Attachment B
MAR 2.7 ic%!
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Mr. B1lly Lee Hart
Territorial and International Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washinaton, D.C.
20240
Dear Mr. Hart:
It {s necessary for me to bring to your attention a matter of mutual concern
which fs becoming increasingly significant, namely, medical costs associated
with non-radiation related medical conditions among the Rongelap and Utirik
people. This has been the subject of several discussfons between our Departments, including a meeting on November 23, 1980, attended by the former
Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Environment and the former De-
partment of the Interior Acting Assistant Secretary for International and
Territorial Affairs.
It 4s my understanding that the Department of the Interior (DOI), through
the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTP1), fs
responsible for the general health care of the peoples of these {fslands, and
that such health care 1s provided to them directly or indirectly through
various governmental authorities.
With regard to this matter, Congressman
Phillip Burton, fn commenting upon Public Law 96-205, stated, "At the present
time general health care {fs provided in Micronesia through the Department of
the Interior.”
Supplemental to the above responsibilities, the Department of the Interior,
together with the High Commissfoner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Istands and the people of Bikini, signed an agreement on August 16, 1978, in
which the Department of the Interfor stated that the medical needs of the
people removed from Bikini Island during that month would be met, and that
the Department of the Interfor would call upon the Department of Energy for
assistance. With reoard to this specific matter, your office has authorized
the High Commissioner to provide for medical expenses assocfated with
diseases or fllnesses among the Bikini people which might be detected by
Department of Energy contractor physicians.
Similar identification of resources by your office for non-radiation related
fInesses and diseases among the peoples of Rongelap and Utirik has not been
made, however. This {s becoming a significant issue with fncreasing
frequency for several reasons.
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DOE F 1325.10
{?-78)
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