‘ f eee QFE WEE ONY Read from joint statement -- "These tests will in no way interfere with an early commencement of the rehabilitation process and will be completed by the end of 1973." Interior Comments on recent meeting with local leaders and Micronesian Legal Service by Mr. Peter Coleman, Deputy High Commissioner. We have had meetings with the Eniwetokese and their lawyers. The return to Eniwetok is a strong emotional issue with the people. They feel it is time for them to go back home. Background -- the Marshallese: look at land in a different way. Land is very important to them. Consequently, the people have expressed strongly their desire to return to their own land. The people wish to send about 50 men before the end of 1973 and build temporary houses for then, It takes a long time to rebuild a way of life and they wish -to start as soon as possible. This is the message they asked me to convey to you at this meeting here, Interior Is there any possibility of a small group returning to Japtan before the end of 1973? AEC This would be subject to what has to be done. Japtan was the least damaged of the islands and there is little that needs to be done but the marine life still needs to be cleared and this takes time. ISA What structures would the Eniwetokese like to have left standing? Interior All those structures which could be hazardous should be removed. Unusable warehouses could be dismantled and the people use the material in rebuilding their homes. IV. Responsibilities (Funding, etc.) Interior Funding seems to fall into three areas -- (1) Radiological clean-up and surveys, (2) non-radiological clean-up which would include removal of hazardous objects and (3) finally the rehabilitation -planting of trees, building of houses, etc.