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"To Files
-2-
current funding.
MAR 2 4 1972
Ambassador Williams stated they would be looking to
AEC and DOD for the same kind of support in cleanup of Eniwetok as was
provided for Bikini (AEC supported radiological aspects of cleanup and
is providing followup periodic monitoring and DOD supported cleanup with
removal of metal scrap and other debris and physical hazards such as
rusted towers and sunken vessels in shallow water and on beaches).
Williams stated that he understood the problems of finding funds for such
@ large cleanup effort and stated he would go as high as needed to get
the necessary support and funds for this project.
Ambassador Williams stated he could see the difficulties that would arise
if some of the Eniwetok people were allowed to return to a portion of the
islands before cleanup was accomplished. AEC staff stated that after a
survey of the Atoll is completed, there will probably be some islands
where replanting of coconuts could begin.
Williams feels that the chance for a confrontation with the Eniwetok
people is heightened by their lack of information on what is being considered.
He favors a visit by United States representative to Ujelang
to inform the people of actions to be taken and to obtain their assist-
ance in planning for their return to their homeland.
As with the visit
to Kili to talk to the Bikini people and answer questions about their
return to their atoll in 1968, an AEC representative should go along on
the visit to Ujelang. Williams is considering taking representatives
of the Eniwetok people to Bikini to see how it has been cleaned up and
to see the new houses being built there and to Eniwetok to see what must
be done before they can return.
Ambassador Williams said he hoped that the necessary steps to perform
the radiological survey and cleanup of Eniwetok could be compressed in
time compared to Bikini and that both AEC and DOD can expect a request
for assistance in these areas.
After the April 2 meetings Ambassador Williams would like to meet again
to discuss agreements reached on Eniwetok.
{obWi bad
Tommy F. McCraw, Physicist - General
Nuclear Explosives Environmental
Branch
Division of Operational Safety
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