These
are
strond,
perhaps
even
parancid
statements.
But though
they
may be aifficube to accept they must be seen fer their sianificance
ae eee CyNas.sm ant Ceocetcation wotoca they verlect.
"CS 4 CTU} ct
The problem of the primary contaminated atolls, Bikini and Enewetok,
is deeply troubling. A serious cleanup attempt is being made at
Fnewetok, at a reportel expenditure of $218 million. Inthe light of
ne drastic measures and unusual lifestyle required for resettlement,
Gi te ¢t
is not yet clear if many of the people will chcose to return.
~
1
nini poses a more difficult case than Enewetok, and thus far the
Government has taken the position that cleanup would be too
ncensive. It would seem that a profound morai and legal question is
--zsed here for the aglcbal community. Who is to decide upon such
weighty matters of land abuse and restoration? While even a very
imperfect cleanup at Bikini could cost several hundred million
:’ilars, some Marshallese pointed out that the US Government is
s vending much more than that amount on just a few weapons such as
rs
neo
MX missiles,
now being
arciculate young man asked,
4
TIT.
ro
tested
at Kwajalein.
At one meeting
an
"Why can the US do whatever it chooses?”
US SECURITY NIEDS AND KWAJALCIN ATOLL
a most
basic
level,
this
situation must be
scen
as
one of
the
many tragic effects of the arms race. It was the US perception of
223 Cwm security needs which was the driving foree behintl the testing
. ry
-Gram and now the way in wiiich the new political arrandemeants are
+evliving. while the US would clearly like to resolve and be free
tloom the ubiquitous problems and unfortunate colonial image associate!
with the Pacific Ttsland Trust Territory, its current military reqiirements are having major impact#@ upon the political, economic
and social status of the new nation.
ie is at the Kwajalein Atoll where we see the embodiment cf this
guestion. The Kwajalein people, most of them now living in crowded
@ismal
conditions on
27
Ha.
(67
acres)
Ebeye
Island,
are
seeking,
tnus far unsuccessfully, to attain a measure of restoration to their
land, which is being used as part of the missile testing ranae.
Tne determination of the Kwajalein people, working through an
organization known as The Kwajalein Atoll Corporation, is a remarkaple story in itself, The Kwajalein people will without doubt play
a
key role in this continuing debate.
rv.
"TERE LAWYERS"
Lawyers and the litigation to pursue health damage and land claims
have become a significant, often troubling political factor. This,
too, 1s a cOnsequence of the weapons testing program. Are the people
being exploited in new ways through the lawyers, even as they deal
with older injustices? Is there an unfortunate "pull" towards money
solutions, Or compensation, rather than long-term restoration of
the basic relationships between the people and their land and
culture? Perhaps, but the lawyers apparently have brought these
greatly disadvantaged pecple a new means of much-needed power, and
it would be most unwise to jeopardize this by attacking their
sensitive lawyer-client relationship.
~ af -