4Ol76s United States Department of the interior OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 JU, b2 ? 1976 Mr. Kunar Abner Minister of Public Works Marshall Islands Nitijela Post Office Box 24 Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960 Dear Mr. Abner: This is in reference to your letter of July 19, 1979, requesting that the people of Ailuk and Mejit be included in the medical survey which is being considered for the people of Likiep Atoll. I well appreciate your concern for the people of Ailuk and Mejit. My Office has been in correspondence with the President of the Marshal] Islands on the proposed medical survey of Likiep Atoll] since the Department of the Interior is serving as the focal point for all the Federal agencies involved in this matter. Similarly, we believe that there should be one central official point of contact in the Marshall Islands Government. make this essential. Orderly planning andexecution of any future survey We have conceived this official point of contact in the Marshalls to be the immediate office of the President. Accordingly, on behalf of the Federal agencies concerned, I am calling your request to the attention of President Kabua and have asked for his official comments. Sincerely yours, . pape uep VLE Mya G VAN CLEVE Mrs. Ruth G. Van Cleve Director Office of Territorial Affairs cc: Dr. Walter H. Weyzen, DOE a QUEL obs