“ The interested ageucies of the executive branch, specifically the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Atomic Energy Commission, and this Department, recognize, that despite the +e various forms of assistance and compensation provided the affected individuals, they have not obtained redress in terms of all the types of injury they may have sustained. They have not received any payments, as such, for claims based upon pain or suffering in connection with their physical injuries or their necessary but summary removal from their home island for over three years or their natural concern about their own future or that of their children. * We cannot say with any certainty that there will be nic ~:ture illness or death and no diminuation in life expectancy .saich can be attributed to the 1954 fallout. The problem is further complicated in terms of what measure of damage in monetary terms is appropriate considering the nature of their culture and their econony. “ The extent to which claims might be legally compensable at this time should not, in our view, be controlling in any event. You will recall that the United States made an ex gratia payment of $2 million to the Japanese Government on account of claims arising out of the 1954 fallout on a Japanese fishing boat and its crew. The Japanese Government was responsible for determining how the money should be distributed. We believe that the circumstances here also justify assumption by the United States of "compassionate responsibility" and a monetary payment, " Through the courtesy of Senator Henry M. Jackson, Chairman Olympio T. Borja of the Special Joint Committee received a copy of certain testimony before the Territorial and Insular Affairs Subcommittee with regard to HR 1988. The testimony was from a vice-president of the Marshall Islands Congress, Amata Kabua (now Senator Kabua of the Congress of Micronesia). Senator Kabua had arranged for the lawsuit against the United States, and Mr. Dwight Heine (now Special Consultant to the High Commissioner) brought the case of the Rongelapese before the United Nations Trusteeship Council. Senator Kabua demonstrates in his -17- , “. ; . ; we es cay he I ee, geeeer ee, Te ESa eS i TR alee eae woe 4