aft Ammounceticrnt (Second Version) The President announced today that plans are underway to return the people of Bikini to their home atoll in the Marshall Islands. A special committee of expert consultants has reported to the Atomic Energy Commission that Bikini Atoll, site of more than 20 nuclear tests © between 1946 and 1958, is once again safe for human habitation. The Defense Department has reported after a special study that the return of the people is consistent with security requirements. There will be a continuing requirement for the use of some sites on the atoll and there may be a need for Defense Departuent personnel to be stationed on the islands from time to time. These uses will not prevent the return of the people nor the re-establishzent of their normal way of life. Bikini Atoll is a ring of 26 coral islands, 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, on the northwestern fringe of the Marshall Islands. Before 1946, when the Bikinians were moved to make way for miclear tests, about 150 persons lived on the atoll. They moved first to Rongerik Atoll and since 1948 have lived on Kili in the southern Marshall Islands. The Kili population is now about 300 and a total of about 500 people regard | Bikini as their traditional home. Because of the dense overgrowth of the isiands and the lack of any . substantial quantity of foodstuffs growing on the atoll, an extensive ‘ ral clearing and replanting program will be required. In addition, housing» and community facilities, such as a school, dispensary, and a water collection systen, will be needed before the Bikinians can return from | t L 3 ‘ 4 4 ‘Kili.