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RADIATION EFFECTS RESEARCH FOUNDATION
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Crble Address: ABCCOM Hiroshima, Japan
November 22, 1976
Dr. Robert A. Conard
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Associated Universities, Inc.
Upton, L.I., New York 11973
U.S.A.
Dear Bob:
The reception which I received at the Red Cross Hospital in
Nagasaki to your ideas was not encouraging.
In fact, the initial
optimism which Dr. Kawamoto expressed in his memo concerning their
probable participation in your examinations in March and April was
not at all apparent from our discussions.
I shall try to recapitulate our meeting.
The oldest member of the trio who was concerned with the
Marshallese is Dr. Shikaya.
I spent only a few minutes with hin,
since he was anxious to catch a train.
Dr. Kawamoto, the RERF interpreter,and I then met with Dr, Tsuno, who spent several years
at ABCC and is a younger member of the three.
Dr. Tsuno said that
the situation in the Marshall Islands had become very political,
according to his conversations with the two individuals who came
there for examination, and his impressions after having talked with
one of the Marshall Island assemblyman who accompanied the two from
the Islands.
Dr. Tsuno said that the two patients complained that
they had been subjected to examinations and tests in the past, but
rarely were told anything about their problems.
I stated that they
sometimes were given medication, but they did not know what it was
for.
The politician told him that the Marshallese had lost confidence in the American medical program.
He also said that he did
not feel that the Marshallese would have much confidence in Japanese
examinations, if they were done in conjunction with an American
program,
I then asked Dr. Tsuno how he would feel about being
sponsored to go to the Marshall Islands for examinations in the
form of a separate and independent mission.
He then told me that he
felt that if the trip was sponsored by the U.S. that the Marshallese
would be very suspicious and the results would be the same.
Dr. Tsuno
went on to say that the situation had become very political and that
doctors were reluctant to become involved in these political situations.
I then told him that sometimes we had to make a stand in these
matters which involved the truth, in order to see that constructive and
worthwhile programs are continued,
He agreed, but was unwilling to go
any further.
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