( an Dr. John R. Totter ( —_f -2- November 4, 1970 was discussed and my impression was that the Trust Territory leaned toward payment of a lump sum of $16,000 to the Utirik people. They would give them the list of people involved and let them handle the distribution. I am not sure if this is a final decision on their part. After interviewing several senior health aides at Majuro, one was chosen to be hired by us to assist us in our program. This health aide will be directly responsible to us and will spend most of his time at Rongelap helping with the general medical care of the people and the thyroid treatment program, He will travel to Ebeye and Majuro where other exposed Rongelap people live to check on their general health status and treatment program in these islands. He will send me monthly reports and participate in the annual medical survey. Mr. Streenan arranged the payment schedule for the health aide at Saipan. The thyroid nodule in the Rongelap girl at Majuro about whom we were worried was found to have reduced in size on treatment and appeared less serious. I, therefore, decided to deferdecision for surgery in her case until the March examinations. Transportation arrangements for our survey proved to be less difficult this year in view of a greater number of ships being available and also the presence of several amphibious planes at Majuro, Arrangements were made with the Trust Territory to move some heavy equipment to Rongelap for our survey. Mr. Streenan will arrange to move a surplus trailer now at Honolulu to Ebeye Island to be set up for our examinations. While at Honolulu, we found that there were five Rongelap children who had had thyroidectomies and are now going to school on Hawaii. They were checked on and will be examined there in February. Sincerely, i _ .T- Z i Robert A, Conard, M. D. RAC: 1s CC: Mrs. Farrington Mr. Dr. Dr. Mr. Ed. Johnston E. P. Cronkite V. P. Bond William Smith, Jr. DOE ARCHIVES