the radiological conditions of the atolls on and around the test sites, as well as the people who were fallout victims. In addition, our commitments to insure the safe return of the Bikinians and the people of Enewetak make it imperative that they and their environment be attended to with the best testing equipment available. It appears that none of the involved Departments has budgeted adequately for this needed and highly warranted effort in order to. meet our statutory and moral commitments to the people of this area. This has become increasingly clear through staff level dialogs as ? well as the recent unsuccessful effort to perform the best possible survey on Bikini. ‘ i To better assess the problems and to determine exactly what remains to be done and who is responsible for funding and executing all or various segments of future radiological surveys and monitoring, I feel that an interagency meeting is essential. I therefore propose that key personnel from each Department meet at Interior on June 25, at 2:00 PM, whereupon ERDA can set forth its proposed program along with support requirements. If agreement on budgeting and support commitments cannot be reached, we will at least be in a position to present the problem to the Office of Management and Budget and seek further instructions. am asking that this meeting be coordinated by the Director of Territorial Affairs. Brown at 343-4736. I Staff contact can be made through Mr. Harry JU. We believe that the United States commitment under the Trusteeship Agreement requires a strong reaffirmation by all concerned agencies, to work together in carrying out a comprehensive program, not only for Bikini or Enewetak, but all other involved areas in the Trust Territory which were touched by the 10-year testing program. : Sincerely yours, . Assistant Secretary of the Interior © wade Ron. Robert C. Seamans, Jr. ° Administrator Energy Research and Development ’ Administration Washington, D.C. 20545 Enclosure wei ‘NOTE: —_- a SIMILAR LETTER SENT TO SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES R- SCHLESINGER. ——e