Mr.- Richard M. Page 5 May 4, 1973 Nixon project largely involved importation of agriculture experts to tell the Bikini people how to cultivate important food crops such as taro, islands. pandanus, limes, and other seedlings imported from other Much of this agriculture program met with some success. Efforts were also made to placate the Bikinians by giving them several acres of land on Jaluit atoll, about 30 miles from Kili. However, that Jaluit land program was largely a failure, for many different reasons. The lands on Jaluit were seldom used because they were barren and without food trees, because travel between Jaluit and Kili was uncertain and infrequent, and because the Bikini people were most unwelcome at Jaluit and the Jaluit people disputed the title to Jaluit lands given to the Bikinians. After complaints had been made to the United Nations Visiting Mission, another boat was obtained for the use of the Bikinians. The Libra was old 54 foot mission vessel that the Trust Territory outfitted with a new engine and sails. time, The vessel, for the first alleviated the isolation of Kili and the failure of field trip ships to call more than once every six or eight months. In November, 1957, typhoon Lola struck Kili, and devasted the new agricultural project and sank the Libra. All the taro was killed by salt intrusion, and 50% of the breadfruit trees were killed. In January 1958, another typhoon struck nearby Jaluit, Wiping out most food trees there and creating widespread destruction. After the typhoon, most rehabilitation efforts went to Jaluit. The Bikinians were back where they were in 1948, except that by now there were more than 250 people living on Kili. shortages again ensued in 1958 and 1960, Food alleviated for short periods by the arrival of C-rations and other emergency foodstuffs. Relocation was again discussed by the United States government, but rejected. The Bikinians continued to complain about Kili and their prison. Kili enana. Up through recent times, food shortages have occured on Kili. Most recently, the U.S.D.A. food program has been extended to Kili. Field trip service is slightly more reliable. The fishing is still non-existent, and the- island is still an island and not the home atoll of Bikini. All that is said above is simply a prologue, an introduction to the statement of the grievances and inequities that beset the Bikini people today. home, In 1946, when the Bikini people were first moved from their the United States made no settlement with the people concern-~ ing Bikini. The United States did not inform the people that they had legal title to Bikini, and the Bikinians, even if they had such a concept firmly in mind, were too intimidated to state it. 1956, after some adverse world publicity, to "settle" the Bikini problem. In the United States attempted After several discussions, the