me y oy World Council of Churches aes [ion Mote eo Sixth ASSEMBLY e+ July - 10 August 1923 Vancouver B.C., - Tocument Canada PR2.2 410773 e REPORY OF TRE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHORCHES DCLUGATION TO THE MARSHALL ISLANDS May 20 to Juno 4, 1983 Team Members Kara L. COLE, Trcomas B. Chairperson: Administrative Secretary of the Friends ‘United Meeting and member, Board of Governcrs, National -Couneil cf the Churches of Christ, USA. COCHRAN, Ph.D: Nuclear Physicist serving as a Senior Staff Scientist for the Natural Rescurces Defense Council, Wasnington, D.C. BSa:teke NABETARI: General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches. B. David WILLIAMS, Jr.: Associate Director for Peace Issues, National Council of the Churches cf Christ, USA, until recently Ccordinator of the Church and Society Program, Pacific Conference of Churches. I. INTRODUCTION Continuing concern expressed by the Pacific churches, through the Pacific Confcrence of Churches, plus requests from the Marshall Islands caused tne WCC tu consider sending this small delegation. A final decision was made in consultation with leaders of the United Church of Christ in Yhe Marshalls and the Roman Catholic Church there. The team was hosted and its basic local itinerary suggested by a local ecumenical planniny committee comprised of leaders from the United Church and The purposes of the Catholic Church. the visit were: (i) to assess the residual radiation problem as an environmental and health hazard; (ii) to study the social and human cost of the US military presence; (iii) to consult with the churches of the Marshalls regarding these questions; and (iv) to explore with the churches, in the context of the WCC's standing concerns for peace and disarmament, long-term strategies ror mobilizing the commitment of the churches around the world on these issues. BEST COPY AVAILABLE