LGZ2i0a0s
Return to Bikini
CHAPTER LIGHT
Responding to the Brhontans’ fade to adquse to Rabe aid
wee ee ee ee ee eee.
ther pleas to be recuimed to chem hooeland, wy the late boeo,
the Phyl Comasstones petstided olficnibs in Wordianptonm, bee te
detcrmiae the condition of Bikini. Vhe wtoll on whale ie aie den
tests datd been comducted sree E997 was examined ly Atcrtats
Pietpy Comanission (AEC) scremuists.
tn Att, B9G8 Che Mies
dent ol the Gnitcd States announced that with the exception of
few small idands, radiacion levels were low cnouph that it of
the atoll was safe for human habication (OLS. Doparcnent od State
1968-304). The Bikinians were elated with the news, and deoarely
thereafter, several of them accompanied the High Commitssicner,’
other officials, and a Corps of newsmen on a reconnaissance of |
Biking. ‘The event was given wide coverape by the aews media, Lae
and the Bikinians once again appeared in the papes of DEW Papers
and Mapa Zanes throughout the world.
The Bikinians? clition was dampened by what they so.
1s
hint was not the idyllic homeland of thet memories. A nieve
amount of debris and equipment deft from be tose. clatter de the
islands and beaches. As a resule of the nuclear CX PCLHICHE. EWwO
ob three small islands and portions of others bad disappear a
Most coconut palias anal other plats of COOUOMIDG
value tick deen
removed or destroyed, and the atoll was engulfed hy aden layer
af scrub vegetation.
.
Unfortunately, chief Juda who had ded the commiaity
through che troubled years since relocation did not survive to
learn that Bikini would be returned to bis people; he diced a lew
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