UNCLASSIFIED

UNITED STATES
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON 25, D, C.
June 6, 1955
Honorable Delmas H. Nucker

Deputy High Commissioner
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

P. 0, Box 542
Agana, Guam, M. I.

Thru: Director, Insular Affairs Division
Office of Territories
Department of the Interior
Washington 25, D. C,.
Dear Mr. Nucker:
This is written in reply to your letter of May 9,

1955,

in

which you recommend that the Rongelapese be kept at Ejit for at
least another six months in the hope that at the end of this

period

the

rédioactivity in the

shellfish and

crabs which con-

stitute such an improtant part of the Rongelapese diet may have
cecreased to @ level which makes these foods safe for consumption.
The results of the most recent radiological survey will be
fully evaluated in the very near future, in order to ascertain
how firm our preliminary estimates are.
In any event, we will
conduct a resurvey early in the fall of this year, following
which we hope to be able to give you a clearer idea of precisely
when it would be safe to return these people to their home atoll
with a minimum of restrictions on their activities,
As to the matter of the $1300 2a month for support of the
people so long as they remain at Ejit, I have requested that
JTF-7 continue to provide these funds,
‘Sincerely yours,

Tl ans
-

of

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