401764

United States Department of the Interior

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240

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Honorable Amata Kabua

President

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,

Marshall Islands Government
Majuro, Marshal? Islands 96960
Dear President Kabua:

[ am enclosing for your information a copy of a letter I recently
received from the Minister of Public Works, Kunar Abner, with
respect to a request that the people of Mejit and Ailuk Atol] be
included in the proposed medical survey of Likiep Atoll. A copy of
my reply to Minister Abner also is enclosed.
You will recall that I wrote to Mr. Anton DeBrum, Secretary of

Foreign Affairs, on June 15, 1979, when he was in Washington on the
proposed Likiep survey. This was followed up by my letter of July 5,
1979, to you requesting additional information which is needed for
planning purposes.
I well appreciate the concern of Minister Abner for his constituents
on Ailuk and Mejit. The Department of the Interior and the Department
of Energy believe, that in the best interests of all concerned, there

should be one official point of contact in your government as well as
here with respect to the proposed Likiep survey. Orderly planning and
execution of any future survey make this essential. This contact in
the Marshalls Government

we have conceived as being your immediate

office. With respect to the Federal agencies involved, our Department
Will serve as the official point of contact.
I would appreciate it if you would let me know if this coincides with
your thinking.
Sincerely yours,

RUTH G. Vas CLEVE
Mrs. Ruth G. Van Cleve
Director

Office of Territorial Affairs

Enclosures

_ Dr. Walter Weyzen, DOE

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