Mr. Richard M. Page 7 Nixon May 4, 1973 contractor had been selected less than one week before the visit, and had not yet started work on the project. Nevertheless, the Trust Territory did nothing about their request. The contractor was apparently selected for political reasons. The Trust Territory has persisted in doing nothing, and the contractor has done the sort of job that the Bikinians were afraid he would do. The work is sloppy, subject to rapid deterioration, and above all, characterized by continuous unexplained delays. It is almost three years since the contractor was engaged, but the houses are still not ready for the Bikini people. The people have continued to complain about the buildings, but nothing has been done to correct the problems. In addition to problems with the contractor, the rehabilita~- tion project has been mismanaged from the beginning. The most , notable characteristic of the program has been its constant series of delays, most of which are apparently the result of incompetence in the various offices in Saipan. From the beginning there have been delays in material; lack of qualified supervisors, poor relations between the Trust Territory supervisor and the con- tractor, and continuous breakdowns in communication. The whole project is typified by the series of events following the May, 1972 inspection visit to Bikini. The Bikinians had various complaints to make about the housing. Through their OHO attorney, they requested changes be made, in a letter sent to the Director of Public Works in Saipan. Several months laker the letter was an:wered and the changes were by and large agreed to. However, in a November visit, the Bikinians discovered that none of the changes had been made, and that the exchange of letters had been wnolly irrelevant to what the contractor was doing. The inspection trip was pointless, except that it proved that things had changed only for the worse, and that earlier mistakes conplained of had occurred over and over again. Stant , The funding for the rehabilitation of Bikini has been a consource of irritation, puzzlement, and confusion for the Bikini people. No one has seen fit to provide them with statements that detail the source or expenditure of funds appérently appro~ priated for their benefit. The fact that the Biuhini people have not been informed about the fiscal aspeuts of the rehabilitation iS a major error. It should be corrected fat once. itpervence has shovn the Bikinieans that trustees who are allegedly ac for their benefit cannot. always be trusted, and it is of vital Lior tance that full disclosure be mace to the Bikini people of all monies appropriated, allocated, ov s.uent on Lhe Bikini rehabilitacCion projoct. Several Piyck, fuesding problems Lo is assumed ject was separately Or PIC - put noe Truss stand Loo c the or at the overall Teast ~ souvees., confusion. rOhabiLitariow pro- taken Prom miblitavy The total fundiny Lor