+r cOPyY A Resolution Requesting the Administering Authority to make it possible for the people of Rongerik Atoll to return to their home, and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the U.S. Navy and the Atomic Eneraqv Commission removed the people of Bikini from their island to Rongerik Atoll in 1948 so that Bikini could be used to test nuclear devices, although the owners of Rongerik were neither consulted nor compensated for such use; and, WHEREAS, the atoll was severely damaged by radioactive fall-out in 1954, and by the people of Bikini who were forced to cut down the coconut trees for food, such damage being directly caused by the AEC's use of the Marshall Islands for nuclear testing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Marshall Islands Nitijela in its 17th Regular Session that the Administering Authority and its Atomic Energy Commission be and are hereby informed that the owners and workers of Ronoerik Atoll, represented by Iroij Albert Leeak, want to return to Rongerik and are ready to do so when they are assure by the AEC that the atoll is no longer radioactive and when they can support themselves on the atoll; and t BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administering Authority is hereby requested to make funds available so that the atoll can be replanted with coconut trees and re-settled by the Marshallese people; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be sent to the District Administrator, Marshalls, the High Commissioner of Certified: May 13, 1970 Aari eeae Se Ree A AeCE, Trust Territory and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. the