_ REPOSITORY poe / (ASO Q COLLECTION dD ‘ | AV E/ ACRES ! en® pteay sllepg He 3 JAA, ERDA rotper —-2/ thru NSR/idh t2/ 12oF_ 12-5-66 Honorable William R. Norwood High Commissioner Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Saipan, Mariana Islands Dear Mr. Norwood: I am sorry I was out of the office when you telephoned during your recent visit in Honolulu. I was looking forward to meeting you and discussing topics of mutual interest. Mr. Blankenship and Mr. Rasmussen informed me you may return in February and perhaps have an opportunity to come into our office for a visit at that time. I will be looking forward to the pleasere of meeting with you. I was also informed there was some urgency in resolving the question of reinhabitation of Bikini since you are faced with the necessity of relocating the people presently on the Island of Kili. We have made inquiries through various AEC and DOD channels and have received some responses. Although be02Sas our information has not been conclusive, the reports from the AEC do not indicate the prospects of reoccupation of Bikini in the near future would be practical. We have been informed that the most recent data for Bikini Atoll were obtained in August, 1964. A 350 page report, much of which is perti- nent to discussions regarding the repopulation of Bikini Atoll, is in reproduction and will be completed next month. We may be able to obtain more information from that report. As to the possibility of the DOD releasing control of the Atoll, we are not in a position to act for that Agency. However, we will inform you of any additional information we may be able to obtain.