HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND APO AE 09128 EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE 19 July 1995 NUMBER 15-5 PUBLIC AFFAIRS Nuclear Accident and Incident Public Affairs Guidance ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary. This directive establishes policies and procedures governing prompt release of information to the public, in the interest of public safety and to prevent public alarm, in the event of accidents or significant incidents involving nuclear weapons, radioactive nuclear weapon components, radioactive material, or nuclear capable systems within USCINCEUR geographic area of responsibility. 2. Applicability. This Directive serves as a public affairs planning document for Military Assistance Advisory Groups, USCINCEUR contact officers, and may be used by diplomatic missions and host countries in the event of a nuclear accident or incident. The provisions of this Directive apply except where specific bilateral agreements exist. 3. Internal Control Systems. This Directive contains internal control provisions and is subject to the requirements of the internal management control program. For HQ USEUCOM and subordinate joint activities, the applicable internal control directive is ED 50-8, Internal Management Control Program. 4. Suggested Improvement. Forward suggested improvements to HQ USEUCOM, ECPA-PPD, Unit 30400, Box 1000, APO AE 09128. 5. References. a. DOD Directive 5230.16, Nuclear Accident and Incident Public Affairs Guidance. b. DOD Instruction 7730.12, Notification Procedures for Accidents and Significant Incidents involving Nuclear Weapons, Reactors, and Radioactive Materials. c. USEUCOM Directive 15-1, Public Affairs Policies and Procedures. d. USEUCOM Directive 60-10, Nuclear Surety Management. e. USCINCEUR CONPLAN 4367, Response to Nuclear Weapon Accident/Incidents within the Theater. 6. Responsibilities. a. Each USEUCOM Component Commander in Chief responsible for storage or transportation of nuclear weapons will ensure comprehensive Nuclear Accident Information Plans are developed for subordinate units and reviewed at least annually for adequacy. (1) Prepare Nuclear Accident Information Plans in accordance with policies established in this Directive, ED 15-1, ED 60-10, USCINCEUR CONPLAN 4367, and appropriate military department directives. (2) NAIPs will include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) Appropriate procedures for expeditiously informing higher headquarters of a nuclear accident/incident. (b) The requirement subordinate commanders responsible for storing or transporting a nuclear device be cognizant of their public affairs responsibilities in the event of a nuclear accident/incident. (c) A provision to immediately dispatch a public affairs officer to the scene of a nuclear accident/ incident to assume or assist with the public affairs responsibility for the component and USCINCEUR. (d) Requirement for inspection, at least annually, to ensure NAIP is adequate and conforms to all applicable directives regulations. b. Chiefs of MAAGs and USCCOs will: (1) Provide copies of this Directive to the Chief, U.S. Mission. (2) Have contingency statements available in host nation language. (3) Brief members of the U.S. Mission on the provisions of this Directive and other applicable guidance at least annually. c. Restrictions. (1) USCCOs will clear all contingency announcements and methods of release with the Chief of U.S. Mission. (2) All queries or requests by media representatives for information beyond the scope of officially released contingency announcements or subsequent coordinated releases will be in coordination with the U.S. Mission and host nation. Coordinate through the Joint Information Bureau (JIB), when it is established. (3) Refer requests for information concerning civilian casualties, affect on civilian activities, and extent of damage to civilian property to local authorities. (4) The release of names and addresses of military personnel killed or injured will be governed by service directives of the Military Department concerned. (5) Personnel having knowledge of an accident or incident involving nuclear weapons, radioactive nuclear weapon component, or politically sensitive weapon systems will make no statement to confirm or deny it and will refer without comment all queries to HQ USEUCOM/ECPA or the designated public affairs representative. 7. Policy and Procedures. a. Normally, the presence of either nuclear weapons or radioactive nuclear weapon components will be neither confirmed or denied. As an exception, confirmation or denial of the presence of such weapons/materials may be made when it will have significant value in conjunction with public safety or as a means of reducing or preventing widespread public alarm. b. Should a mishap occur which requires an announcement confirming or denying the presence of either a nuclear weapon or radioactive nuclear weapon component, the following apply: (1) Such announcement is made by USCINCEUR, or his designee, with concurrence of the host government through the appropriate Chief of U.S. Mission. The OSD(PA) will be advised in advance by Director of Public Affairs, U.S. European Command, if practical, if announcement is necessary. Simultaneous release of an initial announcement will be made in Washington, the capital of the host nation involved, and by USCINCEUR. As soon as it is established, the JIB will be the release agency for subsequent public releases. (2) Continuous consultation and coordination by USCINCEUR or his designated representative on public affairs matters will be conducted with the Chief of U.S. Mission to the country where the accident/incident has occurred. (3) Inform civil authorities through the chief of the appropriate U.S. Mission when international agreements require this information. (4) If a nuclear accident or incident occurs in a country that requires public announcement either for public safety or to ease public alarm where public affairs coordination procedures have not been established, USCINCEUR, or his designee, will coordinate the announcement with the host government through the appropriate Chief of U.S. Mission. (5) Release of any information beyond contingency releases will be made only with the approval of USCINCEUR, or his designated representative, and the host government through the appropriate Chief of U.S. Mission. (6) Initial operational reports required in DOD Instruction 7730.12 must be completed and confirmation obtained the National Military Command Center has the reports prior to any public announcement concerning a nuclear accident of incident. (7) A JIB will be established in the vicinity of the accident/incident site where nuclear weapons or radioactive components are involved. Key participants in JIB operations are the on scene commander, USEUCOM PAO representative, public affairs representatives from the American Embassy involved and host nation. FOR THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF: OFFICIAL: RICHARD F. KELLER Lieutenant General, USA Chief of Staff SUSAN M. MEYERS LTC, USA Adjutant General DISTRIBUTION: P+ HQ USEUCOM ECPA - (25) HQ USAREUR PA - (5) HQ USNAVEUR PAO - (5) HQ USAFE - (5) SHAPE PAO - (4) US MISSION NATO PAO - (4) AFSOUTH PID - (5) 3RD AF PAO - (1) AMEMB BRUSSELS/USIS - (1) AMEMB BONN/USIS - (4) AMEMB ATHENS/USIS- (2) AMEMB ROME/USIS - (2) AMEMB THE HAGUE/USIS - (1) AMEMB OSLO/USIS - (1) DISTRIBUTION: (CONTD) AMEMB LISBON/USIS - (1) AMEMB MADRID/USIS - (1) AMEMB ANKARA/USIS - (1) AMEMB LONDON/USIS - (1) ________________________________________________________ This Directive supersedes ED 15-5, dated 12 June 1987. ________________________________________________________ This Directive supersedes ED 15-5, dated 12 June 1987. ED 15-5 ED 15-5