OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 Magistrate Tomaki Juda JUN a lots Kili-Bikini Council Kili, Marshall Islands 96960 Dear Magistrate Juda: Zam enclosing for your information a oopy of the official letter sent by Under Secretary James A. Joseph to High Commissioner Winkel on the Eneu situation. I regret that the Under Secretary's absence from Washington precluded his signing this letter in time for it to reach you for the eating in Honolulu last week. I did relay to tha High Commissioner informally the gist of the Under Secretary's letter and I am sure that he communicated the decision to you and others in the Bikini delegation. All of us here deeply regret that Eneu Island cannot be used for residence for at least another 20-25 years since we understand the deap feelings of the people of nikini and their hopes. that oven though Bikini {Island is not useable now, Fneu Island possibly might have been. This is not now possible. We must turn now to the very immediate and pressing problem of where resettlement can be arranged for the people of Bikini. I assure you that here in Interior this matter has the highest priority. We shall, in cooperation with the Nigh Comissioner, the Governnent of the Marshalls, and the people of Nikini and their legal counsel, press forward on all fronts to seek a satisfactory solution. Please relay my warm regards to the people of Bikini. The welcome that they extended to Under Secretary Joseph, to Deputy Under Secretary Wallace Green and to me when we visited Bikini and Kili last August is one none of ws will ever forget. .Sincerely yours, RUTH G. VAN CLEVE Mra. Ruth G. Van Cleve Director Office of Territorial Affairs wincilosure