Early security clearance procedures h a v e not been without their shortcomings, but open discussions, such as t h e symposium published here a n d first presented at the ACS national meeting this past f a l l , a r e providing a solid basis on which t o build more w o r k a b l e a n d acceptable procedures
Viewpoint of the AEC CARROLL L. WILSON, General
Manager,
U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, O. C
O p e r a t i n g under the rules laid down by the Atomic Energy Act, the Atomic Energy Commission feels it is doing its best to assure fair treatment to all JL ASSUME t h a t t h e title of this symposium, "Security Clearance a n d t h e Scientist."* was chosen because this is a scientific b o d y a n d m a n y scientists, including m a n y chemists h a v e been, are, a n d will con tinue to b e engaged in work of i m p o r t a n c e to t h e national defense. Therefore, "security clearance" is currently a p p l i c a b l e to t h e m . I further assume t h a t t h e scientist is first of all a citizen a n d if in principle certain m e a s u r e s should be a d o p t e d b y the G o v e r n m e n t in relation to its citizens e n g a g e d in secret or con fidential work, all categories of persons involved in such work should b e t r e a t e d alike. I t seems t o m e i m p o r t a n t t o s t a t e it at t h e outset that it w o u l d b e u n f o r t u n a t e to r e g a r d scientists as a class a p a r t from other citizens a n d t h e r e f o r e r e q u i r i n g special exceptions or u n u s u a l t r e a t m e n t in s u c h m a t t e r s . I shall discuss only t h e problems of personnel security c l e a r a n c e in c o n n e c tion with t h e a t o m i c energy programT h e r e a r e m a n y other security problems in volved in this project b u t n o n e is m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n that r e l a t i n g to personnel security clearance. E v e n for this p a r t it is possible only t o review r a t h e r generally t h e steps taken, the progress m a d e , a n d t h e p r o b l e m s which r e m a i n before us. Before reviewing t h e framework of policy a n d law w h i c h establishes t h e basic instructions to t h e Atomic E n e r g y Commission in r e g a r d to this subject, I should say t h a t there is o n e aspect of this p r o b l e m which is p e r h a p s of g r e a t e r concern to scientists t h a n to certain other groups. It is t h e m a r k of a c o m p e t e n t scientist t h a t h e q u e s t i o n s established authorities. As a creative individual t h e scientist m u s t b e a pioneer a n d p r o b e
VOLUME
28,
Ν Ο.. 9 6
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