and did not discourage him. Yhese points noted, tre Committee ‘ould also like to commend the executive hranch, including tligh Commissioner Johnston, Deputy High Commissioner Peter T. Coleman, Dr. William Peck and Dr. siasao Kumangai for their excellent cooperation, help and assistance to tne Committee since its. creation. The Committee would like to make one last point before proceeding to the recommendations, which has oftentimes clouded the issue connected with the people of Ronqelap and Utiril.. This is the often heard complaint or charge by persons in the Administration or nersons connected with the annual surveys that it is unfortunate that political issues are heing injected into what is a rurely medical and scientific matter. does not agree with this attitude. The Committee The Committee would like te remind those who hold this attitude of the origins and connotations of the word The original Greck root vord and suffix, and “political.” the present dav connotations of the word"politic"relate td the citizens of a governmental state and the enforcenent of lavs and regulations for their benefit. A political action is any action which takes place in the public realm of the nolis. Thus, virtually any action is a political action which affects or influences otner people. In a more general sense then, and pecause of other considerations, actions. by both strict definition the annual surveys are volitical As it nertains to the ’Special Joint Committee or the elected representatives of the Roncelapese and Utirikese, their actions have heen committed in the interest of their constituents with the intent of their health and welfare. past, however, Certain actions of the Administration, improving in the appear to be more defensive and retaliatory in nature und more concerned with the image of the Trust Territory Covernment than they 34 ‘ 171