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THE SECRETARY OFDEFENSE
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WASHINGTON
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. WAR 27 1978
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The Homorebie Peter R. Rosenblet
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President's Personal Representetive
for Micracesi2zn Stains Negotiztiions
Room 3356
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Departmert of the Intexioz
Washirgton, D.C.
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20240
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Dear Mr. Joobessedor: |
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ential cle ims
I would ike to bring to your attention an issue involving poten
against the United Stetes Government thet I believe should be raised, and
resolved, 2% the Micronesian Status Negotiators.
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Bikini and Enewelek Atolls were used by the Usted States fom ahmaspher:
muclear tesSizg Ceonicg the period 1948 to 1958. Twenty~three tests were
conducted af Bikini and forty-three were conducted 2t Enewetzk, The in-
bebiients of these -ztolis were relocazted during the testing, and they were
mot exposed to radiation.
tae land itseli, however, scitered physical
Gemege from the meclear detomations and from residual redioaciive con
feminator, In eddition, the inhahients of two meighhoring 2tolis, Roxzgend Utirik, were exposed acciden=Uy to redicective fallont following the
Marck 1, 1954Brave test om Bikéri Atoll
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The people of these four atolls may fie cleims against the Urized States
‘tor Gamage or injury erising out at the muciear teshiuc. In the cese of
Bidni end Enewetok, claims mzy be brought for lend Gamage or loss,
There is en additional potertiel for claims following resettlement of iho:
etolls should there be fitere personel injury 2s 2 result of expostre to
‘Ray re-.duel rediation rot removed ducing the clecmcp operztiozs.
In th
age oF Ronculan and USrik, there exists 2 potential for personel inter.
Claims as a result of the eccidental exposure of the people to ialicc.,
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EXorts to resolve the cleims issue to date, smchas “ex gpraiial payimmen
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