40% G1 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS COMMERCIAL . CABLE A DDRESS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER . HICOTT SAIPAN “SAIPAN, MARIANA ISLANDS December 9, 1968 Dear Mr. NA Mr. William A. Bonnet Manager Honolulu Area Office Atomic Energy Commission Honolulu, Hawaii Bonnet: This is in response to your recent inquiry regarding our need for Atomic Energy Commission drawings of Bikini installations. At this time we do not have funds budgeted for Bikini cleanup, which we were hopeful could be funded and accomplished by the Atomic Energy Commission or the Department of Defense. We have received cleanup estimates from your Commission indicating that the cost would amount to $1.2 million. It has been proposed that a $1.7 million Bikini redevelopment allowance, including $1.2 million for cleanup, be included in our FY 70 budget proposal. I am opposed to accepting this responsibility and obligation until I am convinced that there is no altermative. Furthermore, I doubt that the Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives will regard the cleanup of the atoll as an appro~ priate charge to the Trust Territory. I appreciate your interest, but suggest that the plans not be forwarded to us until we seek and obtain further clarification of the question of whether the Atomic Energy Commission or the Department of Defense is going to participate in the financial responsibility for returning Bikini to the Trust Territory free of contamination and cleared of hazardous, useless and unsightly debris. Thank you for your continuing interest. Sincerely yours, | REPOSITORY Doe/ PASO Doe JVssa = COLLECTION S22 F | ELOA® 2 BOX No FOLDER DUKIAN SoaveyC /0-tHe0) 2.7 7Heu (3/16 WRVypery William R. Norwood High Commissioner