COVINGTON
&
BURLING
40 287
888 SIXTEENTH STREET, N. W.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20006
TELEPHONE
TW: 7IO-822-C0005
(202)452-0000
TELEX: 89-503
WRITER'S OIRECT DIAL NUMBER
CABLE: COVLING
(202)
452-6218
January 27,
Theodore R.
1979
Mitchell, Esquire
Executive Director
Micronesian Legal Services Corporation
P.O. Box 269
Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950
Dear Mr.
Mitchell:
Please forgive
the delay in responding to your
letter of December 21, 1978.
When I received your letter in early January, I knew that I would not be coming
Out to Saipan for the status talks; hence, this less
than prompt reply.
As far as the people of Bikini are concerned,
I agree that (1) the United States now has and should
retain direct and exclusive responsibility and liability
for radiation-related injuries, losses, problems, and
long-term needs of the people of Enetewak, Rongelap,
Utirik, and Bikini; and (2) it would not be acceptable
for the United States to impose such responsibility uvon
the future government of the Marshall Islands.
The only
questions we face are which agencies of the United States
government should be responsible and with which institutions we should negotiate in reaching our desired ends.
There appear to be at least five long-term goals
the people of Bikini wish to pursue:
{1) future ex gratia
payments;
(2)
compensation
for the taking and/or destruc-
tion of land on Bikini Atoll (depending on the results of
the recent Northern Marshall survey); (3) resettlement of
the Bikini people; (4) future medical benefits resulting
from possible exposure to radiation on Bikini from 19701978; and (5) periodic radiological survey of Bikini Atoll.
As I see it, the above five goals can be pursued
through Congressional legislation or through participation
in the Micronesian political status negotiations.
On the