UNCLASSIFIED TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER P, 0. BOX 542 AGANA, GUAM, M, I. . Serial 1723 May 9, 1955 Mr. K. D, Nichols General Manager U, S. Atomic Energy Commission Washington 25, D, C. Dear Mr, Nichols: The information about the present condition of Rongelap Atoll contained in your dispatch 2716132 and your letter dated April 26, 1955 (BM:JCB) was, in general, most welcome, It is gratifying to know that the level of radioactive contamination has fallen to @ point in the southern islands of the Atoll where the return of the inhabitants can now be permitted. Nevertheless we are naturally concerned about the exclusion of the more northern islands from the safe occupancy area and about the Gengerous residual contamination in the mollusks and crustaceers even in the southern half of the Atoll. Although the Rongelarpese have been alerted to the dangers of radioactivity, we anticipate something less than 100% cooperation in the avoidance of these @reas and focds were the people to return home, The northern islands, wnile small, are economically not unimportant in their life and will almost certainly be visited to some extent despite che ban. Moreover, clams and crabs form traditionally a part of their normal diet; it would be unrealistic to suppose that these would be avoided by all at all times, particularly since their consumption would heve no obvious and immediate bad effects, There simply is no practical way to police the people if they were to return home; even the taboo has all but lost its force in the Marshalls. In view of these facts the Trust Territory is most reluctant to encourage the return of the people to their Atoll at tnis time. Furthermore, both the staff at Headquarters and in the Mershalls, with whom I have discussed the matter, feel it would be 2 serious error in judgment to allow the Rongelapese to express their Wishes on the question. Im brief, we have reached the decision that the Trust Territory should not permit the Rongelap people to return to an area of known radioactive danger and thus place itself in the position of being morally responsible for any violation of the rules of safe conduct which would be necessary for the present. We sugsest, therefore, that the Rongelapese be kept on Ejit for at least another six months in the hope that at the end of ~ 5 - c wae oT 3 His. 2 7 uc RPCAWVES G