ee 4qqoe? UNITED STATES on [> ut 4 —_e wn ry Vv 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 Your letter suggests that previously unpublished infornation on radiation levels was furnished the United Nationa.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 \\-