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