“Honorable Richard M. Pagge 8 May 4, 1973 xon the Bikini rehabilitation project is reported to be 2.88 million In spite of the size dollars, including readiological clean up. of the rehabilitation project, and in spite of the apparent source of the funding, it appears that the Trust Territory government has submerged all the Bikini rehabilitation money in the Trust Territory General Fund. Under these circumstances, it is necessary for the Bikini project to undergo periodic review to determine if it will be continued during the next fiscal period, and to determine what priority the Bikini rehabilitation project has in the ever changing Trust Territory list of Capital Improvement Projects. The point is that the funds for the Bikini project should have long ago been set aside, to be used only for the rehabilitation of Bikini atoll, instead of being put in the Trust Territory coffers where the funds are subject to misuse and the project subject to unnecessary cutbacks and unauthorized review by the Trust Territory government. Secondly, the 2.88 million dollars apparently programmed for Bikini includes $245,000 for "administration" and $248,800 for "resettlement". Have these funds been expended? If so, on what? It 1s simply mind-boggling that the mis-management, bungling, and jack of judgment shown by the maladministration of the Bikini project should cost $245,000. Thirdly, the budget information available to the Bikinians shows that the money for the rehabilitation of both Kili and Ujelang atoll came from the Bikini rehabilitation budget, despite promises to the contrary. The Bikini people were specifically told that the money for the improvement of their Kili housing would not come from the Bikini rehabilitation funds; that Ujelang should be rehabilitated with Bikini funds is simply outrageous. Fourth, in 1970, the High Commissioner "borrowed" $200,000 from the Bikini rehabilitation fund for use on a starfish eradication program. He never asked, nor told, the Bikini people about this. He has never accounted to them for it, and to this day the Bikini people feel cheated of another $200,000. It is another example of the maladministration of the Bikini rehabilitation project, and it is another source for their intense mistrust of their “trustee”. Binally, the peopie of Bikini do not know when they will be able tc move back to their homeland. When they do move back they will find it changed and buildozed and radioactive. It is uncertain -~ in spite of AEC statements to the contrary -- that residence there will be safe. There is still a question of radioactive danger, as evidenced by the fact that the AEC required a four-inch concrete floor in the Bikini houses.