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 [7