401793 Us, daton Desrus Secretary of Poreign Affaire Goverament of tha Harelhell Ielseds Majera, Marshall Tslerds 96960 Dear Mr, DBeSrust: I regret that our schedules thie peat waek did not nexrmit a meetiag to discuss the watter of the propesed medical suryay of tha people of Liktep Atoll, which you raised at tha Hay 16, 1979, meeting with De-~ rartwent of energy officials, officials of this Department, and represcntatives of other agencics. I do vant yeu to knew that we have been conferriag with the Nepurtinent of Energy on this matter. oth cf our Dapertwents have been waiting, to ®eaa extent, for the return of Dr. Ragh Pratt frem the Harehalis sinse wa believe that he is in the best position to advise oa tha eomponition of a medical team ami on other aspectea of what should be included in an examiuation. It is my understanding that he is returnicg to New York this weekend and we will be conferring with bim early agent woek. dt this point, I cannot give you « pracise aimmwer an to tiwing. There niy bs cangidarable advantage in tytag fa such a eurvey with the sext quarterly visit ef the Broskhaven team which would be fa faptemnbar. Ll vealise thet you have fodicated that the Marshall Ielends Covermnent could asaisk with logigtic support, but a local field trip ehip atght not heve the Leboratory or other wedical equipmeat that che Deportment cf Energy ship might have availabic. it will take time aleo ta sasembla a tean since ita members must plan well in advance of any visit. It would be expected thet sone medical tean members would ceae frou private hesptitale and son-goverament institutieus. IL would assume that this type of makeup ef a medical teau vould be the kind you would desire. Please be agsured that, while I cannot give you a definite renly today a8 to exact timing er ce the mskeup of guy wedical team, 7 can adsure you that for our part, we will push forwaxd full steam abead, It is anticipated that the Department of Energy will do likewlae, and ve will be in constant contact with that erganization. Se Si BEST COPY AVAILABLE