ww wee we ee. mw i ee ee ee : — . ge . . United States Department of the Interior ~ os OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 CCT 9 w79 Bonorable Henry M. Jackson Chairman, Carmittee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate Washington, D. C. 20510 DLi or Daar Mr. Chaimnn: This responds to your request for a report on E.R. 3756 as passed by the House of Representatives on May 7, 1979, a bill “To authorize appropriations for certain insular areas of the United States, and for other purposes." The Administration recommends that E.R. 3756 be enacted with the amendments described below. Section 101 fee Section 101 would provide an cpen-erled authorization of funds - the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands after 1980, both as time and avout. The Administration has no objection to the ended provisions. We believe that language that is open-ended as to amount gives recognition to the need for Trust Territory budget flexibility in light of the changes taking place there. Oper-ended timing would accommodate the schedule that might arise from agreement reached ” with the Micronesians on future political status terminating the - trusteeship by the end of 1981. mo Section 102 -. oo o° a ; avards made e§ B PORE 8 Section 102 would authorize the appropriation of 50 percent of outstanding amounts payable under the adjudicated clains the Micronesian Claims Commission under Ti the MicronesianClaims Act of 1971. ‘These awards amomt a in goods and ) pro rata basis Ti I of the remaining amounts by Japan. Since Japan has e: total of $11.8 million (with Japan's share whichhas been paid or made available on a claimants. P.L. 95-134 authorizes payment outstanding upon a 50 percent contribution 8 BS 9 F million. o date, Japan and the United States have mae - made no further contribution, the balance of $22.6 million inTitle I. awards remains wpaid. Claims relating to the immediate post-seare ‘and post war period (the Title IZ claims), totaling approximately $32 million, have been paid. van ag tg — _.