Construction Work on Israel’s New Atomic Reactor is Kept No Secret

Washington reports that Israel “deceived” the United States Government by stating that the second atomic reactor, now under construction in this area, was a textile factory, were received here today with amazement and ridicule.

The building work on the reactor was not kept secret from anybody. Everyone could see the huge construction on the road south of Beersheba. Each morning loaded busses left Beersheba in the direction of the reactor project. They carried construction workers of all types who were engaged in the building of the reactor and many surrounding structures, including offices, dwellings and even a hotel for visitors, since it was expected that students of nuclear energy and scientists would visit the reactor after it is completed.

Although the whole area is to become practically an “atomic city,” no special security measures have been taken. This was evident in the fact the most French scientists and engineers working at the reactor site were using French number plates on their automobiles. There is actually a French colony in Beersheba and its members go wherever they wish.

The allegation that United States officials were told that a textile factory was being built probably emanated from the fact that not far from the site of the reactor project, there is a new large factory under construction. Apparently some persons pointed to the textile factory building and asked what it was and were given the correct reply that “this is a textile plant,” it was explained here today.

PRESENCE OF FRENCH SPECIALISTS WIDELY KNOWN IN BEERSHEBA

It is a common occurrence for a bus driver to enter a major Beersheba restaurant and ask for directions to the site of the second reactor plant. It was also no secret that a group of French technicians and scientists came to Israel more than two years ago and moved into a block of modern buildings, even establishing a special French school for their children.

The reason for the presence of the French specialists soon became widely known. The site of the offices of the second reactor project is also well known as are the names of its director and top personnel. The only thing that is not known, it was indicated, was why Americans only now suddenly “discovered” the entire matter.

Emphasizing that the building of the second reactor was not kept secret, Israeli sources here said the reason that no Government had knowledge of it until December 9 was that “no Government had asked about it.” It was stressed that not until December 9 did U.S. Secretary of State Herter ask Avraham Harman, the Israel Ambassador in Washington, about the reactor.

Meanwhile, work was continuing today on the project and preparation for roofing the huge pool-like constructions were nearing completion. The reactor apparently will use natural and not enriched uranium as in the first pilot plant south of Tel Aviv. It was assumed there that the decision to use natural uranium was reached because Israel has developed inexpensive methods of producing the heavy water needed to tame chain nuclear reactions.