privacy ACT a MATERIAL TERIAL REMOVE REMOVED -ll- Kwajalein, May 29 (AP). The 2 Rongelap natives showered by radioactive ash from the March 1 hydrogen bomb explosion call themselves "the poisoned people." __ » 30-year-old leader of the Rongelep people said the radioactive ash rained down on his people for 24 hours. salt," he said in an interview. feel it strike your skin. "It came down like a light rain. It burned when it touched.” of Utirik who thought a war had started had taken place. "It looked like You could Unlike the people said his people knew what He explained "I have ssen (explosions) many times before." The March 1 explosion he said was the biggest he hed ever witnessed. to describe what he saw ne said through a native interpreter: "First saw light then the smoke. Smoke went up up and right through clouds. heard and felt blast. Wind so strong some people feli dcwn. doors." . TI talked to Asked Later It benged ind other Rongelap natives in the Mess Hall they are using here on Kwajalein until they are taken to Ejit in the Majuro Atoll. safe. They will remain at Ejit for 1 year until their home Atoll is The [Atomic Energy Commission/ Joint Task Force is building a com- pletely new village for them at Ejit. people. The Marshallese are very friendly When I arrived at the Mess Hall everyone there -- from pre-school ege children to old women -- came over and shook hands. Sitting across the table from me was 12-year-old giggled and talked throughout the interview. movie fans of boxing. The Marshallese people are said her favorite actor was Joe Louis. I like fight." their favorites. of movies: who "He knows lot Hillbilly and Hawaiian music, they said, were Western movies also are tops with them. "Like boom boom berrer kiss kiss.” One old timer said In talking to the Rongelap people ycu could not help but feel a certain amount of sadness among them. (nore) PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED