a «ott eA fale . a pe eeAA ?: eae oii. % MAT: NDG dune ll, 1954 Honorable Orme Lewis Assistant Secretary of the Interior Department of the Interior Washington 25, D. C. Dear Mr. Lewis: The enclosure forwarded with your letter of May 13, 195 enumerates correctly, insofar as the Atomic Energy Commission is able to ascertain, the measures which are currently teing uncertaken by the Commander in Chief, Pacific for the ree Settlement of the natives evacuated from Rongelap and Utirik. The Commander in Chief, Pacific has indicated that he would implement, with assistance from the Atomic Energy Commission, such measures as are required in resettling the Msrshallese. This position has been concurred in by the Chief of Naval Operations. with primary responsibility for this matter residing in the Commander in Chief, Pacific, it ia Apparent that the Atomic Energy Commission is not in a position to assure that all details outlined in Mr. Midkiff's letter will be executed. However, Since the Commander in Chief, Pacific has requested that he be given responsibility for these matters with the exception of the continued medical care of these Marshall Island residents, and the Chief of Naval Operations has concurred, there can be little doubt of his willingness to fulfill the obligations entailed in the resettlement of the natives. Insofar as continued medical checks are concerned, the Atomic Energy Commission has accepted this responsibility. Dr. Bugher, our Director of the Division of Biology and Medicine, has diccussed with the High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands possible means of implementing this Commission responsibility. In addition, the Commission will insure nceLien SSIFLCATION caE-DOP RUTEORITY: DO BY Badse) bined OTH SAP . , e 9000 1bb re SPR S awaoS RIFLE ae ~ 5C