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PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED
5.
The Attorney General's Office informs me that Micronesian Legal Services
lawyers have inquired as to whether the above paragraph might provide
for compensation for loss of personal or real property. While our
counsel indicated that such section did not include payment for property
damage, the provision may leave room for the initiation of claims and/or
lawsuits. While I consider this paragraph to be clear as to its meaning,
I would suggest, if the act is to be amended in any event, that this
paragraph be altered to specifically include only "physical injury or
physical harm." That amendment should satisfy the concern of the Attorney
General's Office and clearly set forth the intent of Congress.
Again,
only if the act is to be otherwise amended should this suggested change
be ancluded.
(5)
APPROPRIATIONS
As you have pointed out, there are not sufficient funds on hand to make
total payment under the act for those persons presently entitled to
payment.
The Trust Territory Department of Finance has received the sum
of $1,083,000, but present known claims exceed this sum by $682,000.
A
breakdown of the additional funds needed, as of this date, is as follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Community payment, Bikini, Rongelap and Utirik.
Payment to parents of
. ee ewe
Payment to heirs of
(note this
individual died as a result of stomach cancer.
As a result of the stomach cancer the Brook-
.
.
$ 300,000
§
~=650,060
haven Medical personnel listed him as a
claimant for $25,000.)
Under the act his
heirs are entitled to further payment equal
(d)
to that paid to heirs of
Payment to heirs of
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ee
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ww
ew $
«75,000
.. 8
75,000
contracted radiation illness and was taken
from Rongelap to Brookhaven National Lab in
New York.
There she was
treated and returned
to Rongelap where she died soon thereafter.
was added to the list of persons
entitled to the $25,000, however, there is
no indication that her heirs are entitled to
the $100,000, or at least we should say
Congress has not appropriated that amount
for her heirs...
.............'.
{e)
New additions per Dr. Conrad letter
(£)
Payment for Utirikese who are additionally
dated January 4,
1978.
........4.2...
. $ 175,000
entitled to $25,000
(Note:
Those people
were exposed thus they are entitled to $1,000.
Additionally,
ee,
.
.
Loe
2
[
im ‘|'
3;
they contracted radiation illness
PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED
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