4oO17 G4
United States Department of tl.. Interior
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
JU a9 1974
Mr. Kunar Abner
Minister of Public Works
Marshall Islands Nitijela
Post Office Box 24
Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960
Dear Mr. Abner:
This is in reference to your letter of July 19, 1979, requesting that
the people of Ailuk and Mejit be included in the medical survey which
1s being considered for the people of Likiep Atoll.
I well appreciate your concern for the people of Ailuk and Mejit.
My Office has been in correspondence with the President of the Marshaj]
Islands on the proposed medical survey of Likiep Atoll since the
Department of the Interior is serving as the focal point for all the
Federal agencies involved in this matter. Similarly, we believe that
there should be one central official point of contact in the Marshall
Islands Government. Orderly planning and executbn of any future survey
make this essential. We have conceived this officia] point of contact
in the Marshalls to be the immediate office of the President.
Accordingly, on behalf of the Federal agencies concerned, I am calling
your request to the attention of President Kabua and have asked for his
official] comments.
Sincerely yours,
RUTH G VAN Cleve
Mrs. Ruth G. Van Cleve
Director
Office of Territorial Affairs
cc: \Dr. Bruce Wachholz, DOE
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