UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545 Honorable Olympio T. Borja Chairman, Special Joint Committee Concerning Rongelap and Utirik Congress of Micronesia Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950 Dear Senator Borja: This is in response to your letter of April 23, 1973, with the enclosed copy of your interesting report. Your committee is to be complimented for its hard work in pursuit of its mission. The following addresses the several matters discussed in your letter. The Atomic Energy Commission has received a request from Mr. Stanley S. Carpenter of the Department of the Interior on behalf of the High > Commissioner of the Trust Territory to enter into an executive agree- ment relative to Micronesian Public Law No. 5-52. In a response to Mr. Carpenter, I have expressed AEC's interest in discussing with the Department of the Interior the funding by AEC of research-related services as they may be provided under that law. The distribution of funding must take into account the authorized responsibilities of the Trust Territory Government to provide routine medical care in the Pacific Islands and of AEC to conduct research-related activities. it is my understanding that Dr. Knudsen has provided valuable medical service to the people of Rongelap and Utirik. If Dr. Knudsen does not return to the Marshall Islands District, the AEC has approved recruitment of a replacement for him. In contrast to the large medical manpower pool of the U. S. Public Health Service, AEC and its contractors, including laboratories, employ relatively few physicians and, accordingly, have a limited potential for recruitment of a suitable physician. However, if the recruitment becomes necessary, Dr. Conard, with the assistance of the distinguished physician members of his survey teams, should be able to obtain the services of an interested and qualified physician. You may be assured that AEC will assist Dr. Conard in this matter.