Document peNvgDmMZ7E3mdDXNn7g0RbQw

CAMBRIDGE TO: R. C. Walsh FROM: DATE: cc: 0. M. Favorito J. VV. Wolter R. C. Niles V. Bakeman/N.Y. VV. McCaig/Libby SUBJECT : ^Public Citizen Inquiry On 16 August 1985 at about !!:3Q AM, I received a telephone call from Peter Ajemian of the Public Citizen Research Group. Since I was in a meeting at that time, I had to return his call after lunch. We talked at 1:30 PM for about 15 minutes. Ajemian was interested in interviewing someone who could "provide information on a broad spectrum of environmental issues." More specifically, he wanted to know about Grace's approach to environmental problems. I stated that I was confused about what he wanted exactly and asked for examples. He asked "How many law suits does Grace have with respect to asbestos?" I responded that I did not know. He then asked about the radioactive waste problem in Wayne, New Jersey. Ajemian stated that apparently the company's position was "We buried the stuff according to requirements at the time and we have done nothing wrong." Why didn't Grace get involved with the public meetings and the citizens committees trying to solve the problem? Why was Grace so aloof? I told him that I wasn't stonewalling but that area was not one for which I had responsibility. He then asked if I could discuss the Acton and Woburn water contamination issues and Grace's philosophical approach to solving them. Here again I responded negatively. Ajemian then asked for names of those who might be helpful. I declined to name anyone but told him that I would have someone call him back before the end of the day. I suspected that if I didn't make that promise he would do his own search. The interview was then ended. O. M. Favorito, Chris Tofalli, Grace, N.Y., and I had a conversation later in the afternoon concerning our response. Tofalli told us that he wanted nothing to do with Public Citizen or Ajemian and that Peter Grace feels strongly about not cooperating with them. He believes that we can gain nothing by talking to them. 15198025.01 - Since it is apparently a corporate policy to not cooperate with Nader groups, Favo'rito and I told Tofalli that the final decision was his but that Ajemian needed an answer. He said that he would check to be certain that present thinking was the same and would call Ajemian (202) 293-9142. As of 11:00 AM, 19 August 1985, Tofalli had not called Ajemian back. HAE/dd H. A. Eschenbach 15198026