DRAET 4016255 and questions om The following comments concerning the letter were prepere o “4 ct > <A copy of this letter is attached. om about the medical program on their island, 1976, ou to Dr. J. L. Liverman of ERDA containing a series of coments n The people of Rongelap Atoll wrote a letter, datec October, staff of Brookhaven National Laboratory and ERDA. The first comment is with regard to travel of Marsnallese patients to the United States. language, Since only very few Americans know the Mershallese it is indeed necessary to accompany patients chat come to the U.S. for treatment by Marshallese attendants. occasions, Unfortunately, this did not occur for various reasons. on or about two Every erfort will be made in the future to have all patients accompanied by =Euglish-speaking Marshallese attendants. Also when traveling outside the Trust Territory, they will be provided with adequate traveling funds. In addition, the Trust Territory officials will be urged to arrange necessary sapers such 2s passports well in advance, Whenever the Brookhaven doctors are at Rongelap, they give anyone with Sickness the best treatment available under the circumstances. As in the past, any disease in an exposed person that appears to de caused by radiation exposure will be taken to the U.S. for treatment if necessary. In the case that adequate facilities are available locally, patients that require hospitalization will be treated in the Trust Territory hospitals. Dr. Knudsen will assist in the treatment of the patients at these hospitals. Medicines needed for treatment at Rongelap that are not available from the Trust Territory Department of Health Services will, if possible, be provided by ERDA doctors, We are sorry that there have been conflicting reports about the future health of the exposed people of Rongelap. with the Japanese newspaper report Ge 5011237 Specifically, we strongly disagree that is 18 necessary to leave Rongelap DRAFT faery Wega