—4O1117— United States Department of the Interior OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C, 20240 } 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 ane — §00855b safe” re ° Stanley 'S:-Carpentert-. Director’ afsTerritorial “Mf fairs | PODS PF By c2 pity gy, Q3AI593y