* J. MICRONESIA POPULATION UP 13% MARSHALLS LAW SUITS FILED + High Commissioner Daniel High reports nat the unofficial population of the Trust Territory, following a September 1980 census, is 115,667. This figure does not include the Nerthern Marianas, where the census was con- eucted as part of the U.S. national census. Jigh noted that -several areas still need to he verified. This population figure represents a 13% increase since the 1973 census. personal injury claims against the U,S. government on behalf of its Marshallese Additionally, U.S. Court of Claims suits are being filed on behalf of 14 atolis and 2 islands in the Marshalls. They are seeking $400 million for each atoll or islan for loss and damage to land and radioactive contamination of foods and water. For more information: MIATLP, 10100 Santa Monica Blvd Century City North Building, Suite 460, Century City, California, 90067. “rusteeship Council meeting in New York, High said, "I anticipate that the figure of approximately 19 percent which we cited last week will be found to be accurate...It should be understood that, with over half of the .population residing on remoter outer islands within the subsistcace economy, any FIRE DESTROYS MARSHALLS figures citing unemployment must be caresully defined and understood,” he added. GOVERNMENT RECORDS The two year old government of the CONGRESS SAYS NO $$$ A U.S.congressional committee has (@leted $32 million earmarked for the military -ease of 18,315 acres in the Northern Mariaaas, primarily on Tinian, from the 1982 rudget. Part of the Marianas commonwealth rovenant, approved by congress in 1976, the “.£. option on the lease expries in 1983. In another matter, the Appropriations “‘smmittee of the House of Representatives 'ccided not to approve funds for the rehabi“itation and resettlement of northern Enjebi While the southern zsilands in Enewetak were resettled late last vear, controversy over the safety of the sorthern islands has surrounded the Enjebi =2ople's attempt to return home (10 nuclear rests were conducted on the 1/3 of a square uile island). Approximately $10 million was veing sought for the rehabilitation of the “sland. ~OUPON: The Marshall Islands Atomic Testing Litigation Project, a consortium of more than 10 U.S. law firms, has announced the filing of more than 2,000 multd-million clients. Although up-to-date unemployment fisures were not available at the 1981 U.N. “sland in Enewetak Atoll. 21 Marshall Islands, an American administered Trust Territory, lost its operational center and irreplaceable financial, legal and other records in a predawn fire August 24. The blaze destroyed the administratior building, which housed the offices of the chief secretary, the attorney general and the auditor general, the departments of finance, immigration and social security and the Marshall Islands credit union. Also destroye!l were two government warehouses containirs valuable equipment parts and other materials, No one was injured in the fire, which was discovered by an official who was in his office working late on a new budget. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. The adininistration building was originally 2 wartine gquonset hut erected on the shore of the Majuro Lagoon just after World War iI, when Majuro was a navy base. (Honoluju Star Bulletin, 9-7-81) PS ES ACM LOOeres aere ‘ Tlease send me: _... MARSHALL ISLANDS CHRONOLOGY: 1944-1981, 40 pages with photos/maps...... $2.50 (outside U.S. mail zones, add $1.00 for postage) _. “icronesia Fact Sheet with map...... free _ lt enclose $5(individual) or $10 (library/institution) for 1 year Bulletin subscription __._ I want to contribute to the work of MSC. I enclose $ ADDRESS ZIP ke checks payable to Micronesia Support Committee and return to: nolulu, Hawaii 96826, USA. Telephone: (808) 942-0437 1212 University Ave.,