DRAFT 14 28 May 54 CLAIMS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY AEC Chairman Lewis Strauss requests the Secretary of la to consider settling claims of the Marshall Islanders resulting from the wea n test activities because the Federal Tort Claims Act precludes the AEC from a pvering Marshall Islanders’ claims.” 3 Jun 54 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Through a contract with the AEC the University of Hawaii rees to manage the newly created Enewetak Marine Biological Laboratory on Medre istand, Enewetak Atoll. The AEC/DBM provides policy direction and sponsorship. ne laboratory will serve as a base of information about the systematics, ecology, and ife history of the atoll’s flora and fauna.” 271 Jun 54 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL RELOCATION Maj. Gen. E. McGinley, U.S. Army chief of staff, lists the following as responsible for the care and disposition of the Rongelap and Utirik tolls inhabitants: Thomas A. Hardison as the CJTF-7 representative at Enewetak for t temporary care and disposition of the Marshallese affected by Castle Bravo; CINCPIACFLT for overall responsibility for restoration of atolls with AEC assistance and r the return of inhabitants; the J.T. high commissioner for routine welfare an care; and the AEC/DBMfor monitoring the physical conditions of the Rongelap anji Utirik residents. The }TF-7 is paying for such matters as certain medical expenses r the evacuees, replacement of livestock lost because of contamination, and the tonstruction of a temporary village for the Rongelapese at MajuroAtoll.” 9 Jul 54 CLAIMS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The DOD general counsel agrees to accept Marshall Islander ‘ personal injury, damage, and private property loss claims received by the AEC use the Foreign Claims Act authorizes the United States armed forces to pay s $5000.” claims under 12-13 Jul 54 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL RADIATION Participants in a conference on surveys and studies of the Marshall Islands agree to the need for a series of long-term medical and environmenfal surveys for an indefinite time of the Marshall Islands and their inhabitants affect by the nuclear weapon testing. Dr. John Bugher assumes that the DBM wél bear financial responsibility for such work but expects the trust territory to handl@ normal medical care. "Our job is to see that it is done and that the facilities are rovided,” Bugher says. 93