UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
COMMERCIAL
OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
CABLE ADDRESS
SAIPAN, MARIANA ISLANDS
8 ee
HICOTT SAIPAN
August 27, 1969
Mr. William A. Bonnet
Manager, Atomic Energy Commission
Honolulu Area Office
P. 0. Box 580
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809
Dear Mr. Bonnet:
Please excuse the delay in responding to your letter of August 1,
1969, but a couple of matters have come up which necessitated
the delay.
It appears that the Department of Defense still has legal
possession and control of Bikini Island and until the island
is returned to the Trust Territory, we would not have the legal
right to lease it to the Atomic Energy Commission.
We under~
stand that the matter of the return of Bikini is under serious
discussion at the present time. Perhaps you are more familiar
with this aspect than we are.
A short time ago, the High Commissioner and others met with some
of the leaders of the people on Bikini and the lease to the
Atomic Energy Commission was brought up.
The request by the
leaders was for $100 per month rent and Mr. Law, District
Administrator of the Marshall Islands District, is now working
on this aspect of the lease with the people to attempt to have
it consistent with the other Atomic Energy Commission leases.
Incidentally, during a recent trip to the Marshalls, I made
another inquiry as to the progress on the Utirik lease and I
still cannot determine if the lease as prepared is acceptable
or not. Mr. Law indicated he would follow up on this for us.
As soon as we hear further on these matters, we will let you
know.
7obi
Sincerely yours,
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Robert A’af
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