ANNEX TO APPENDIX "B"
Department of the Navy
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Washington 25, D. C.
November 14, 1956
In reply refer to
Op-215B/flf
Ser 0503P21
Dear General Starbird:
This is in reference to your letter of 1 November 1956
wherein you request necessary funds be made available to CJTF
Seven for the purpose of reimbursing the Atomic Energy Commission contractor for the cost involved in construction for the
Rongelap people on their home islands.
The suggestion that the Navy is in any way responsible
for funding the costs involved in the return of the Marshall
Islanders to their home islands indicates a misunderstanding
must exist.
At no time has there been any thought that the
costs of the repatriation and restoration of the islanders
would be a Navy responsibility.
In consequence, no budgeting
or other funding has been contemplated and funds for this
purpose do not exist.
The Navy co-operated by every feasible
means in the emergency removal of the islanders during the
1954 tests and for their subsequent relocation, but no Navy
responsibility attaches for the sequence of events which made
these measures necessary.
“In this connection, Commander in Chief Pacific stated
in his letter serial 0283 of 27 June 1956 that "It is under-
stood that no Navy funds other than for normal support should
be expended for this operation without CNO approval.
It is
noted that Commander Joint Task Force Seven has been requested
to budget for the return of the inhabitants and rehabilitation
of their home island."
This agreement was achnowledged and
concurred in by your letter of 6 August 1956.
It has never
been requested, agreed or implied that the Navy would fund for
construction by the AEC contractor.
No appropriation has been
sought or obtained for this purpose by the Navy and consequently
no Navy funds are available.
In view of the foregoing it 1s suggested that you obtain
the funds for reimbursement of your contractor from other sources
which may be available to you.
Sincerely yours,
G. L. Russell
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
(administration)
Brigadier General Alfred D. Starbird, USA
Director of Military Application
Atomic Energy Commission
Washington 25, D.C.
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Annex to Avpendix "B"