Mr. Tomy F. McCraw -3- March 28, 1974 a principle, unknown to me, which would deny the people that right, I fail to see the sense of an argument which has occupied our masters in Washington for more than a month. On Tuesday we got the right answer, but for tlhe wrong reason. My flag hung a little limp when the matter was finally decided upon the question of whether we might get caught: Next let's talk about an early return to Japtan. The people of Enewetak have raised this question. This is not Mitchell. It has no sinister overtones. It is a sovereion, gentle people acknowledging that for reasons they do not pretend to understand, they cannot have their entire atoll now and without reservations, but asking for an earnest of our intentions and an opportunity to participate in our future actions. I am concerned, as you are, about the potential consequences, should the people on Japtan decide to ignore our advice about Runit or Engebi or Aomon. But that is our problem, not theirs: And we can't in good conscience solve it by denying them their rights when for a price which can be expressed in dollars - or inconvenience - or even bad press - we can soive it at our expense rather than theirs. I want them back on Japtan - tomorrow, if that were possible - and I strongly believe that if we were to take the initiative in making that happen, we would have done more for our Jasting relationship with the Enewetak people than any other action I] can now contemplate. What are the risks? They are definable and measurable. If people go to Japtan tomorrow, they must be persuaded to stay away from Runit and the northern islands. Oscar DeBrum says he can give us an assurance of that. I believe him, but if someone else doesn't, I submit that for a fraction of the cleanup cost we can police such a restriction a hell of a lot more effectively than we police some of our other worries. If the people of Enewetak ask us if Japtan is safe for human habitation, I think they deserve an honest answer now. Had I the au- thority, I would do everything in my power to enccurage that move. But Tet me turn to a not very pleasant alternative: It takes a not very sophisticated reader (if we don't give an honest or timely answer) to decide for himself, from the survey report, that Japtan is indeed safe. Then suppose that the people, without asking, simply return to Japtan. Now, where are we? I needn't pursue that further, and I choose not to because of my belief that if we take this line of reasoning, we can at best make the right decision for the wrong reason. Finally, a word about Engebi. I do not pretend any wisdom here either. But I would hope that, whatever we say about that island we Say in a very positive sense. The most positive things we can