924 DESIRE OF BIKINIANS TO REMAIN ON BIKINI ATOLL Mr. Yates. Your letter indicates that the Bikinians want to stay on the ato]]. Is that impossible f Mrs. Vax Creve. In our judgment, it would be improper for them 1o remain because of the medical risks involved. and the Department of Energy agrees with that conclusion. Accordingly. we meanto persist in our plans to relocate them. this in the interests of their physical safety. We recognize. of course. their preference to remain. That is why we have had this problein for sonie 30 vcears and if will continue for some decades hence. We are simply trving to meet it in the most reasonable way we know. recognizing the physical threats that exist if they remain on Bikini Island. CATSES OF RADIOACTIVITY ON BIBINI ATOLL —_—— Mr. Yarzs. Let's look at it a minute before we go to the High Com- nuissioner's statement. Terenconthey afc Cuca irs. VaNCine T beheve it is a combination of both, Mr. Yatrrs. That wasn't Mr. Deal's testimony the last time, As I] remember his testimony the Jast time. it was internal cause: rather than external causes: is that right. Mr. Deal f Mr. Foray. T think mavhe both are nicht. The external radiation has to oe CONsiticu. Phe mnlernal 3S so Teh that jtavershadaw~ the ae — oma Ir. Yates. How potent is the external: and suppose vou did not have the internal radiation? Would it be feasille for them to remain? Mr. Draw Theeste Mr. Yates. js ahout dj It ae be as dangerous as van. FULT ver Mr. Dear. Yes, sir. Denver. Colo.. is to those Mr. Yates. They are not evacuating the city of Denver. are they?! Mr. Dear. I hope not. Mr. Yates. So. therefore. the amount of external radiation in the city of Denver is not considered sufficient for that city to le evacnated, I assume. therefore. that if that is the same condition on Bikini. the basic cause for your suggestion or your recommendation Dakin. io ian: le evacuated is the ingestion of the food and the water: correet ! oh. DIFAL Les. Sih, Mr. Yates. Now 1f the Bikinians wanted to stavthere. stay on their ato)). if they did not consume the water and the food that was there. I would deduce from what vou say “hat it would be as dangerous for them to live on Kili or Jajuit or any one of the other islands as it :-B: . right! J Dear +x sir. the other islands are quite—— ATr Voatrs. them an Thatuert. usc to the basic question then: Conouefic ove them water ron Over senprees Cab Walle rermit them Thimree tit tev wold not be taking mnthe radiated Tood ea : Mr. Drs. If you ask my opinion. Mr. Chairman. pemensl Thaxe concludedthat it is probably impractical to have people hving in Cl 90014149 DOE ARCHIVES -