National Security Policy

Arms Control/Disarmament

Foreign Relations, , Vol VII 1961-1963

At an April 18, 1962, National Security Council (NSC) meeting, Kennedy approved an atmospheric test series, held in the Pacific Ocean area from April 25 to November 3, 1962. Kennedy was sensitive to world reactions to the tests and wanted them completed as quickly as possible. At the NSC meeting he asked for a short lead time between announcement and actual testing to minimize publicity. The President also inquired about the possibility of a photographer taking a picture of the mushroom cloud. A meeting memorandum noted that "everyone but the President seemed to feel that radiation in milk was no real problem." (176)