mire
Wallace O.
July 18, 1980
Green
Page Four
when we ere dealing with so many unknowns about the effects of a new
technology over the course of
time.
4nd I might add, that despite the solace an alternative point of
view of Injebi dose assessments will have for us and the concemed
United States agencies, such an independent assessment will go a long
way to reassure the Rnewetak people themselves about the risks involved
in the proposed return.
It should be pointed out that the MInjebi people will be living in
a contaminated environment, end their concerns anc possible anritites
about the long-term effects of low-level radiation effects will not
eutometicelly cease uvor their return.
It was my exnerience on Utirik
tnet the people spent much time discussing the residusl raciation on
their contaminated atoll, end although I must admit that nany of their
"theories" about possible radiation effects seemed neive end inappropriate
to me eat the time, the real point was that they honestly believed their
intuitions and "theories" about radiation effects. I have enclosed a
poPy of ny 1977 Congressional testimony which details sone of these
eliefs.
I think the very least that we can presently do to reassure tne
snjebi people is to commission an independent survey with scientists
having no connection with er arsency of the United Stetes Government.
Aliso, I should mention thet many people in the Marshall Islands have
neard about “Physicians for Social Responsibility" ané their eminent
President, Dr. Helen Caldicott. Itis
vy impression that having Dr.
Caldicott and her organization attached to an indeperdent survey and
éessessnent of the Marshalls will help to restore some of our lost
credibility with these people who have a long history of "losing" with
the United States Government.
In closing,
I would like to point out that in my 1979 address
before the United Nations Trusteeship Council, where I represented the
International League for Human Rights, I specifically requested that
an independent survey be conducted in the Marshall Islands.
In their
recommendations to the Administering Anthority, the Trusteeship Council
egreed with my request and also recommended an independent survey in
the Marshalls.
As we reach the termination of the Trusteeshiv Arreement, it seems
that our legacy in Micronesia has been somewhat uneven and inconsistent.
The trust of the United Stetes Government by the people of Micronesia
under the Trusteeship has become tenuous at best, and I think an
independent survey in the Marshall Islands is lone overdue if we are to
maintain any degree of credibility, both with the Micronesians and with
the international community at large.