— i tho In view of this, I am greatly surprised to learn about the apparent cispleasure on the part of the people of Utirik as expressed in your letter and, more recently, about your request that Dr. Knudsen leave your island. <A possible explanation for this difference in the feelings for Drs. Conard and Knudsen may be a misundarstanding on the part of your people as to the role and reasons for these docters to come to the islanda. I. would like to repeat that it is my firm conviction that the principal concern of Drs. Conard and Knudsen is the welfare and well-being of all of the people whom they visit. Some misunderstanding could result because of the difference between our languages. Again, I would appeal to your leadership and your teachers to impress upon those who had the misfortune to be exposed to radiation the importance of the medical examinations. Only then can you and I be assured that they will continue to receive the best medical care and treatment that we are able to provide. Together with this letter, I am sending you a copy of "A Twenty-Year Review of Medical Findings in a Marshallese Population Accidentally Exposed to Radioactive Fallout.” This report contains the data collected during the pericd from 1954 to 1975, as well as more detailed information of the findings tn the past five years. The findings in this report are of great importance tn that they have helped the scientists in their understanding of the affects of radiation. Collecting the information in this report: has only been possible through continued cecperation from you and your peaple. I want you to know that the contribution by you and your peopl ; has helped the well-being of all people in the world. io id regret deeply that I cannot attend this meeting. Inetead, I ave asked Dr. Wilidam Furr, my Deputy, to read this Latter. lease convey my very best wishes to the people of Utirdik. Sincerely, James L. Liverman, Director Division of Biomedical and Environmental Research OFFICE 0 > 4 A ¥ SURNAME De HEBBenner Milnebat 1/13 Form AFC-314 (Rey. 9-53) AECM as , os . Blisd! 2 -, F F VT UL 3. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE! 1974-926-106 tt eee ee ee Enclosure: As stated