Tucsday, September 13, 1983
The radiation question is a
difficult one, even for scientists
who have been working with it
for many years. Many dedicated US setentists have been
involved in an extensive effort
now
the
way
in
Pacific Isiands Trust Territory,
does not have adequate capacity to do this; and that it is
of this question.
performed with honesty, and
goverment
living in crowded dismal con-
ble level of competence. Nevertheless, it 15
always possible
care i# made available. Moreover, a Marshalls government-
It would appear that they have
in Most cases -- particularly in
recent years - with a reasona-
to identify areas where more
atlention
shouid
have
been
focused.
Two such ayeas
which have become critically
Important are (1) the education
of the Marshallese on the
nature of radiation and its
human and environmental ef-
feet and (11) pissuii, adequate
medical care and compensation
an .
doe.
ave
+
etoeee ve te eee eae teee
and
which the new political arran-
nation.
ity comtaminating many of the
for victims of the atomic bomb
test. Related to the first area
the recent US Department of
Energy (DOE) books on the
radioactive
Enewetok,
contamination
Bikini,
and
of
the
northern atolls have been almost totally ineffective, and in
some instances, counterproduc-
tive in explaining the nature of
radiation and the effects of the
. tesidual radioactive contamination on human health. These
books have been
even
ineffective
though written in Mar-
shallese and Engtish and clearly
aimed at a lay audience. Most
Marshallese simply cannot understand the text. Moreover,
the presentation of the results
tn terms of the average risk of
dying of cancer -- perhaps
presented this way in an effort
to simplify the issue -- tends to
mask the variability of the data
and its uncertainties, making
the results misleading.
el. ee
care {the Jack of health care
facilities is obvious even to the
casual observer); thal all of the
Bram
gements are evolving,
While
the US would clearly lke to
resolve and be free with the
categoized as ‘“expased’’ or
“unexposed’’; that the new
ishands tn the northern atolls.
ce tet othe |b Side eee ete
we spoke felt thal the Marshall
Islands has serious, unique
heaith probtems und inadequate
heeds which was ihe driving
force behind the testing pre-
its current mililary requireMents are having mayor impact
treat the effects of radiation
exposure of Marshallese and to
monitor the residual radioactiv-
whew
Nearly everyone with whom
With regard to
the second
area, the US medical surveillance program conducted by
Brookhaven National Laboratory under DOE contract is a
narrowly focused research effort to identify the late effects
of radiation in the most heavity
exposed Marshallese people.
The treatment by the US of
radiation induced health effects and compensation for
these effects have been largely
but not totally limited to those
effects which have been clearly
identified by the surveillance
program
as
being
radiation
people should be given compof whether they have been
Marshall Islands Government
the responsibility of the US
not just
to give
funding, but to ensure by all
reasonable
means
that
such
endored independent medical
Survey might be helpful in
moving more decisively in this
direction.
There is widespread distrust
by Marshallese of US scientists
involved in radtation monitoring
and
health
Programs.
suryedlance
Asouitg the hia
-shallese who are participants
in the Brookhaven surveillance
pro
Some have even said,
‘the Marshallese are geing used
as ‘guinea pigs’ ", ‘and that the
fallout from the 1954 Bravo
test was not an accident.”
Unfortunately the scientists
working
today are forced to
carry the baggage of mistakes
and changes in policy accumulated over the past 37 years.
We
heard
ulterior
motives
attributed to the DOE’s educalions efforts regarding residuat
radiation. Some charge that
Scientists are giving conflicting
messages. These are strong,
Perhaps even paranoid statements. But though they may
be diffireult to
accept they
miust be seen for their signifi
cance
in
the
cynicism and
frustration which they reflect.
The problem of the primary
contaminated atolls, Bikini and
Enewetok, 15 deeply troubling
A serious cleanup attempt is
beng made at Enewetok, at a
repotted expenditure of $218
million.
[n the light of the
ment,
is
drastic measures and unusual
lifestyle required for resettleit
not yet clear if
many of the peopte will choose
te return. Bikini poses a more
difficult case than Enewetok,
and thus far the US GovemMent has taken the position
that cleanup would be too
expensive. It would seem thal
a profound moral and legal
question is posed here for the
global community. Who is to
decide
upon
such
weighty
induced, mainly, thyroid abnormalities among those most
heavily exposed to the fallout
from the Bravo test. Health
restoration? While even avery
imperfect cleanup at Bikini
could cost several hundred
in the Marshallese population
Government is spending much
effects that have not been
statistically linked to radiation
under study are generally not
treated -- exceptions have been
matters
of
land
abuse
and
miliion dollars, some Marshal)ese pointed out that the US
more that that amount on just
a few weapons such as the MX
upon the palitical, economic
and social status ai the new
KOJJ ELLA
It is af the Kwajalein Atoll
The Kwaja-
ditions on 27 Ha. (67 acres)
Ebeye Island, are seeking, thus
far unsuccessfully, to altain a
Measure of restoration to their
land, which is being used as
part of the missile testing
range.
