- . - oVi Same If a further move is necessary, there is no guarantee that the next island will be any more satisfactory than Kili, There is a great scarcity of unoccupied habitable islands in the Marshalls group, Indeed there is a limit to how long we can perpetuate the odyssey of the Bikini people without a decidedly, and I might add justifiably, unfavorable reaction that could have far reaching implications, Accordingly, we are most anxious to determine whether the Bikini people can now be returned to their homeland under arrangements which will be compatible with their requirements for a livelihood on the one hand and any continuing United States Government require- ments on the other hand. A necessary preliminary step, of course, is a finding as to whether Bikini and its lagoon are now safe for continued habitation and whether the Bikinians could have hazard- free use of the resources of the atoll and its adjacent water areas, In the event that the Atomic Energy Commission should conclude that radioactivity levels are such that these people might safely return to their home atoll, we shall approach the Department of Defense with respect to the feasibility of their return from the standpoint of Defense Department requirements for the atoll, We should greatly appréciate your having this question reviewed by the appropriate personnel of the Commission at the earliest opportunity and advising us whether, from the health standpoint, the Bikinians might be returned, If there should be some limitations, either as to specific areas or as to specific resources, we should appreciate your advice concerning these limitations as well, Your sympathetic consideration of this request will be greatly appreciated, ecretary of the Interior Hon, Glenn T. Seaborg Chairman United States Atomic Energy Commission Washington, D. C. 20545 . eet a ,