AOL 7b MuokA hh H 8 eH 8 MR mh 3G% Seuradabs machi, Nagasaki 859 RADIATION EFFECTS RESEARCH FOUNDATION 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Hiroshima 730 Telephone 23 1121 . . . A Cooperative Japan ~ United States Research Organization Telephone 61-3131 Rose te WAAL los G8 Box dk fel FOR Gd aie s IH RR 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. mg th