— | | _ 4030S J IANA ISLANDS 95o00 “MICRONESIAN NEWS SERVICE/SAIPAN, MAR January 22, 1969 BIXINI CLEAN-UP TO START SOON Saipan (MNS)--U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and Department umped into action to get the Bikini renabilitetion 4 moving as quickly as possible. Col. John Schott of the AEC an cigateman survey team to begin clearing the Eneu Island cirstrip on Bikiai Atoll. Unfortunately, the Trust Territory ships in the Yt Marshalls are now tied up with tyrhoon relief efforts. Other possible means of transportation are being explored. According to Deputy High Cormissioner Martin P. Mangan, the “7 - Atomic Eners wey y Commissioner has several hundred trousaad dollars woich must be spent before the end of fiscal year 1969 or before July 1, 1969. The total of AEC and Defense Department funds available at this time is understood to be in the vicinity of 9600,CG0, The cost of cleaning out the dangerous structures, debris and radioactive iron is estimated by the AEC's contractor, Homes and Narver, to be $1,200,000. will cost about $3,200,000. The entire return to Bikini Former President Johnson requested $1.7 million in his budget message last week, but the fact that. other money is now available will mean 3ikini rehabilitation can start at least six moaths earlier than previously planned. One a AILAB BEST COPY AV LE visited Saipan Tuesday, January 21, to arrange transportation for of the first jobs to be done oa Bikini is to clecr 400 feet of the Eneu airstrip so that short-takeoff-and~landing “-more= a :