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THE WHITE HOUSE
—
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ieahnouncedi today thet nlans cre underway to permit the people
of Bikini to return to their home atoll in the Ma ‘sha lIsiands. A special
committee of consultants has reported to the Atomic Energy Commission that
Bikini Atoll, site of more than 20 nuclear tests between 1946 and 1958, is
again safe for human habitation.
The Defense Department has reported after a special study that the return
of the people is consistent with security requirements.
inuing
There will be a
requirement for the use of some sites on the atoll and there may
be é need. for Defense Department personnel to be stationed on the islands
from time to timc. These uses will not prevent the return of the people nor
the re-establishment of their normal way of life.
€ moved to make way for nuclezr tests, about 150 persons lived on
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Lis a ring of 26 coral islands, 25 miles long and 15 miles wide,
thwestern fringe of the Mar“shalt islands. Before 1946, when the Biki-
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They moved first to Rongerix Atoli and since 1948 have lived on
tne southern Mershall Isiande. Fae Kili population is now about 300.
£ about 500 people repard Bikiai as their traditional home, including
me who work and live on other islands. Not all are expected to seek
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AUGHST 12, 1968
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Office of the White House Press Secretary
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(Austin, Texas)
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.
Secause of the dense overgrowth of the islands and the lack of any substantial
antity of foodstuffs growing on the atcll, an extensive clearing and replanting
program will be required.
in addition, housing and community facilities, such-esa School, dispensary, and a water collection system, will be needed before
ikinians can return from Kili.
“ne Bikini peopte will actively participate in botn the planning a
gee of the resettlement program. The High Commissioner of the Trust
Perritery has been asked to request the Bikini people to name a group of their
seacers to work with Trust Territory Government personnel and representatives
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of the United States Government in devcloping a comprehensive resettlement
Siek. This work is scheduled to begin With a visit to the atoli within the next
sew weeks by a team composed of Bikini eee and personnel frorn
tne Trust Territory Government, the Defense and Interior Departments and
the Atomic Energy Commission.
the intent of the United States and the Trust Territory Government to work
with the Bikini people in building e modern and model community on their atoll.