The determination of
the Kwayalein people working
through an organization known
as the Kwajalein Atoll Corporation, is a remarkable story in
itself,
‘The Re gale people
will without aochl pp
yobey
role in this continuing debate.
Kojjella non ro ewor acer maron ton Nerak Weto
ily Arno Island, Arno Atoll, bwe ki ij wia hake
maron koan Froj, Afub, im Dri Jerbal,
Jabdrewul eo ¢j lonvaak in jumac wia kake in ao,
en jouj im wonmanlok im file an complaint ilo
Court im jilkintok copy in complaint in non: Box
2112,
Majuro,
Neilan Biti.
Islands.
Marsiall
5.95
“The
Lawyers”
Dn kojella,
THE
FIRST BOOK
Written, Typeset, Printed
Allin the Marshall [jands
IV. “The Lawyers”
Lawyers and the litigation to
pursue health damage and land
claims have become a significant, often troubiing political
factor.
compelling
stories of the
Marshall
Isfands
‘This, too, is iS a con-
Sequence of the weapons testing program. Are the people
being exploited in new ways
through the lawyers, even as
yo.
they deal with older injustices?
Is there an unfortuante “pull”
towards money solutions, or
compensation,
rather
than
, a |
long-term restoration of the
basic relationship between the
people and their land and
culture?
Perhaps, but the
lawyers
apparently
huve
brought these greatly disadvanlaged peupie a new means
of much-needed power, and it
would be most unwise to
jeopardise this by attacking
their sensitive lawyer-client relationship.
om
TheChurch
i
-
~~
A B
in the
Marshalls
V. The Church in the Marshalls
The Church in the Marshall
Islands has played and will
apparently continue to play a
nurturing and comforting rote
rather than one of advocacy.
In this fragmented society the
church is a relatively strong,
Self-reliant
indigenous institu-
tion where people can come
together
division.
where
in
spite of their
In
communities
virtually
all
persons
SE,
Available at
Seven devrees
Hotel Adjink
Marshatls Handicraft
Pinal
eee
oe
.
Alele Vaaecum
&
Micronitor
P.O, Box 14, Mauro 96960
(add $1.50 for airmail postage)
+
=
ILO JARBO, ARNO ROBELLOK
RUO WETO
NON WIARAKE:
RONG WETO
URORBURKOT WETO
ELANE EWOR AM AARON ION [POREEN, JOU
IM LOTOR OFFICE BEO.AN RRE_
where we see Lhe embodiment
lein peopie, most of them now
Palo Vite # A Saathe
KOQJELLA
of the many tragic eflects of
the arms race. It was the US
rehensive health care regardless
over many years to assess and
sate
Perception of its own securily
PRaporiors dinpartte rs
Mi Nan Vetere toad Suite ate
mq
testing program.
People who qualify for it are
appropnately defined
SEA-AIR
EXPORTS, INC.
7
reality, these anxieties and
fears are painfully real, and
they are a consequence of the
Kwajalein
Atoll
been categori.ed as “‘unexposed cantrols” should be so
categonzed; and whether the
level of compensation and the
at
POOR CALIFORNIA CONNECTION
PLUMBING * HARUWARE * GENERAL MERCHANDISE
IN, US Securtly Needs and
Kwajalein Atoll
Al a most basic level, this
situation must be sev as one
surveillance program who have
ha not come forward from the
batter
poisoning, unusual pjant disease, the demise of the highly
valued arrowrout plant (a tradtional staple), seem invartably
lo be allmbuted to radiation,
even though this is contrary to
scienlific evidence.
Myth or
Marshalls on these conce ms,
many
church
people Lave
spoken oul, aud we must [. ust
Continued pave &
the local government councils
nee al
Cases of fish
Needs and
clear, official church statement
are church People, it as the
custom bo speak on poelitrcat
and economie matters through
civic channels.
vs tone
2 od
“The Bomb".
US Security
where virtually all members of
«
:
Physical debility, a birth anomaly or other abnormality, the
people tend to beheve that
such had not occured before
articulate young man asked,
“Why can the US do whatever
chooses?
|
From page 6
Pape 7
MARSHALL ISLANDS JOURNAL Volun 1 14, Number 73
belang tu the chureh, and
While we hase regretted Go ata
missiles, naw being lested at
Kwajalein, At gne meeting an
Laren
Radiation
and
Relation
Questions
made but generally these have
not been
in accord with
Brookhaven’s contract
with
DOF -- and the victims are nol
compensated. In effect, the
burden of proof fies not with
the US te demonstrale the
disease is not radiation induced, but with the victam to
demonstrate that it was.
The US Gevernment - and
perhaps the tiited Nations -should consider whether the
medical survetltance program
should be so narrowly defined;
whether the people in the