407 368 UNITED STATES ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545 : SEP 1 1976 Dr. J. L. Liverman, Director, BER TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH DR. CONARD, MARSHALLESE STUDY On August 27, 1976, Dr. Conard called to inform me he received a message from Dr. Knudsen who is now at Kwajalein. Dr. Kotrady, Dr. Knudsen's predecessor, on the way back to the U.S. made a statement in Honolulu to the effect that the people of Uterik and Rongelap are planning to institute a suit against ERDA. The grounds for suing are not clear to me at this time. In addition, Dr. Kotrady stated that he was in charge of getting an independent medical team to the islands presumably to take care of the Marshallese. Also, he was planning to return to Ebeye in the future to organize training of native medical personnel. Dr. Couard indicated that Representative Balos "was in on this." Dr. Kotrady is scheduled to be at Brookhaven next week for a debriefing. I agreed with Conard that the best course of action at this time is for Brookhaven people to assess the situation and contact us to determine future action. Cf i yun.” No Walter H. Weyzen, Deputy Manager Physical & Technological Programs Division of Biomedical & Environmental Research ec: Dr. Bruner Dr. Burr f OUTIOg, st grt ig if @ ° & a od =) Z a 3 nD 776.4918 fe om m _ f- =z ZO < 5 be : . . “4 ih ~