Mr. i.chard M. Page 5 May 4, 1973 Nixon project largely involved importation of agriculture experts to tell the Bikini people how to cultivate important food crops such as taro, pandanus, limes, and other seedlings imported from other islands. Much of this agriculture program met with some success. Efforts were also made to placate the Bikinians by giving them several acres of land on Jaluit atoll, about 30 miles from Kili. ‘However, that Jaluit land program was largely a failure, for many different reasons. The lands on Jaluit were seldom used because they were barren and without food trees, because travel between Jaluit and Kili was uncertain and infrequent, an&d because the Bikini people were most unwelcome at Jaluit and the Jalull people disputed the title to Jaluit lands given to the Bikinians. After complaints had been made to the Unitcd Nations Visiting Mission, another boat was obtained for the use of the Bikinians. The Libra was old 54 foot mission vessel that the Trust Territory outfitted with a new engine and sails. The vessel, for the First time, alleviated the isolation of Kili and the failure of field trip ships to call more than once every six or eight months. In November, 1957, typhoon Lola struck Kili, and devasted the new agricultural project and sank the Libra. All the taro was killed by salt intrusion, and 503 of the breadfruit trees were killed. In January 1958, another typhoon struck nearby Jaluit, wiping out most food trees there and creating widespread destruc- tion. Jaluit. Aiter the typhoon, most rehabilitation efforts went to The Bikinians were back where they were in 1948, except that by now there were more than 250 people living on Kili. Food shortajes again ensued in 1958 and 1960, alleviated for short periods by the arrival of C-raticns and other emergency foodstuffs. Relocation was again discussed by the United States government, but rejected. The Bikinians continued to complain about Kili and their prison. Kili enana. \. bs | Up throvgh recent times, food shortages have occured on Kili. t recently, the U.S.D.A. food program hes been extended to Kili. Le id trip service is slightly more reliable. The fishing is still non existent, and the island is still an island and not the home ‘atoll of Bikini. All that is said above is sinply a prologue, an cl antroduction to the statenent of the grievances and inegquitics thas besek the Bikini people today. IS in 1946, whe: jiome, the United ang Bikini. The had Legal title & Congest Farialy L056, to arbor “setilde” sone fF ee te roan ELVSe moved ot irom 1 + ther: Le with the people conc-.cnaa fe ak form the peenia thre trey 1 , and the B rindads, even Fr they hee sucn were Loo infdatd.ted Lo siate ik. Ta world publicity, the Rixint proplem. Atcer the several Unicead Stace: discussion he pot ARCHIVES VAD es