REPOSITORY JEL —_ 3200 OFAC tary COLLECTION Coregoondenee. 185)-98 BOX No. ID _ fe FOLDER MREA T-[, Vol. Ul 408751 py Mr. Gerard C. Saith Special Assistant to the Secretary of State ' K 195T Bool COPY AVAILA'S Dear itr. Onith: The Atomic Energy Comaisaion has comidered the probles of returning the Rongelap people to their home atoll in the Trust Torritory, and has carefully weighed the date from radiclogical surveys meade during the past two and ons~helf years, including that of tha latest survey made in duly 1956. These data indicate « presence of a residual comtaainetion on the Island of Rongelap, dut at a lewei that 1a acceptable from a health point of view, both for the potential external gamm radiotion exposure and the strontium-90 cantent in the food supply, with the possible exception of land crabs. the Commlicsion's position is that the Rongelapese could be returned to their home island as soon as rehabiiitation procedures on the Island ef Bongelap are completed, with the advice that land crabs not be eaten at this timc. In aecordance with previous views of the Departaunt of Stats, the Atomic Energy Comalasion 1s oreoceeding with implementation of the program for the reconstruction and rebabilitation of the homes end fseiifties on Rongclep. It fu expected that these preparations will require approximately five momtha. Since the AEC has made 2 determina- tion that it wlll be safe from a health standpoint to return the Rongelapeoe to their how: isladkd upon ccapletion of these preparations, your concurrence in this plan to return these people to their hone ivinnd de requested. ec: eral Mer. (1° Seeretarizt (3) Cong. Com. Seetion (2° PMP GMDunning san hos, mor ere Director CLDunhem GEN. Mge. Gg21 athena -