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4

AOET AS

OUTLINE FOR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTR. - LON
AND
THE TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
REGARDING MEDICAL CARE OF THE RONGELAP AND UTIRIK PEOPLE

The United States Energy Research and Development Administration
(ERDA),

formerly AEC,

has for more than 20 years conducted a program

of medical surveillance of the people of Rongelap and Utirik that
were exposed to fallout from a weapons test in 1954.
In the course
of this activity, and with the knowledge and consent of the Trust
Territory of the Pacific (TTPI), the ERDA medical teams have
provided limited medical care for'‘ail of the people of Rongelap
and Utirik.
The ERDA intends to continue this program provided
this can be achieved with the consent of the TTPI and the people
of Utirik and Rongelap.

The people of Utirik and Rongelap, independently» have recently
indicated a desire for changes in the type of medical care under
the ERDA program.
Specifically, they have requested that ERDA
expands and improves medical care of all the people on their islands.
It is recognized by the U.S. (ERDA) that general medical care of
the people of the Marshall Islands is a responsibility of the
Administration of the TTPI.
At the same time, it appears that the
request for extended medical care under the ERDA program stems
from a change in the perception on the part of the people of
Utirik and Rongelap of the manner and extent to which past ERDA
activities have affected their lives psychologically, socially,
and economically.
It appears, therefore, to be in the interest
of both the TTPIL and the U.S. (ERDA) to explere ways in which
these perceived needs can best be met by both parties within framework of their respective responsibilities.
For the purpose of the discussion between the TTPI and the U.S. CERDA)
it is proposed that the U.S. (ERDA) is prepared to assist the TTPI

in the discharge of its health care responsibilities to the people

mErositony

DOE-FeRRESTAY

couecton MITRKET
BOX Ne.

G44 80 3

FILES

Li aa
ee

ISLANDS

Fovoer #2 NOW 197 -OCT 27, 1977

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