—4O1117—
United States Department of the Interior
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C, 20240
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Dear Dr. Ray:
973
As you are aware, the Congress of Micrenesia, at its recent
session passed a Bill for an Act... "To provide for certain care
and benefits to the people of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls exposed
to the March 1, 1954, H-bomb test fallout; to provide for care
and benefits to certain other people from Rongelap and Utirik,
and for other purposes." This Bil] became Public Law No. 5-52
on April 11, 1973, wnen it was approved by the High Commissioner
of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
My Office, over the past several months, has been in contact with
the Division of Biomedical and Environmental Research, on matters
relating to this measure. Under the provisions of Public Law
No. 5-52, the Office of the High Commissioner is directed to seek
an executive agreement with the Atomic energy Commission whereby
the expenses incurred under the provisions of ‘the Act will be
defrayed either directly or on a reimbursable basis by the Atomic
Energy Conmission.
The Honorable Edward —. Johnston, High
Commissioner of the Trust Territory, has requested that I seek
such an executive agreement with the Atomic Energy Comnission on
his behalf.
Under the Law also, the High Commissioner was directed to report
- his findings to the Congress of Micronesia no later than thirty
days after ‘the effective date of the Act. We reported by
. dispatch 0175 on May 10, 1973, to the High Commissioner that we
had been in consultation with the Atomic Energy Commission on
this matter. A copy of the dispatch was sent to your office.
On behalf of the tiigh Commissioner, I am forwarding this official
request for an executive agreement as set forth in Section 10 of
Public Law 5-52.
heyours,
CRS
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Dr. Dixy Lee Pay
Chairman
Atomic Energy Commission
Washington, D.C. 20345
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