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. of the program are hela by the current high level ‘DOE administrators.
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most recent and concrete manifestations of this confusion are:
4.
The BOE (Headquarters, EV) coordinator was unaware that in the |
summer of 1978, a “memorandum of agreement.” between the Department of
vee
Interior officials and the Marshall Island officials (the Bikini Council)
had assured future medical care for the Bikinians, after evacuation from
theix home atoll.
The Department of Energy (presumably the BNL/MI medical
gxoup) were apparently tasked with that responsibility.
I found a copy of
that agreement in the Department of Enexgy/PASO office in the summer of 1979
{a. year later).
Since the early summer of 1978, I have repeatedly requested
both orally and in writing, clarification of “medical responsibilities” of
the BNL group in respect to the people of Bikini.
by car".
I was advised to “play it
This inability to resolve a rapidly escalating problem led to a
serious decrement in the research effort, i.e., funds and time were diverted
to the care of Bikinians along our examination route.
The people of the
study group perceived that "their care" was incrementally reduced by the
assumption of the responsibility for the Bikini people and they cxpressed
their concerns about the dilutions of our efforts.
In summary the DOE/DOI
inability, extending over more than a year, to give us clear programmatic
guidance made me skeptical of their ability to make important management
decisions.
2.
‘he second manifestation of the impact of high level indecision
is probably best represented by the procurement, certification, and continued
use of an unsuitable ship for the program.
{I clearly pointed out the un-
suitability of this ship more than a year ago, yet the problem remains
unresolved and is now controlling the program, with potentially vory cerious
consequences for the program in the coming months.
This is fully documented,
yet this week I xeeeived an inquiry about expanding the program to include
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