Department of State, Office of Public Affairs, Information Memorandum Number 61, Soviet Atomic Explosion
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OCR Page 1 of 6DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D)
STATE LTR 271-1873
By NLT-HK NARS Date 2-20-03
September 23, 1949
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM NO. 61
While this memorandum itself is not for
release, officers participating in public
liaison through speeches or background
talks may find this material useful in
answering questions.
SOVIET ATOMIC EXPLOSION
In connection with the announcement that there had
as TRUNAN AND A
recently been an atomic explosion in the Soviet Union, the
following are answors to some questions that may be raised
SLAVICE B
1. Does this mean that the Russians have the bomb? lie
Es GOVE
know there was an atomic explosion. That is all we can say
o
20 How do we know that there was an atomic exolosion? It
would not be compatible with national security to give further
information on this subjecto
3. Do you know where and when it took place, and whether
on the ground or water? Ve have a pretty good idea.
4. Is this the first atomic explosion in Russia? So far as
we know.
5. Does our information indicate that the Russiana may have
a number of bombs? No.
6. Is there any way of telling how far advanced Russian
technology is in this field as compared with our own? It
would not be compatible with national security to give any
information on this subjéct at this time.
7. pid the Russians steal the atomic secrets or did they
work them out? There is no to believe that this
development is the result of anything that was stolen or
copied from us. Nearly four years ago the President pointed
out that "Scientific opinion appears to be practically
unanimous that the essential theoretical knowledge upon which
the
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