need for continued examinations when nosignificantfindings were reported. In spite of such prob- ther compensation for injuries received. although, on the basis of the effects of their previous compensation in 1965, the ultimate benefits are doubtful, and another payment might push them furthertowardthestate of welfare and perpetualdole. Dr. lems, the people have always been friendly, and, except on one occasion (a case of political interference, described below), have generally cooperated in the examinations. Psychological reaction to the fallout has beerrreflected at various times in fears regardingfertility, a belief that fish poisoning was dueto radioactivity rather than to the poisonous natureofthe fish, feelings of weakness attrib- William Peck, the former Director of Health Ser- vices in the Trust Territory, has putthis situation nicely: “To withhold further funds and thus deepen the grievance, or increase the compensation and thereby the dolor of dependence- either course of action seems only to compound their original injury, and our dilemma!” Further probiemsin the Marshall Islands are associated with the return of the former residents to live on Bikini and Eniwetok, which were contaminated duringthe testing program. Numerous radiological surveys have indicated that with certain restrictions these atolls can be habitable again. Since a number of concrete homes have been completed on Bikini, about 40 people have uted to radiation, and fear of thyroid cancer and leukemia(following the death of the Rongelap boy). A major concern for the past 5 years has been localpolitical interference and questions concerning the medical examinations. The Trust Terri- tory now has a Congress of Micronesia (not connected with the U.S. administration), which has appointed a Special Committee to investigate the health status of the Rongelap and Utirik people. Unfounded accusations were madebycertain local politicians that the United States deliberately exposed the people to fallout so that they could be used as “guinea pigs” to study theeffects, and that the medical team was concealing deaths from radiation and wasnotreporting ail ofits findings. In March 1972 the survey was interrupted by the politicians and had to be aborted at Rongelap. Afterwards the Congress of Micronesia appointed medica! observers to accompany the team ona survey in September 1972. Two prominentphysicians from Japan (Drs. H. Ezaki and T. Kumatori), one from England (Dr. E.E. Pochin), and one from the returned, but they must be subsidized becauseit will be several years before the coconut and other trees bear fruit.A numberof people are expected to return to Eniwetokto live in the near future. The medical team as well as other radiological safety personnel at BNL have been assigned the responsibility of personnel and environmental monitoring to assure the radiologicalsafety of the returning people. Personnel monitoring and en- vironmental surveys at Bikini were instituted a few years ago, and only very low levels of internally absorbed radionuclides have been noted. ERDA is sponsoring continuing surveysof these atolls, being done byseveralinstitutions. The medical surveys have been a rewarding experience for all the personnel who have participated. We have been fortunate in obtaining the services of talented specialists and technicians and in having the continued staunch support and assistance of many people at Brookhaven National U.S. Public Health Service (Dr. W. Cole) accom- panied the team and participated in the examinations. Their report to the Congress of Micronesia was most favorable and has done muchto quiet the political accusations. The Special Committee on Rongelap and Utirik published a lengthy report?4 ofits investigations, including the report of the observers, and this also has helped bring about a more favorable attitude to the medical examinations. Two major bills have been initiated by the Congress of Micronesia. One concerns paymentof travel and living expenses for any patient from Rongelap and Utirik on our examinationlist who needshospitalization. This bill has been approved by U.S. authorities and is being implemented. The other concerns compensation for the Rongelap people for ill effects of fallout exposure and provides also for a payment to the Utirik people andfor special compensationto the parentsof the boy whodied of leukemia. (See Appendix 1.) We believe that the Rongelap people are entitledto fur- Laboratory, ERDA,and the Trust Territory, and the authorities at Kwajalein, without which the success of the surveys would not have been possibie. The medical team has developed a deep friendship for the Marshallese over the vears. In spite of the injuries and hardships resulting from the 1954 accident, they have cooperated with us even through the period ofpolitical disturbances. With the improvedpolitical climate and attitude toward the examinations we look forward to conunuing these important and challenging missions and to offering specialized health care to these Marshall Islanders in future years. R.A. Conard, M.D. Vil