PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMC" Lae y UNITED STATES ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION 4o3O04 PACIFIC AREA SUPPORT OFFICE P.O. BOX 29939 HONOLULU, HAWAI! 96820 April 14, Dr. Nathaniel F. Barr U. S. Energy Research and Developmant Administration Washington, D. C. 20545 1975 BEST COPY AVAILABLE Dear Nat ~- Recalling your remarks of last week about studies you would hope to initiate with the returning Enewetak and Bikini populations, I think you should be aware of some of the objections which have some currency in the Marshalls. See enclosures. is a gentle man who has been our friend and a friend of Conard's over the years. As a young man (37, I believe) he was Mayor, or Magistrate of Rongelap at the time of the Bravo incident, March 1954. His son, was an infant at the time. Bethesda. I met died in November 1972 at at that time and have visited with him since. At funeral he expressed sincere appreciation for Bob Conard's work and for the care his son had received. There was no bitterness evident and that occasion was not taken as an opportunity to embarrass us or open old wounds. Recently, ,however. has become associated with the Conference for a Nuclear Free Pacific and perhaps has had some help in developing into more of an activist than he has been heretofore. Noting especially the third item in his petition, I think that we must realistically appraise the cost in credibility and in acceptance of our other Marshall Islands activities of any research effort which can be construed as "using people". 1I'11 continue to keep an open mind, but X'll also continue to share with you what I perceive to be the parameters and constraints of our situation in the Marshalls. Sincerely, Roger Ray Enclosures: As indicated Assistant Manager For Operations | NUN . ; PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED L$ ad