DRAFT 2 1 Aug 46 ADMINISTRATION President Harry S. Truman signs the Atomic Energy Act creating the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).° 1 Jan 47 ADMINISTRATION The Manhattan Engineer District, responsible for developing the atomic bomb, transfers atomic energy work to the AEC. 2 Apr 47 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The United Nations (UN) Security Council designates the United States as administering authority of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (T.T.), including the Marshall Islands. Article 5 entitles the United States to establish naval, military, and air bases and to erect fortifications in the territory. Article 6 obliges the United States to Promote the economic advancement and self-sufficiency of the inhabitants ... regulate the use of natural resources; encourage the development of fisheries, agriculture, and industries; protect the inhabitants against the loss of their lands and resources ... [and] protect the health of the inhabitants ... Article 13 recognizes the authority of the administrator to close areas for security reasons. 18 Jul 47 ADMINISTRATION President Truman approves the Territory of the Pacific Islands trusteeship agreement between the United States and the UN Security Council and delegates administration of the Pacific Trust Territory to the Navy on an.interim basis. "° Aug 47 ‘MEDICAL RELOCATION... ‘ ke, . 7 ; An official investigating board recommends removal. of the Bikini Islanders from Rongerik because of insufficient food and. water." ae 20 Nov 47 . LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY RELOCATION WEAPONTESTING Apu AEC Chairman David E. Lilienthal informs President Truman that the use of Enewetak for nucleartesting will require the evacuation of 145 natives. According to Lilienthal, to meet U.S. obligations under the Trusteeship Agreement, the U.S. governmentwill accord normalconstitutional rights of citizens to the Enewetakese but will treat them as U.S. wards; will keep displacement to the minimum required for their safety; will resettle the Enewetakese according to agreements reached with them; and will provide adequately for their well-being in their new locations. Lilienthal states that the AEC and the Secretary of Defense will apprise the State Department that during weapontesting at Enewetak the U.S. will not subject T.T. inhabitants “to Cc tou on on3 co asl perceptibly greater danger than, say, the people of the United States."””