Dr. Robert A. Conard 2 Novenober 22, 1976 The next subject which arose in our conversations was that of issuing some type of statement that might be reassuring to the Marshallese. I told him thet you are in the process of contacting Dr. Kumatori, who you hope would be willing to issue a staterent along the lines for that which you recited to me. Dr. Tsuno was interested in finding out whether Dr. Kumatori was actually going to do this. I told him that I was uncertain about his decision, but that Dr. Tsuno should feel free to communicate with Dr. Kumatori about this matter. Dr. Tsuno then indicated that he and the other doctors would be very reluctant to write any reassuring statements of the type which I had suggested. He said that he felt that anything they said would be misinterpreted, especially by groups in Japan who were interested in the welfare of the individuals in the Marshall Islands. Again, he emphasized the strong political nature of the whole problem and his reluctance to become involved. After our meeting at the Red Cross Hospital, I had some edditional discussions with Dr. Kawamoto concerning the entire problem. He said that it appeared that the doctors had had an opportunity to talk amongst themselves after his visit with them and that they had subsequently become very wary of the circumstances. He also told ne that Dr. Tsuno was one of the younger member of the team and was therefore reluctant to make any commitments, but he also felt that Dr. Tsuno had expressed the sentiments of the group. Dr. Kawamoto aiso told nme that Dr. Tsuno discussed one other subject which was not translated to me. That concerned the strong anti-American sentiment which was developing in the Marshall Islands, mostly through the efforts of some very liberal politicians. I suspect that the man who came to Nagesaki with the two Red Cross Hospital patients was a member of that political group. It was quite clear from our discussions that a) doctors at the Nagasaki Red Cross Hospital had changed their mind and none of thea would be willing to go with you in March and April of 1977, b) none of the members of the team would be willing to go under U.S. sponsorship even for medical examinations and consultations independent of your trip in the spring, and c) they are not willing to make any public statements concerning the improbability of further late radiation effects in the Marshallese. This turn of events does not surprise me in view of the posture that the Red Cross and A-Bomb Hospitals have maintained over the years. I don't know what is going on behind the scenes, but I was impressed by the fact that Dr. Shikaya was unable to stay for the discussions and the apologies that were given to me for not having had a meeting with the director of the Hospital who was absent. The relationships with the Red Cross Hospital in Nagasaki always have been much closer than they haéve been in Hiroshima, but these hospitals are very anxious to maintain their independence and to stay in the good graces of all of the A-Bomb groups which are of many political persuasions. ee