APPENDIX "D"
DRAFT LETTER TO JCAE, MLC AND GAC
1. After the relatively heavy fallout on the Marshall
Islands March 1, 1954, 82 inhabitants were evacuated first to
Kwajalein and to Ejit where they are now living.
There have
been public statements, concurred in by the Atomic Energy
Commission, Department of Interior and the Department of State
to the effect that these people will be returned to their home
Island of Rongelap as soon as health considerations permit.
Such a statement was submitted to the 17th Session of the U.N.
Trusteeship Council Subcommittee of Petitions, March 27, 1956
by Mr. Vernon D. McKay, Special Representative of the Ad-
ministering Authorities for the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands.
2. Several radiological surveys of the Marshall Islands
especially Rongelap Atoll, have been made during the past two
and one-half years.
The latest survey (July 23-24, 1956)
indicates a presence of a residual contamination on the Island
of Ronselap, but at a level that is acceptable from a health
oint of view, both for the potential external gamma radiation
exposure and the strontium-90 content in the food supply, with
the possible exception of land crabs.
3. Therefore, the position of the Atomic ergy Commission
is that the Rongelapese could be returned to their home island
as soon as rehabilitation procedures on the Island of Rongelap
are completed, with the advice that land crabs not be eaten at
this time.
The Department of the Interior, with whom the final
decision for the return of the Rongelap people rests, and the
ent of Eneray
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Appendix "D"