Aon SBR
TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
Office of the District Administrator
Marshalls District
In reply rei
January 11, 1977
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US'DOE ARCTUVES
Dr. James Liverman
NERGY
326 U.S. Aon
Assistant Administrator for
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U.S. Energy Research and
Development Administration
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Enviormmment and Safety
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Washington D.C. 20545
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Job
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Dear Dr. Liverman:
Several times in recent months, I have requested assistance in
understanding matters concerned with radiation and in explaining
these matters to the people of our islands.
I recently requested
assistance also during the United Nation's Mission visit and
during the visit of a United States Congress Committee under the
leadership of Patsy Mink. On these occasions your Nevada Operations
Office has generously provided assistance by having Mr. Roger Ray
travel to the Marshalls. Mr. Ray has gained credibility for himself
and for ERDA by being willing to go wherever we had a need, to listen
to the people's questions and concerns and to patiently explain
ERDA's actions which are so important to them.
During his visit in mid November, Mr. Ray has advised me of the plans
which your staff is making for meeting here in the Marshalls to
discuss ERDA's medical program at Rongelap and Utirik. I shall most
certainly welcom that visit and make every effort to have
representatives of both atolls available for the discussions. I would
urge, too, that after we have agreement on the future of the program,
your representatives would try to visit Utirik and Rongelap to
explain it first-hand to the people.
I am informed also that you are planning for extensive studies regarding
the presence of plutonium in the urine of the people at Bikini. That
problem and the peopie's apprehension about it has become a matter
of great concern to me.
I have asked Mr. Ray to please arrange for
an early visit to Bikini to explain what it may mean to the health of
the people and to describe in advance the kind of tests and studies
which you plan to carry out.
I understand that this may include the collection of a large quantity
of urine, perhaps from almost the entire population, and over a
period of time. Such program will require careful explanation and
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