RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1969 JANUARY Ujelang: USDA feeding pro- gram for Ujelang is authorized to begin with shipment from Saipan on January 16. JANUARY Kwajalein: The Congress of Micronesia again "supports the grievances of the Mid~Corridor and supports their efforts to return to their islands."" The COM votes to send a re- “removal of all test related debris with disposal at sea of all radioactive debris." The three dump sites are located less than one mile from islands in the atoll. OCTOBER Bikini: The cleanup phase is finished. The phase two rehabilitation encounters serious problems with the presentative to accompany the people if they attempt to return in defiance of the lease agreement. withdrawal of military personnel and APRIL 21 Kwajalein: Mid-Corridor resi- Bikini: Following the limited radiological cleanup, Bikini is declared safe for reoccupation. The AEC states: “There’s virtually no radiation left and we can find no discernible effect on either plant or animal life." dents living on Ebeye issue an ultimatum to the High Commissioner demanding that the U.S. compensate all the people and allow them access to their islands for food growing, or they will return to their islands without permission. The Army and Trust Territory govern- ment believe the Marshallese are bluffing and ignore the warning. Kwajalein: Of 669 Mid-Corridor landown- ers who had voted to return, 31 protest with a sail-in to their islands, report- edly forcing cancellation of two missile test operations. Kwajalein: Promising action to negotiate their demands, the Trust Territory returns the 31 Mid-Corridor people to Ebeye, after six days of illegal occupying their islands. AUGUST 19 Ujelang: Protests of the Ene- wetak people stimulate the U.S. Congress to provide a trust fund of $1.02 million to try to stop their efforts to retum to Enewetak. Bikini: The Bikini cleanup and resettlement is planned to extend over a period of eight years to allow for maturation of coconuts and other crops. The Atomic Energy Commission and Defense De- partment plan the first phase: cleanup of radioactive debris on Bikini. The Trust Territory government assumes re- sponsibility for the second phase: re- planting the atoll, constructing houses and relocating the community. equipment and the end of weekly air service to Kwajalein. "I was disturbed by the 'demand' of the immediate commitment of all agencies, al] funding and all personnel by January 21. I am sure you must realize that such a time~ table is unrealistic...I am as much concerned as anyone, but I am not going to be stampeded or panicked by a January 2] deadline or strike threat..." High Commissioner Norwood's response to proposal for action on the Ujelang crisis, 1969. 1870 FEBRUARY Ujelang: Ujelang repre- sentatives have a series of meetings with Trust Territory officials in Saipan to work out agreements on requests for Ujelang. The people are assured funds for permanent housing if it is determined within the next five years that a return tc Enewetak is not pos- sible. MARCH Kwajalein: Untreated sewage is piped directly into the lagoon near Ebeye. A Trust Territory health report states: "...The shoreline water is grossly polluted; most of the san- ple points being over one million times the least acceptable standard set by Guan. 8 Bikini: The radiation cleanup includes (continued on page 23)