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TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
Office of the District Administrator
Marshalls District
In reply refe
January 11, 1977
a
Dr. James Liverman
Assistant Administrator for
Enviomment and Safety
U.S. Energy Research and
Development Administration
Washington D.C. 20545
Tear Dr. Liverman:
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Several times in recent months, I have requested assistance in
understanding matters concerned with radiation and in explaining
these matters to the people of our islends. I recently requested
assistance also during the United Nation's Mission visit and
during the visit of a United States Congress Committee under the
leadership of Patsy Mink. On these occasions your Nevada Operations
Office has generously
pr
provided assistance by having Mr. Roger Ray
travel to the Marshells. Mr. Ray has gained credibilityfor himself
and for ERDA by being willing to go wherever we had a need, to listen
to the people's questions and concerns and to patiently explain
ERDA's actions which are so important to them.
During his visit in mid November, Mr. Ray has advised me cf the plans
which your staff is making for meeting here in the Marshalls to
Giscuss ERDA's medical program at Rongelap and Utirik. I shall most
certainly welcome that visit and make every effort to have
representatives of both atelis-available for the discussions. I would
urge, too, that after we have agreement on the future of the program,
your representatives would try to visit Utirik and Rongelap to
explain it first-hand to the people.
I am informed also that you are planning for extensive studies regarding
_ the presence of plutonium in the urine of the people at Bikini. That
problem and the people's apprehension about it has become a matter
of great concern to me.
I have asked ltr. Ray to please arrange for
an.early visit to Bikini to explain what it may mean to the health of
the people and to describe in advance the kind of tests and stidies
which you plan to carry out.
I understand that this may include the collection of a large quantity
of urine, perhans from almost the entire population, and over a
period of time. Such program will require careful explanation and
.
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