The Bikini people continue in their strong desire to resettle their home atoll. Responding to their request, the 97th Congress authorized and funded ($400K) an independent study of the feasibility of rehabilitating Bikini Atoll. The study committee was chaired by Dr. Henry Kohn, Professor Emeritus of Radiation Biology, Harvard Medical School, and issued its interim report in early 1984. The report (page 22) indicates that Eneu may be resettled now. In Congressional testimony* on May 1, 19384, Professor Kohn stated: of the islands are safe for resettlement now. is'Eneu (1.2 km*)." “Some The important one of these Dr. Kohn's conclusions and those of his independent committee (The Bikini Atol] Rehabilitation Committee) are largely based upon DOE sponsored field studies and upon calculations of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under DP's Marshall Islands Program (managed by NV). Assuming Congressional approval of the Compact of Free Association, which the President submitted to the Congress for approval on rarch 30, 1934, responsibility for decisions regarding resettlement will rest with the constitutional government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. However, provision is made in the Compact and in a related subsidiary agreement, for the Republic to request, and the United States to provide, technical assistance in this and related matters. In addition, the United States is committed to assisting the bikinians with resettlement of their homeland when this becomes feasible. The Secretary of the Interior, therefore, desires to again consider the acceptability of Eneu for resettlement. Other Factors: 1. The People of Bikini have filed in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Secretaries Hodel and Clark are among the named defendants) to compel the United States to clean up and restore Bikini Atoll. Positive and responsible actions to provide relief to the Bikini people (resettling Eneu, for example) could well influence the progress and outcome of that suit. 2. The concerned Congressional committees have exhibited a strong interest in the plight of the Bikinians, and their perceptions of the administration's actions in this matter may be expected to influence action on the President's request for Compact approval. 3. The people of another atoll, Rongelap, were resettled in their home islands in 1957, three years after their relocation. As they have recently become more aware of the circumstances of their relocation and of their resettlement, they have attempted to draw a comparison between their atoll and Bikini atoll. In spite of assurances by U.S. officials and scientists, and in part under the influence of aggressive claims lawyers, they have concluded that they are being deliberately, or at least knowingly, placed at risk. Superficially, the radiological conditions at the residence island of Rongelap and at Eneu Island at Bikini are quite similar, with the difference, in fact, favoring Eneu. Recentiy, the people of Rongelap have expressed fear regarding their exposure to radiation hazards, and Marshall Islands Government officials have appealed to the United States Congress to authorize and fund their immediate relocation and resettlement. Disposition of the Eneu question will undoubtedly have an impact upon the Rongelap issue. *House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies.