In addition, because of times to oppose firther Title I the -ammuit needed to settle Title I uvertainty now existing as t_ ’ the additional B payment. ¢3 The Administration at this tine uncertainty as to when the question about amunt will be | - _—_— ee finally established, we think, at a minimm, it is premature to support the authc rization contained in section 102. These uncertainties arise because of pending litigation. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed and remanded earlier decisions of the United States District Court in two suits involving three claims, holding that the Micronesian Claims Act and its legislative history 4 not preclude judicial review of final decisions of the Micronesian Claims Commission v. Bell, S69 F.2d 607 (1977); Melong v. Micronesian Claims Conmission, 469 F.2d 630 (1977)). The first question before us, and itself not a difficult one to resolve, is where those three claims should be reheard, inasmxh as the Micronesian Ciaims Commission has long since disbanded. We would be prepared to offer legislation to provide a forum for this purpose, but it may be that the problem is inmensely nore complicated than that. ‘This is so because after the Court of Appeals ruling, the District Court ruled against class certification, but this class action issu its now qn appeal. If the lower court ruling against the class certification is overturned, substantial effort would have to be expected in re-determning a large mmber of claims. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 Title I claims might then require readjudication. Such readjudications would probably (a) require creation of same new instrumentality to perform the adjudicatory wrk, (b) result in a@ change in the total anount of $22.6 million unfimded—but whether upward or downward, we are umable to project, and(c) consime many mnths to complete. The Administration remains opposed to further Title I payments at this time. We will avait the Court of Appeals decision on the class action suit before determining what other steps may be required. Orly then will we know-the magnitude of the prodlem before us. nes SO — Section 103 would establish a comprehensive medical care and monitoring program urder the direction of the Secretary of the Interior for the inhabitants of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap, and Utirikwho were subjected . Pocket Gamage as @ result of United States nuclear testing in the The Administration strongly believes that it is the responsibility of the United States to insure that the people of the Marshall Islanis who have been exposed to radioactive hazards resulting from nuclear testing at Fnewetak and Bikini receive proper madicel follaeup ard, where appropriate, medical care. ar Tyg Teer at’e . faa SAME _t ct de . oTa? cnet arr ial : we *a x \ bop a a 7 a oe ee . ‘ aoe —_ ate Joye Pym Beye toatl TB . a. Teg