547 The Enewetak Rehabilitation Program gned his he situation deteriorated further when Ismael John resi tative from T ion as DISTADREP upon being elected as the represen Posing/Enewetak to the legislature (Nitijela) of the newly formed GMI. on to replace Ismael ee DISTADREP appointed from the Japtan populati l s less effective in law enforcement, as was the man hired by the counci wa 5 104.10 . ement settl n the Japta to act as po liceman for Meanwh ile, a proposal was being discussed among government officials ermit an increase in the early settlement population by allowing n. i ‘lies to move into the newly completed houses on Medren and Japta rhe contractors favored the idea since it would reduce their maintenance and insurance costs on the completed houses. There was considerable support for the idea among some government officials. Strong objections were voiced by the Joint Task Group Commander and the Field Command’s Director of Enewetak Operations. !6 The dri-Enewetak were not enthusiastic, however, since Medren in its devegetated state appeared more bleak than their first view of Ujelang. In addition, some of the eventual owners did not care to have others living in their new homes, even on an interim basis. The TTPI disapproved becauseof the potential legal and contractual complications. Thus, despite repeated attempts by others to bring in several hundred moreearly returnees, the proposal was never implemented. !07 Despite the difficulties, the Japtan settlement was beneficial. It was an early act of good faith by the U.S. Government, clearly showing commitment to total rehabilitation and resettlement, even before cleanup operations began. It provided many of the dri-Enewetak an opportunity to see the atoll and to experiencefirsthand something of whatit might belike to live there again. Many others, who did not visit Japtan during the Cleanup Project, were able to see their homeland again during the Enewetak Return Ceremonyin early April 1980. ENEWETAK RETURN CEREMONY The desirability of a ceremony to mark the completion of the cleanup project was first proposed in December 1978 by the then TTPI DISTADMI, Mr. Oscar DeBrum, during a visit to the atoll by the High Commissioner of the TTPI, Mr. Adrian Winkel, the Director, DNA, Vice Admiral Robert R. Monroe, and other governmentofficials. The dri- Enewetak, through their counsel, expressed enthusiastic support for the idea. They wanted to contribute actively to the celebration and participate in the planning and preparations. Coordinated planning commencedat Field Command and in the Joint Task Group shortly thereafter and continued up until the week of the ceremony. A coordinated —_____. - —_— — - ao ean — ———