QUTLINE FOR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN
THE UNTTED STATES ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
AND
,
THE TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
REGARDING MEDICAL CARE OF THE RONGELAP AND UTIRIK PEOPLE

The United States Energy Research and Development Administration

(ERDA), formerly AEC, has for more than 20 years conducted a program
of medical surveillance of the people of Rongelap and Utirik that

were exposed to fallout from a weapons test in 1954.

In the course

of this activity, and with the knowledge and consent of the Trust
Territory of the Pacific (TTPI), the ERDA medical taams have
provided limited medical care for all of the people of Rongelap
aud Utirik.
‘The ERDA intends to continue thia program provided
this can be achteved with the consent of tha TTPI and the people
of Utirik and Rongelap.

The people of Utirik and Rongelap, independently have recently
indicated a desire for changes in the type of medical care under
the ERDA program.
Specifically, they have requested that ERDA
expands and improves medical care of all the people on their islands.
It is recognized by the U.S. (ERDA) that general medical care of
the people of the Marshall Islands is a responsibility of the
Administration of the TTPI.
At the same time, it appears that the
request for extended medical care under the ERDA program satems
from a change in the perception on the part of the people of
Utirik and Rongelap of the manner and extent to which past ERDA
activities have affected their lives psychologiaally, socially,
and economically.
It appears, therefore, to be in the interest
of both the TTPI and the U.S. (ERDA) to explore waya in which
these perceived needs can best be met by both parties within framework of their respective responsibilities.
For the purpose of the diacussion between the TTPI and the U.S. (ERDA)
it is proposed that the U.S. (ERDA) is prepared to assist the TIPI
in the discharge of its health care responsibilities to the people

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Form ALC.318 (Rev. 9.53) AECM 0240 i. Hl
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FC U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1974.520.166

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