-9- episode the following morning, I asked for a conference with Mr. Brown and Mr. Otterman and asked for some explanation. Mr. Brown stated that "the boy was lying" and appeared upset because I was questioning him about this matter. He stated that he had checked with the magistrate and that "there was no problem." I then checked with the magistrate and he said "to forget it, no harm was done." I asked to see the boy and his father to apologize but the magistrate indicated that this wasn't necessary - that the boy was his nephew, and that he had taken care of the problem. V\ Another serious problem involving administration/public relations that developed on Rongelap involved the distribution of candy ashore by Mr. Otterman. ‘Three of the most serious conditions encountered in the Marshallese are maturity onset diabetes, severe dental caries and exogenous obesity. The medical group had discussed these problems at some length and in our preplanning had decided that we would restrict, as far as possible, form of candy to the people. This decision the delivery of free sugars in the was the foundation of our initial nutritional educational program and was an integral part of the medical care of this survey. I think it was on the second day of our visit to Rongelap that I noticed Mr. Otterman standing on the beach surrounded by children passing out something from a bag. I left the screening process aboard ship and went ashore // and found that Mr. Otterman was passing out candy and chewing gum to the children. I asked him if he would discontinue the gifts until Mr. Brown and I had a chance to discuss the matter. him of the problem. Shortly thereafter, I located Mr. Brown ashore and informed At this point he became visibly agitated and he requested that I put my request "in writing." I returned to the ship and did so. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Otterman, Mr. Brown and I had a discussion involving the type of foodstuffs that were to be presented as gifts to the islanders. It would appear, superficially, that this is an insignificant problem, 05/734