UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER SAIPAN, MARIANA ISLANDS COMMERCIAL CABLE ADDRESS HICOTT SAIPAN May 24, 1968 Refer: HOA:WKS-500 Mr, William A, Bonnet Manager, United States Atomic Energy Commission Honolulu Area Office P, O, Box 580 Honolulu, Hawaii Dear Mr. 96809 Bonnet: This is in reply to your letter of March 28, 1968, your reference HOA :WKS-500 in regard to the lease agreement for the Rongelap site. At the time of my last writing it appeared that all that was needed before execution of the lease agreement was a land description and a rental figure, I am now informed by the District Administrator's Office in Majuro that there are further complications, Senator Kabua from the Marshalls who is apparently in charge of negotiations on behalf of the landewners is raising many extraneous matters. He has announced that Rongelapese are tired of being guinea pigs and there appears to be strong feelings against the annual AEC medical survey. A further factor is that Senator Kabua is president of the Marshall Islands Import and Export Company (Mieco) and I am told that AEC has been critical of the service that Mieco has provided AEC and that AEC has been slow in paying Mieco, Please understand that I have all of this information second hand and am not conversant with the actual facts being some 2000 miles away. I am writing to alert you to this situation and request your comments, Senator Kabua has advised the District Administrator's Office that he wants to talk with me before going any further on the agreement, Senator Kabua will be in Saipan in the latter part of June. I would appreciate any comments you might have which will assist me in resolving this problem, Sincerely yours, HLtp Donald R, eet Attorney General 9231993 REPOSITORY DOEZL PASo COLLECTION DOELMV ¥ BOX No. 228, “ERDA <3 $70 - eb, ae con