ie
“ecrease in the radionuclide body burden.
The Department of the
‘aterior decided, in the light of the evidence presented by the Peparcment
of Energy,
chat the people living on Rikini should be moved at
eaves valk.
an aetiul/radiolngica!
the earliest
survey currently underway and other —
radiological tests or Bikini being concucte! by the Deparemene of Enercy
will determine whether Bikini
etoli
can,
in tne toresceabie future, he
considered as a home for the Bikini’ pédple.
Among the requests of the people of both Bikini and Kili was a
10.
request for a statement in writing of the understandings that the repre-
ll.
sencatives of the United States conveyed during those meetings and of the
12.
commitments
13.
ing are intended to respond to the principal concerns then and there
14.
expressed.*
that those representatives were willing to make.
The foltlaw-
.
15.
16.
Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Van Cleve, on behalf of the Government of the
17.
United Staces, and Mr. Winkel, on behalf of the Government of the Trust
18.
Territory, offered the following assurances:
~
‘
19.
20.
I.
The Government of the United States considers itself generally
21.
responsible for the well being of the Bikini people and their descendents
22.
and, following consultation with them, the Government of the United States
23.
will seek to arrange their relocation, permanently,
24.
manner possible.
25.
such authority and such resources as may be required in order to meet and
in the most satisfactory
The Department of the Interior will undertake to obtain
Un augUusl 14, EUs, cron hte er te Bikini and Kadi moet crs. the four
officers telerred Lu abuve were involved in a majoc airplane accidenc
off the coast of Guam. Although they were among the survivors, their
notes taken at the meetings sunk with the airplane. This statement,
draleed by Mrs. Van Cleve on August 15 at the Guam Naval Hospital is
intended to be as full as recollections permit, but in the circumstances
it may not be complete.