AOL 7S BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INC. UPTON, LLL N.Y. 11973 REFER: TEL. AREA CODE S16 YAPHANK 4-6262 MEDICAL DEPARTMENT November 4, 1970 Dr. John R, Totter Director, Division of Biology and Medicine United States Atomic Energy Commission Washington, D. C. 20545 Dear John: I have just returned from a two-week visit to the Islands. Mr. William Streenan, AEC Las Vegas Office, accompanied me in order to arrange certain fiscal matters. I should like to bring the following results of this visit to your attention, 1. The matter of "inconvenience" payment of the Utirik people was discussed at Majuro with the District Administrator, Mr. Oscar DeBrum. Unfortunately, my appointment at Majuro with Mr. Charles Dominik, the Marshallese Congressman who had been asked by the Utirik people to represent them in this matter, did not materialize. He was away in the northern Marshalls campaigning since his Congressional seat was contested by another. [I heard that he was making promises to the Utirik people about payment and might be considering employing an attorney. I sincerely hope this matter does not get tossed around like a political football. A second Utirik case of thyroid nodularity in a young girl was operated upon recently at Majuro. We had reconmended surgery in this case from our examinations last March. (The tumor proved to be benign.) Though this case was not in a person exposed to fallout, apparently the people are confused and now think they have two thyroid cases resulting from fallout, At Saipan, the High Commissioner was away in Washington, but I met with his assistant, Mr. Peter Coleman and he called a meeting of several of his department heads including their attorney. I had received your dispatch by then with the okay by Mrs. Farrington for direct discussions at Saipan. I explained the objectives of the Utirik payment and that tentative approval had been obtained from the AEC for payment of $100 for each exposed Utirik person or their next of kin. It was agreed that the Trust Territory should handle the payment of this momey to the people. The method of payment RG US DOE ARCHIVES 326 US ATOMIC ENERGY COMUPSSTION Collection 2PM -£P Fet(léS pox G%2_ T87 OSR6 ——- oe aa votderMAE“)Yo Naor, Poet O97L7