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UNITED STATES
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
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DETERMINATION {CIRCLE NUMBER(S)]
1.CLAS SPIC ATH2™ NOORETAINE
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As you will recall, in the years immediately following the end of
World War II the United States used the Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls
in tne Marshall Islands for nuclear testing purposes. The Marshalls
are a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
The people
formerly livin: on Eniwetok were moved to the nearby atoll of Ujelang
aud the Bikini people were ultimately moved to the island of Kili.
Eniwatok was used as the base for conducting tests in the area and,
we understand, is ia activa use by tite Defense establishment at the
present time. Bikini has not been used as ea test site since the mid1959s.
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the people of Bikini were resettled on the island of Kili, which is
not en atoll with an associated lazoon, but is a small island with a
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fringing reef. Access to the islaad is extremely difficult at best
and dis aliiost impossible at some times of the year wien the seas are
so heavy as to prevent small boats from moving over the reef to or
from the island.
The island 4s in a fairly huald part of the Marshalls.
ane has @ hicnuer per-acre agricultural potential than does Bikini. Howver, the land area of Kili is approximately one-third of a square rile,
whereas the land area of Bikini Atoll is in excess of two square miles,
In reconmnition of the substantially more limited land area on ili, as
6. CLASSIFIED INFO BRACKETED
Y DETERMINATION [CIRCLE
1. CLASSIFICATION RETA
well as the people's dependence upon a lagoon, the Bikini people were
granted certaia use rivnts in the nearby Jajuit Atoll as partial compeasation. Their ability to use the Jaluit resources is, of course, linited
by the frequent difficulty of getting to and from Kili.
On Hovember 22, 1956, the people of Lili concluded an agreenent with the
Goverazent of tie Trust Territory, acting oa behalf of the United States.
Under the teres of thds agreement, the Trust Territory granted to the
former ELkini people use rishts in the lands and waters at Kili and Jaluit,
as I have deseribed then, until such tina as it misht be possible for then
to return to Bikini, providing they then wish to return.
In addition, the
forser Dikini people were paid $325,993, of which $25,000 was paid directly
and the remainder invested, the interest being periosically paid to thea.
ine 1956 agreement also provided that:
"The Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacifie Islands
and/or the Governzent of the United States of s&reric2 shall
possess the full use risats to Dikini Atoll uatil such tine as
it determines it will no lonser be neccessary to pecupy and use
the said stell.”
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