14.
Termination of the trusteeship
There is
a deep and widespread belief that after terminakion, which is
expected in 1981, all internal affairs will have to administer#d by the duly
elected government of the Marshall Islands.
that termination will occur in 1981.
government.
“We have had an agreehent since 1976
We have done our part.
We've ratified our constitution.
We
We've had our
Wave formed our
lection.
that's the way it's going to be. . .The United States domestic
So,
cannot have
anything to do in Marshallese internal affairs after termination J"
15.
<A statement from the Minister of Health
“We are happy the U.S. Government is continuing to pay attentfion to those of
our people who were displaced and to those who were directly affected by the
atomic
experimentation
on
our
islands.
The
truth
is,
howbver,
all
the
Marshallese have been very deeply affected by years of atomic experimentation.
There are several points I want to make clear: (1) there are Marshallese that
have been directly physiologically affected by the experiments.
(2) There has
been a lot of intermingling because of displacement and mobility
between those
more people
are
Marshall Islands.
suffering with
thyroid
problems
and cancer
Is this trend related to the testing or not?
way to differentiate between those whose problems were caused
y exposure to
radioactivity and those not? (5) The U.S. government has a dual
sponsibility:
one
fnow
to
those
directly
affected
by
radiation
{and
they
are
throughout the Marshall Islands), and to those indirectly affecteH
scattered
by the tests
(and it is my conviction that every Marshallese has been affectéd directly or
indirectly by the tests).
“There are those whose problems are primary; and those whos#
secondary.
problems are
There are those whose problems are physiological; ad those whose
problems are social-psychological.
Those who live or come from[the four main
islands affected (Enewetak, Bikini, Rongelap, and Utirik); and thoge who through
intermarriage, migration, and intermingling are found as far sough as Ebon, as
far east as Knox, and as far west as Ujelan.
Let us face it, evefy Marshallese
that has been affected needs care and is entitled to it.
separate the victims after all the mingling and migration.
problem that needs a comprehensive solution.”
19
I say theme is no way to
It is alcomprehensive