The Honorable Wallace O. Green Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Territorial & International Affairs August 8, 1980 Page Two however, it has become apparent to the Government of the Marshall Islands from cur earlier meetings, and was again emphasized in the meeting on August 6, 1980, that no meaningful consultations as mandated by Public Law 96-205 can take place until the United States Executive Pranch is prepared to put forward orally or in writing some clear notion of its interpretation of the statute so that areas of difference can be identified and a mutually satisfactory health care Plan developed. Although we appreciate that we all must proceed expeditiously, the Government of the Marshall Islands must insist that it be provided a reasonable period of time to review and to discuss with you any scope of work document and draft contract before their presentation to an outside contractor and that the Government of the Marshall Islands be provided an opportunity to meet with the contractor before it proceeds to carryout any contract. Hopefully this consultation can take place in the Marshall Islands where the people to be involved in the health care program can be afforded an cprortunity to participate. The Government of the Marshall Islands does not seek to delay for even one day Or one minute the delivery of health care to the people of the Marshall Islands as provided by Public Law 96-205. We have been seeking to consult with the United States to develop a health care plan since March 12, 1980 when Public Law 96-205 came into force. However, we must insist that the implementation of the statute be carried forward in accordance with the Congressional intent that there be meaningful consultation with the Government of the Marshall Islands so that the people of the Marshall Islands receive the full range of health services to which they are entitled under this statute. We believe that with an opportunity for meaningful consultation and careful thought the plan called for in Public Law 96-205 can be prepared by January 1, 1981 as directed by the Congress and we are committed to working cooperatively with you to the fullest extent possible toward that goal. With these thoughts in mind, the Government of the Marshall Islands offers the following preliminary comments on the Discussion Paper which we reviewed in our August 6, 1980 meeting. We have had only a short time to consider this paper and therefore reserve the opportunity to provide further comments cn the Discussion Paper at a later date