state of mind, In terms of the irradiation of the Marshallese, this has been especially true with two groups of people: the Utirikese, and those Rongelapese and Utirikese who are used as control, or comparison groups. This fact is illustrated by the question posed during the public meeting at Utirik. The question was, "How do we compare with the people of Rongelap?" One would imagine that after nearly two decades, these people would have some understanding of their exposure and how it differed from their neighbors. case. Apparently, this is not the This uncertainty despite the annual reassurances of the team that the people are in good health (except for those who are operated on for thyroid nodules) of the islands. has resulted in mixed feelings in the people These general feelings of insecurity can be roughly grouped into three catagories: 1. Rongelapese exposed, of their exposure, Perhaps because of the visible effects these people seem to have the best understanding in certain areas of their situation, It was this group of people who generally expressed a desire for additional medical attention ranging from having Dr. Knudsen stationed on the island to having more frequent medical examinations. However, these people still need to have explained to them in their language at their level of understanding the circumstances of their exposure and its past and possible effects, This is clearly shown by a passage in the seven year report which notes that the health aide "admitted that some of the people at times had eaten coconut crabs in spite of the fact they “ CM S073 161