These are strong, perhaps even parancid statements. but though they ray be aifficukt to accept they must be seen fer their sianificance -. -e@ Cynicism ant fvustlation wiaisca they verlect. The problem of the primary contaminated atolls, Bikini and Enewetok, is deeply troubling. A serious cleanup attempt is being made at Ue + Enewetok, at a reported expenditure of $218 million. Inthe licht of tne drastic measures and unusual lifestyle required for resettlement, t is not yet clear if many of the people will chcose to return. lkhini poses a more difficult case than Enewetok, and thus far the Government has taken the position that cleanup would be too expensive. It would seem that a profound moral and legal question is persed here for the aqlcobal community. Who is to decide upon such cs imperfect cleanup at Bikini could cost several hundred million acilars, some Marshallese pointed out that the US Government is wort U svending much more than that amount on just a few weapons such as ne MX missiles, now being tested at Kwajalein. At one meeting an articulate young man asked, TIT. - fst “Why can the US do whatever it chooses?" US SECURITY NOEDS AND KWAJALEIN 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 123 Cwn security needs which was the driving force behird the testing rregram and now the way in wi.ich the new political arrangements are eveiving. While the US would clearly like to resolve and be free ilem the ubiquitous problems and unfortunate colonial image asscciated with the Pacific Ttsland Trust Territory, its current military reqiirements are having major and social status of impact@ upon the new nation. the political, economic iz is at the Kwajalein Atoll where we see the embodiment of this guestion. The Kwajalein people, most of them now living in crowded dismal conditions on 27 Ha. thus far unsuccessfully, (67 acres) Ebeye Island, are seeking, to attain a measure of restoration to their land, which is being used as part of the missile testing range. Tne determination of the Kwajalein people, working through an organization knewn as The Kwajalein Atoll Corporation, is a remarkable story in itself. The Kwajalein people will without doubt play a IV. key role in this continuing debate. "THE LAWYERS" Lawyers and the litigation to pursue health damage and land claims have become a significant, often troubling political factor. This, too, is 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 sclutions, 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 people a new means of much-needed power, and it would be most unwise to jeopardize this bv attacking their sensitive lawyer-client relationship. ~ af - -