b. Unconditionally agree to payment as requested in the bill (1) Pros: (a) Unconditional agreement would place AEC in most favorable light from public relation standpoint. (2) Cons; (a) Unconditional agreement will eliminate any chance of obtaining alteration of bill in next session of Micronesian Congress to meet AEC objections. (b) Such action may éncourage Micronesian Congress to make further demands without recognition of the need for negotiation with AEC or other U. (c) S. government agencies. Legal authority for this is questionable unless the funding is designated to be for research purposes. (d)} Cost is difficult to project with broad definition of controls in bill as passed. ¢. Proposal of provisional agreement under which costs would be shared with Department of Interior pending acceptable revision of bill in next session of Micronesian Congress and then fully assumed by AEC. (1) Pros: (a) Potential unfavorable reaction may be mitigated by declaration of earnest implicit in willingness to assume part and then all of cost, (b) Need to negotiate with AEC or any other agency of U. S. Government rather than. legislate demands will be conveyed to Micronesian Congress, (c) Opportunity to rectify objectionable features in bill would be gained, (4) . Me Information about interim medical events in support of Brookhaven study will be acquired, (2) Cons; (a) \ Micronesian Congress may react unfavorably to less than complete immediate assumption of payments by AEC, thus resulting in adverse publicity despite positive action. ~6- 2008511