY SPREAD OF RADIATION AND CONCERN FOR
ITS EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS' HEALTH AND FOOD SUPPLIES
UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY AND
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
53
Q: Do you believe Soviet statements that 2 died in the initial
explosion and that 7 of 299 hospitalized have also died?
A:
--
WE HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THE SPECIFIC NUMBER OF
CASUALTIES OTHER THAN THAT PROVIDED BY THE SOVIETS.
54
Q: DO you accept the Soviet version of what happened at the
plant?
A:
-- THE GENERAL SECRETARY'S DESCRIPTION OF WHAT OCCURRED
APPEARS TO BE ROUGHLY CONSISTENT WITH OUR
UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACCIDENT. WE CANNOT BE CERTAIN
OF THE DETAILS OF WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURRED AT THE PLANT
UNTIL THE SOVIETS PROVIDE A FINAL ACCOUNT.
55
Q: DO you concur with Mr. Gorbachev's assertion that Soviet
handling of the incident minimized its consequences?
A:
--
WE ARE HAMPERED IN DRAWING CONCLUSIONS BY OUR STILL
INCOMPLETE ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT.
--
THE SOVIETS HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEIR HIGHER
AUTHORITIES WERE NOT FULLY APPRISED OF THE SERIOUSNESS
OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL TWO DAYS AFTER IT OCCURRED.
ALSO, BY THEIR OWN ACCOUNT, EVACUATIONS DID NOT BEGIN
UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 36 HOURS AFTER THE BLAST, AND THE
TOWN OF CHERNOBYL WAS NOT EVACUATED UNTIL 10 OR 11
DAYS LATER.
--
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THEY DID NOT INFORM THEIR
NEIGHBORS OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL SWEDEN AND FINLAND
RECORDED UNUSUALLY HIGH RADIATION READINGS.
56
Q: DO you agree with Mr. Gorbachev's claim that the worst is
behind us?
A:
--
THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TENDS TO CONFIRM THAT
EMISSIONS OF RADIATION FROM THE DAMAGED REACTOR HAVE
DIMINISHED SINCE THE EXPLOSION.
--
HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE LONG TERM
EFFECTS OF THE RADIATION RELEASED ON PEOPLE,
AGRICULTURAL AND DAIRY PRODUCTS, AND THE SOIL ITSELF.
57
::
What are the long-term economic implications of the
accident for the Soviet Union?
A:
--
AS MR. GORBACHEV SAID, HANDLING THE CONSEQUENCES OF
THE ACCIDENT WILL REQUIRE THE COMMITMENT OF LARGE
AMOUNTS OF RESOURCES AND TIME. ALMOST CERTAINLY MOST,
IF NOT ALL, OF THESE MUST BE DIVERTED FROM OTHER USES.
Q: What is your reaction to Mr. Gorbachev's charge that
Western governments and media, especially in the United
States, is seeking to take advantage of the incident to
instigate an anti-Soviet campaign?
A:
-- WE ARE NOT SURPRISED THAT THE SOVIET UNION IS
RESPONDING TO CRITICISM OF ITS HANDLING OF THE
ACCIDENT BY ATTACKING ITS CRITICS. THIS IS CONISTENT
WITH BEHAVIOR THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXHIBITED WHEN
CRITICIZED FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH COMMONLY
ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF HUMAN DECENCY AND INTERNATIONAL
OBLIGATIONS.
--
ON LEARNING OF THE ACCIDENT, THE FIRST RESPONSE OF THE
UNITED STATES WAS TO EXPRESS SINCERE REGRET AND TO
OFFER ALL AVAILABLE HUMANITARIAN AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE -- AN OFFER WE HAVE REPEATED MANY TIMES
SINCE.
:
HAD THE SOVIETS INFORMED THE WORLD OF THE ACCIDENT AND
PROVIDED IN A TIMELY MANNER THE DETAILED INFORMATION
OTHER GOVERNMENTS REQUESTED, OTHERS WOULD NOT BE LEFT
TO DRAW THEIR OWN BEST CONCLUSIONS BASED ON THE
INCOMPLETE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THEM.
--
IN THE ABSENCE OF FACTS, COUNTRIES ARE JUSTIFIED IN Jim Bear
ASSUMING THE WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO IN ORDER TO calliod
anked to
CONSIDER FULLY AN INCIDENT'S IMPLICATIONS FOR THE
delete 5/14
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE.
sh
Q: How do you respond to Mr. Gorbachev's charge that the
United States was slow to reveal the details of what
happened during the Three Mile Island Crisis?
A:
--
SOVIET STATEMENTS MADE RECENTLY WITH RESPECT TO OUR
MAKING PUBLIC DETAILS ON THREE MILE ISLAND SUGGEST
THAT THE SOVIETS ARE SEVERELY MISINFORMED ABOUT HOW
THE UNITED STATES HANDLED THAT INCIDENT.
--
INFORMATION WAS MADE PUBLIC ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ONCE
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE INCIDENT WAS RECOGNIZED.
--
PLANT OPERATORS RECOGNIZED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE
PROBLEM THREE HOURS AFTER THE EVENTS WHICH CAUSED
IT OCCURRED AND THEY NOTIFIED STATE AND US
GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THAT
REALIZATION
-- THE NRC BEGAN HANDLING PRESS INQUIRIES 2 HOURS
LATER, AND THAT SAME DAY ISSUED TWO DETAILED
PRESS RELEASES INCLUDING RADIATION READINGS AND
EMERGENCY ACTIONS TAKEN
-- CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES WERE NOTIFIED
THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND FULLY BRIEFED THE
FOLLOWING DAY
-- THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT THE UNITED STATES
NOTIFIED IAEA, NEA, OECD AND 22 FOREIGN COUNTRIES
OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THE ACCIDENT, RADIATION
RELEASED, MALFUNCTIONS, AND OPERATIONAL ACTIONS
TAKEN.
