403017
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
COMMERCIAL
OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
CABLE ADDRESS
PO. BOX 542
AGANA,
GUAM,
M
HICOTT
}
AL
In reply refer to:
September 2, 1960
Dr. C. L. Dunham
Director, Division of
Biology and Medicine
Atomic Energy Commission
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Dr. Dunham:
It has been brought to my attention that Dr. R. Conard apparently is
planning a ..irly large scale medical survey to be carried out at
Rongelap next spring which will involve whole body count examinations
of the population.
Up to the present time all correspondence on this subject has dealt
with "possible future surveys" which were to be decided upon after
the March 1960 findings were reviewed.
No official approval of a
trip of any sort for 1961 has yet been given at this end.
I realize
that in a recent letter dated August 25, 1960 to Dr. Conard I
concurred in the possible future use of the M/V Roque for a whole
body survey.
However, since at no time have I given specific approval
for a visit in the spring of 1961, this letter is not to be construed
as approval for a visit next year.
It was an answer to a general
request by Dr. Conard as to whether our ship was capable of being used
for a survey of this sort.
A review of the correspondence from Dr. Conard to various individuais
all indicate that a trip in 1961 was a possibility not an actuality. A
letter dated August 2, 1960 from Dr. Conard to Mr. Neas, District
Administrator of the Marshall Islands District, states that he was
attempting to work out a schedule of examinations which he would submit
to our Director of Public Health in the near future for approval.
We
have not received such a schedule.
I am attaching for your information, copies of memoranda prepared by
Mr. Neas and Dr. Macdonald containing their recommendations made after
the March 1960 medical survey and after consultation with Dr. Conard.
CBIZBII
In short, these recommendations are that the annual survey should be
discontinued effective this coming year, 1961, and that a body burden
sceosram
COLLECTION OLB
BOX No. /f
FOLOEA
cot CMe