. \ OrFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS May 1, 1972 SAIPAN, MARIANA us o Return, IR eh EO He High Commissioner Edward E, Johnston and U.S. Ambassador Franklin Haydn Williams have issued a joint announcement indicating that the United States Government is prepared to return Eniwetok atoll to the _Trust Territory at the end of 1973. Eniwetok atoll is one of the areas of the Marshall tslands District where the United States has been involved in defense research and development projects since 1946, The peopie of the atoll were relocated to other istands-in had recently announced their the Marshalls, and intention to return to their home island. Ly the end of this year. . : In their statement High Commissioner Johnston and Ambassador Williams said that future Micrcnesian land needs of the Department of Defense wereset forth in the third round of status negotiations which tock place in Hawaii last year. “There Ambassador Williams stated that in regard to... security related land requirements in the Marshalls, the need for research and development activities at Kwajalein would not disappear in the forseeable future.” The statement added, however, that Ambassador Williams further noted that “it may someday ‘become possible to consolidate our testing activities in the The announcement said that “the status of Eniwetok has been under study by the various departments and agencies in the United States government ever since the, possiblility of returning Bikini Atoll was first considered. Over the years, the Department of Defense has been . Striving to ‘bring its work on Eniwetok to a close. (Now) During “Promotion Ceremonies” held April 21 at the TT school of Nursing, Mrs. Coleman, veife of the Deputy High Commissioner, pins a cap on Miss Theodora Joseph (Truk], Fifteen girls received caps during the cercmonies. Mrs. Kieko Sigrah of the nursing school staff watches at left. ‘Ure Eniwetok.”’ ° High Commissioner Johnston telephoned Marshalls District Administrator Oscar DeBrum late Tuesday . (April 18) to announce the return of the atoll, and indicated that the U.S, government and the Trust Territory administration will begin immediately to work with the people of Eniwetok on a timetable and other plans for a rehabilitation prograra. In this regard, the HiCom noted that Deputy High Commissioner Peter T. Coleman was to accompany Ambassador Williams on his trip through the eastern districts, ending in Majuro where he had scheduled meetings with Eniwetokese at the district center. Coleman also planned to overfly the Eniwetok complex on his way to an inspection of Bikini atoll, where the agricultural rehabilitation of that former atomic testing site is now being closed out. The HiCom said that at some future date the leaders of Eniwetok will be invited to Bikini to observe. the rehabilitation progrdém there in action. He said further that the people of Eniwetok will be consulted at every step along the way in the rehabilitation program DistAd DeBrumsaid that he was deeply grateful to the High Commissioner and Ambassador Williams for their long andhard efforts to expedite the return of the atall to the people. He said he looked forward to the meetings with Deputy HiCom Coleman and to beginning the planning for the reversion of Eniwetok to the Trust (continued on page 2) Eleven male nursing students received badges during the “Promotion Ceremonies.” Shown in the picture is Mrs. Coleman pinning a badge on Celeb Caleb (Marshalls), This particular ceremony makes these students full-fledged member of the TT Nursing School. tee ooRe pre ea Sen fen 4 ee uP a a) - er ie fe ae 7a NI Vi ml . ey= {1 rary & eis ; “4 Se ye ¢ Ie| oe \ ~ e Eniwetok the United States government has in fact been able tostructure its research plans and programs in such a way to permit an early return of the atoll to the people of mm Perera ee een xv} —, Pacific and concurrently rcduce our fand interests in the Marshalls.” ISLANOS ~ © ij } “\X i : / a” re . 776 ae : oT We Xo - : ae . “fF ‘“e oe — ew ~e \ - . ] avid ~ | ae ny 3 Fj mf . . - ty ~ ‘“ “ } 3 '