CONFIDENTIAL
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33467
1
9.
WE FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR FURTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE
SITUATION IN MOSCOW (YOUR TELNO 494). WITHOUT FURTHEP INFORMATION, EG ON WIND MOVEMENTS, EXPERTS CANNOT GIVE AN
THAT WHATEVER INFORMED OPINION. HOWEVER, THEY ESTIMATE HAPPENS TO THE WEATHER THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO INDIVIDUALS IN MOSCOW OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. WE SHALL GIVE
TOP PRIORITY TO PROVIDING FURTHER ADVICE AS SOON AS MORE
INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
10.
WE ARE SEEKING CLEARANCE FROM MINISTERS TO ISSUE THE FOLLOWING GUIDANCE: ''IN THE ABSENCE OF DETAILED INFORMATION ON
THE NATURE OF THE NUCLEAR ACCIDENT IN THE SOVIET UNION WE ARE
ADVISING BRITISH CITIZENS THAT THEY SHOULD ONLY TRAVEL TO THE
WESTERN SOVIET UNION IF IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.''
11.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR URGENT NEED FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE. WE CANNOT PROVIDE THIS ADEQUATELY UNLESS AND UNTIL THE PUSSIANS GIVE US THE NECESSARY INFORMATION. WHERE WE HAVE HAD TO PEACT, AS OVER VISITS TO THE SOVIET UNION AND OVER POSSIBLE EVACUATION WE CONSIDER WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO ERP ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION. WE APE URGENTLY PURSUING THE QUESTION OF PROVIDING MONITORING EQUIPMENT, AND HOPE TO PUT THIS
IN TOMORROW'S BAG.
THE ABOVE HAS BEEN DRAFTED IN FULL CONSULTATION WITH
WHITEHALL TECHNICAL EXPERTS.
12.
HOWE
SOVIET NUCLEAR ACCIDENT
LIMITED
NED
SOVIET DEPT
WED
EED
MAED
CONSULAR DEPT
NEWS DEPT
PS
PS/MR RENTON
PS/PUS
MR DEREK THOMAS
MR GOODALL
MR DAUNT MR RATFORD
COPIES TO:
M RICKMAN
CABINET OFFICE
B PONSFORD DOE, ROMNEY HOUSE F FEATES
11
#1
AE DIV.
#t
#1
D MORPHET DEPT OF ENERGY, B HAMPTON
11
M HARRIS, DHSS, HEALTH SERVICES DIV,
HANNIBAL HOUSE.
91
**
#
#1
#1
E RYDER HSE N11, THAMES HOUSE SOUTH J MACLEOD S SEYMOUR OT3/5C,
R HATHAMAY,
D LEVEY,
N BURTON,
MAFF UKAEA
DTI, 1 VIC. ST.
BRITISH COUNCIL
CONFIDENTIAL