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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON28, D. c.
Honorable W. Sterling Cole
Chairman, Joint Coamittes
on Atonic Energy
Congress of the United States
Deer Mr. Cole:
I bave received your letter ef August 18, 1954, te Chairman Strauss,
wherein you request copies of witten material furnished ly the
Atomie Energy Conmission to the Department ef Stete for transnittal
to the United Nations relating te the March 1 incident in the Marshall
Islands. Your letter suggests that previously unpublished infornation
on radiation levels was furnished the United Nationa. You also
asked for a statenent explaining wy the Jeint Committees “vas not
officially informed ef the release of this inforuation at the tine
the report was supplied the United Matiens.*
No information en radiation levels in the sumerical sense vas supplied
the Department of State or the United Nations. fhe effects of fallout
on the Marshallese and the Japanese fishermen were described, however,
in order thet recommendations sade ty the Departaent of State or
actions taken ty the United Nations could be based on information
which was factually accurate.
Aa you knov, a group of prominent eitisens in the Marshall Islands
addressed a petition te the United Natiens on April 2, askirg for
the cessation of further tests in the Pasifie but requesting, if
further tests vere fourd necessary, that all possible precautions
be taken to protect the health and walfare ef the islaniers, In
Preperation for a meeting of the Trusteeship Comeil, the Departzent
of State asked the Comission a series ef questions pertinert to
the Marshall Islanders’ petitien ani the March 1 incidert. I have
attached a copy of the Commission's co:murieation to the Department
of State on this subject for your informatie.
ec - Dr, Bugher, B & M
5000912
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