hs MY GP atte pp SSRI VIS VU REIN SU ee you have made the comment about the author, cee aw ey wes: I should then indicate that I was the first American Scientist in the DOE program who, through the blessings of BNL and DOE, stayed on the island, learned their language, lived like them and was culturally accepted by the Marshallese. Can you think of better qualifications for a person entrusted to carry onto the task of explaining radiation effects to the people of Rongelap and Uterik? Based on only one criteria, that is second to none "Experience", I can say with justification that I had truly gained their confidence and trust. This became obvious to me as the days went by on the island and our conversation began to get involved with their innermost fears. I believe the village meetings held before and after a survey were limited in time and therefore an important aspect of their cultural requisite "time" was always in short supply. It was during the stay on the island that I was able to understand their hesitance to eat island produce, however, I also agree that availability of canned food took precedence over their own produce. However, the fact that their island produce was contaminated definitely assisted them in leaning towards canned: food. It must also be recognized that canned foods are never in full supply and must depend on arrival of ships, therefore the need to fall back on their island produce was always there and it was at that time their concerns were prominent.