FOREWORD BY THE COMMITTEE Public Law 40-33 which was enacted by the Congress of Micronesia during the Second Regular Session of the Fourth Congress spelled out two gen- eral areas or mandates for the Committee to work on and study. "To insure that (the people of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls) should receive the best medical treatment available (and to this end) shall attempt to secure any and all medical assistance and aid for the people... from whatever source possible, and "...that these people should also receive compensation for the injuries which they have suffered (and to this end the Committee) shall attempt to obtain compensation for the people of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls for the injuries they have suffered due to exposure to irradiation." The first part of the Committee's mandate was fulfilled by submission of "A Report on Rongelap and Utirik to the Congress of Micronesia, Medical Aspects of the Incident of March 1, 1954 by the Special Joint Committee Concerning Rongelap and Utirik Atolls", and also by the recommendations which it contained. The report detailed the subject incident and other related information. Also, through the efforts of the Committee, four. special medical consultants from Japan, Great Britain, and the United States participated in the 1973 examination and submitted their generally positive findings to the Committee. The intent of P.L. 4C-33 was extended by House Joint Resolution No. 73 as adopted by the First Regular Session of the Fifth Congress of Micronesia, and allowed the Committee the time to prepare this report on Compensation. Regarding this area, the Committee wishes to note that at the time of the writing of this report, negotiations were continuing between the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and the Atomic Energy Commission to bring about -l- 878 yer PORE. ECs ey ae hae a