TNAG-1497-FCO40-2055-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 258

CONFIDENTIAL

33759 - 1

8.

OUR EXPERTS ARE CONCERNED THAT THE SITUATION IN KIEVE,

AND POSSIBLY ALSO IN MINSK COULD DETERIORATE SUFFICIENTLY TO

REQUIRE EVACUATION. BUT AGAIN WE ARE HAMPERED BY THE LACK OF

ANY CONCRETE INFORMATION. PLEASE STRESS TO SOVIET AUTHORITIES

THAT IF THIS IS NOT IMMEDIATELY FORTHCOMING, WE MAY CONSIDER IT

NECESSARY TO ADVISE THEIR WITHDRAWAL. YOU SHOULD ALSO DISCUSS

WITH WESTERN COLLEAGUES CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR A JOINT

OPERATION IN SUCH AN EVENTUALITY.

9.

WE FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR FURTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE

SITUATION IN MOSCOW (YOUR TELNO 494). WITHOUT FURTHER

INFORMATION, EG ON WIND MOVEMENTS, EXPERTS CANNOT GIVE AN

INFORMED OPINION. HOWEVER, THEY ESTIMATE THAT WHATEVER

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 RUSSIANS GIVE US THE NECESSARY INFORMATION. WHERE WE

HAVE HAD TO REACT, AS OVER VISITS TO THE SOVIET UNION AND OVER

POSSIBLE EVACUATION WE CONSIDER WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO

ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION. WE ARE URGENTLY PURSUING THE

QUESTION OF PROVIDING MONITORING EQUIPMENT, AND HOPE TO PUT THIS

IN TOMORROW'S BAG.

12.

THE ABOVE HAS BEEN DRAFTED IN FULL CONSULTATION WITH

WHITEHALL TECHNICAL EXPERTS.

ENDS

5

CONFIDENTIAL