Honorable Richard M.
Pagge 8
May 4, 1973
Nixon
the Bikini rehabilitation project
is reported to be 2.88 million
dollars, including readiological clean up.
In spite of the size
of the rehabilitation project, and in spite of the apparent source
of the funding,
-
nena:
submerged ali
it appears that the Trust Territory government has
the Bikini rehabilitation money in the Trust Terri-
tory General Fund.
Under these circumstances, it is necessary for
the Bikini project to undergo periodic review to determine if it
will be continued during the next fiscal period, and to determine
wnat priority the Bikini rehabilitation project has in the ever
changing Trust Territory list of Capital Improvement Projects
the Bikini project should have
The point is that the funds for
long ago been set aside,
to
be used only
for the rehabilitation
of Bikini atoll, instead of being put in the Trust Territory coffers
where the funds are subject to misuse and the project suojyect to
unnecessary cutbacks and unauthorized review by the Trust Territory
government.
Secondly, the 2.88 million dollars apparent
tly programmed for
Bikini includes $245,000 for "administration" and $248
"resettlement".
Have these funds been expended?
If so, on what?
It is simply mind-boggling that the mis-management, bungling, and
lack of judgment shown by the maladministration of the Bikini
project should cost $245,000.
Thirdly, the budget information available to the Bikinians
shows that the money for me rehabilitation of both KdKili and U}:-lang atoll came from the
ikini rehabilitation budget,
pite
promises to the contrary.
The Bikini people were specificellyv
toid that the money for the improveinent of their Kili Aousiny
vould not come from the Bikini rehabilitation funds; that Uielang
should be rehabilitated with Pikini funds is simply outrageous Fourth, in 1970, the High Commissioner "borrowed" $200,000
from the Likini rehabilitation fund for use on a starfish cradication program.
He never asked, nor told, the Bikini people about
this.
He has never accounted to them for it, and to this day the
Bikini people feel cheated of another $200,000.
It is another
example of the maladministsation of the Bikini rehabilitation proect,
and it is
SONateenterTear
"trustee",
another source for
their
Finally, the people of Bikini do
able to move back
to
“beim
oo-
in
resi-.cnee
ve
RB
ot!
spite
OF
ANRC
there will be
Guranon
danger,
coacirue
statements
sefe.
as ovicdenced by
Lieer
a
ta
Phere
mistrust of
tneix
cy Will he
theix pome land.
will find it changed and bulldvusz
inten:
th
in the Babi.