60
-- MORE COUNTRIES WERE NOTIFIED WITHIN 2 DAYS AND
UPDATES WERE SENT ALMOST DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS
FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.
:
A SENIOR IAEA OFFICIAL - MORRIS ROSEN, WHO
RECENTLY ACCOMPANIED HANS BLIX TO MOSCOW -
VISITED THE SITE WITHIN 4 DAYS OF THE INCIDENT.
-- THE NRC ARRANGED SITE VISITS AND BRIEFINGS FOR
FOREIGN NUCLEAR SAFETY OFFICIALS THE FIRST WEEK
AFTER THE INCIDENT.
--
EXTENSIVE FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO
INTERESTED COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE
MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT IN ORDER TO LEARN FORM
THE EVENT AND TO IMPROVE NUCLEAR SAFETY.
Q: Gorbachev said that the Tokyo summit dwelt on secondary
issues such as terrorism and Chernobyl but had nothing to
say on arms control. Is that true?
A: -- It is wrong. The Tokyo Declaration, "Looking Forward
to a Better Future," issued by Western leaders at the
conclusion of their meeting, testifies to their broad,
balanced concerns at the summit.
--
The Declaration emphasizes the desire of the leaders
to "strengthen peace," "build
...
a more stable and
constructive relationship between East and West," to
"protect freedom and deter aggression, while not
threatening the security of others,' "to address
...
East-West differences through high-level dialogue and
negotiation,' and to "support ... balanced,
substantial and verifiable reductions in the level of
arms; measures to increase confidence and reduce the
risks of conflicts; and the peaceful resolution of
disputes. "
--
In Tokyo, Western leaders underscored the particular
importance they ascribe to progress on arms-control:
"Recalling the agreement between the United States and
the Soviet Union to accelerate work at Geneva, we
appreciate the United States' negotiating efforts and
call on the Soviet Union also to negotiate positively."
--
They welcomed and encouraged the IAEA's work to
improve international cooperation on safety,
handling of nuclear accidents and their
consequences, and provision of emergency
assistance.
--
They also urged early elaboration of an
international convention committing the parties
to report and exchange information in the event
of nuclear emergencies or accidents."
63
Q: What are your comments on General Secretary Gorbachev's
announced plan to continue the Soviet moratorium on nuclear
testing?
A:
--
THE DECISION TO CONTINUE A MORATORIUM OR TO RESUME
NUCLEAR TESTING RESTS SOLELY WITH THE SOVIET UNION.
-- THE U.S. POSITION ON A NUCLEAR TEST MORATORIUM IS
UNCHANGED.
64
Q. What do you think of General Secretary Gorbachev's renewed
offer to meet with the President on the subject of a
nuclear-testing moratorium?
A:
-- AS WE SAID WHEN GORBACHEV FIRST SUGGESTED THIS
MEETING, THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL SECRETARY GORBACHEV
AGREED AT GENEVA "TO MEET AGAIN IN THE NEAREST
FUTURE," AND THE GENERAL SECRETARY ACCEPTED THE
PRESDIENT'S INVITATION TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES IN
1986. IN DECEMBER, THE PRESIDENT INDICATED TO THE
GENERAL SECRETARY WHICH DATES WOULD BE MOST
CONVENTIENT FOR THIS MEETING. NO REPLY HAS YET BEEN
RECEIVED REGARDING THIS SUGGESTION.
-- IN OUR VIEW, MEETINGS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL SHOULD DEAL
WITH THE ENTIRE RANGE OF IMPORTANT ISSUES BETWEEN OUR
TWO COUNTRIES. NUCLEAR TESTING IS ONE OF THEM -- BUT
ONLY ONE, AND IT IS AN ISSUE WHICH IS DIRECTLY RELATED
TO OTHERS, SUCH AS THE NEED TO REDUCE THE LEVELS OF
EXISTING NUCLEAR ARMS AND TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE
VERIFICATION PROCEDURES.
-- IF THE SOVIETS DESIRE TO MAKE SERIOUS PROGRESS ON THE
QUESTION OF NUCLEAR TESTING LIMITATION, THEY SHOULD
ACCEPT THE PRESIDENT'S LONGSTANDING PROPOSAL THAT WE
HAVE OUR EXPERTS MEET, AND SHOULD RESPOND POSITIVELY
TO THE PRESIDENT'S MOST RECENT OFFER ON TESTING
VERIFICIATION.
65
Drafted: EUR/SOV: JHamilton
5/14/86 x77243 (0933M)
Cleared: Drawn from previous guidance
66
Q: In his speech on May 14, Gorbachev alleged that the West
has sought to wring propaganda out of the Chernobyl reactor
disaster in order to smear the Soviet Union. Your comment?
A:
--
This allegation completely misrepresents the
situation. Western leaders all expressed their
condolences for the Soviet accident.
--
They also urged the Soviets to provide information on
the release of radiation to the countries affected.
--
The concern of the leaders was reflected in the Tokyo
statement on the Implications of the Chernobyl Nuclear
Accident:
--
The summit leaders expressed "deep sympathy for
those affected" and said they "remain ready to
extend assistance, in particular medical and
technical, as and when requested.
"
--
They pointed out that "each country is
responsible for prompt provision of detailed and
complete information on nuclear emergencies and
accidents, in particular those with potential
transboundary consequences. Each of our
countries accepts that responsibility, and we
67
urge the Soviet Union, which did not do so in the case of
Chernobyl, to provide urgently such information, as our and
other countries have requested. =
--
The leaders "noted with satisfaction the Soviet
Union's willingness to undertake
discussions with the Director-General of the
International Atomic Energy Agency. . "