CONCLUSION

Basis for Compensation
At the outset, the Committee wishes to note that unlike the
Japanese in Hiroshima and Nagasaki who along with their countrymen
were at war with the United States, and unlike the Japanese fisherman
on the Lucky Dragon whose presence in Micronesia was unknown, the people
of Rongelap and Utirik were innocent victims of error and negligence on
the part of the United States.
This is further compounded by the fact that the United States was
acting as a trustee at the time of the incident, a trustee which was

charged with a "sacred trust" and to promote the political, economic,
social and educational] advancement of the people of Micronesia and to
also protect their. lands, their health and foster their general welfare.
The Rongelapese and Utirikese were not belligerents in a war and unlike
the participants in the test series, they were uninformed, unadvised,
unprepared innocent bystanders who were injured and affected as a result

of the pursuit of certain national poilc.es and programs by the. United
states Government.

Additionally, in considering the amount of compensation

due these people, the Committee discards ‘the kind of reasoning used as a
basis for war claims,

ie.,

the economic value of a human life, or the

economic impairment or loss suffered by injury and medical treatment.
Many factors other than the economy of Micronesia or potential earning
power of an individual must be taken into account.
injuries,

In terms of personal

these factors are: pain and suffering-including, future pain and

suffering, ill health or disability, loss of enjoyment (loss of potency,

ability to bear children), possible shortening of life expectancy,
miscarriages, still births and’ births of deformed children, loss of hair
~36-

a 0595

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