fis document Copy Wo. l -’ UNITED STATES -nsists of 7pases a DA vpnie” DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY or tee c WASHINGTON, D.c. 2024NIQUE Doce: feet Aa EE Dear Mr. Chairman: Fee _-7 series--- if vi - 186 DEC Q 1966 i n 404182 In 196 the people of Bikini Atoll in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands were removed from their home islands in order to permit the United States to use the atoll for test purposes, The 2 Bikini people were moved initially to Rongerik Atoll and subse- quently were relocated on the island of Kili in the southern Marshalls, The United States did not acquire title to Bikini Atoll; the arrangement with the Bikinians was one of indefinite use rights, with the atoll returning to them at such time as United States requirements for the islands should come to an end. United States nuclear and thermonuclear testing in the Mershalls, and the movement of the Bikini and Eniwetok people from their islands, were viewed with great concern by the people of the Trust Territory. The Bikini people in particular have requested on nun- erous occasions to be returned to their home. The Trust Territory government has explaingd the hazards of living on Bikini and of IeThis is most unfortunate, In the near future it is likely that there will be held a plebiscite to permit the people of the Territory to make a decision as to their political future, Micronesians overwhelmingly choose to be affiliated permanently with the United States, Consequently, we are very much concerned lest the plight of the Bikini people unduly influence the Micronesians' choice. . | coe ee The population pressures on Kili, where the Bikinians now live, and the difficulties of maintaining a satisfactory level of living there are such that the High Commissioner of the Trust Territory believes that it may soon be necessary once asain to “relocate the-Bikini people. Kili has been a most unsatisfactory =ail}' home, The island is surrounded by a fringing reef. 33 38 : $5 e Pr Zieh ow . DEPARTMENT OMMEIERGY DECLASSIFICATION REVIEW, NAME: be ‘a ; fe SF | rad o3 — 1. CLAS“HICATION RETAIN Ee wt , * Sst 1ST REVIEWER-DATEO aT f] DETERMINATION [CIRCLE NU AUTHORITH OAC? & There is no lagoon and for mich of the year it is difficult if not impossible to land on the island, <4 = 2ND REVIEWS It "is of the utmost importance to our national interest that the =; ¢| ee7ae= > anes DEPARTMENTOF ENERGY DECLASSIFICATION REVIEW DETERMINATION (CIRCLE NUMBER(S)} CATION RETAINED 2. CLASSI CATION CHANGED TO: 3. CONTA WS NO DOE CLASSIFIED tO NATE WITH: CATION CANCELLED 5 using the resources of the atoll and its adjacent water areas, but the presence of Americans living in former test areas has made it difficult for many Micronesians to understand why the Bikini people cannot live safely in the same areas, The entire matter continues to place the United States in an unfavorable light throughout the Territory. J . _ " GHTETYS OLAS PTE * } OLICM DIVA CVO I