These are strong, perhaps even paranoid statements. put though they may be a@ifficabt to ac ecept they must be seen fcr their sianificance -_ ~. a + . 4 ue Cynicssm ani? Poustcation waren they verlect. Tne problem of the primary contaminated atolls, Bikini and Enewetok, is ceeply troubling. A serious cleanup attempt is being made at Rnewetok, at awreported expenditure of $218 million. Inthe Licht of Gu b the drastic measures and unusual lifestyle required for resettlement, o is not yet clear if many of the people will chcose to return. ‘y i 2 ” ' ‘t oO a nr £ O Oo ee: kini peses a more difficult case than Enewetok, and thus far the “Government has taken the pesition that cleanup would be too coensive. It would seem that a profound moral and legal question is sed here for the alcbal community. Who is to decide upon such ighty Matters of land abuse and restoration? While even a very imperfect cleanup at Bikini could cost several hundred million “.lars, some Marshallese pointed out that the US Government is nding much more than that amount on just a few weapons such as MX missiles, now being tested at Kwajalein. iculate young man asked, III. At one meeting an "Why can the US do whatever it chooses?" US SECURITY NEEDS AND KWAJALCIM ATOLL ro a most hasic level, this situation must be scen as one of the many tragic effects of the arms race. It was the US perception of 2123 cym security neers which was the driving foree behird the testing Er-gram and new the way in wi.ich the new political arrangements are on~civing. While the US would clearly like to resolve and be free Tlom the ubiquitous problems and unfortunate colonial image asscciated with the Pacific Tsland Trust Territory, its current military requirements are having major impact@ upon the political, cconomic and social status of the new nation. I: is at the Kwajalein Atoll where we see the embodiment of this guestion. The Kwajalein people, most of them now living in crowded Gismal conditions on 27 Ha. (67 acres) Ebeye Island, are seeking, thus far unsuccessfully, to attain a measure of restoration to their lend, which is being used as part of the missile testing range. The determination of the Kwajalein people, worxing through an organization known as The Kwajalein Atoll Corporation, is a remarkaple story in itself. The Kwajalein people will without doubt play a key role in this continuing debate. IV. "TEE LAWYERS" Lawyers and the litigation to pursue health damage and land claims have become a sicnificant, often troubling political factor. This, tco, is a consequence of the weapons testing program. Are the people being exploited in new ways through the lawyers, even as they deal with Older injustices? Is there an unfortunate "pull" towards money solutions, Or compensation, rather than long-term restoration of the basic relationships between the people and their land and culture? Perhaps, but the lawyers apparently have brought these Greatly disadvantaged people a new means of much-needed power, and it would be most unwise to jeopardize this by attacking their sensitive lawyer-client relationship. ~ of *