have the capability whatsoever to differentiate. . .
I shudder to think how many
people have been actually directly affected and the problem was never properly
a
~
identified."
2.
"Strange" illnesses on atolls other than the northern four
"We hear horror stories.
I look at Mejit, Likiep, and areas like that which
have experienced not so normal illnesses, birth defects and other anomalies of
that nature.
These are areas that should be investigated, not with a mind to
determine who
is
to blame or who is responsible,
providing proper health care.
but really as
a means of
People are sick out there; they need care. ..
It
is our worry that people are indeed sick and people have illnesses that are
internal and severe enough that if they were in a proper medical facility one
could easily discover and treat these illnesses.
But because the system of
health care now is such that we do not have the capability, the problem even
becomes more severe than meets the eye."
3.
Voluntary migration in search of safety and/or jobs
The fact that the Bikinians moved to Kili and the people of Enewetak were
moved
to Ujelang
presents
a
migration
problem
that
spells
intermingling,
intermarriage, and the "sharing" of the contamination that came about in the
northern islands, in the opinion of the Marshallese.
The migration of hundreds
to Majuro to seek jobs with the government, and to Ebeye to seek jobs with the
United
States
Army
Missile
Range,
is
seen
as
another
dimension
of
the
intermingling of the “unclean” with the rest of the people.
4.
Food Distribution
“People in the outer islands very commonly, very normally, send in food,
locally grown produce and other food, to be consumed by their relatives who are
otherwise not exposed. . . Salted fish, preserved pandanas.
very susceptible to radiation, holding radionuclides.
Pandanas we know are
So are arrowroots.
is the main one that is sent in form the northern Marshalis.
coconut crabs, salted fish, and others.
That
Not to mention
These are sent all over the central
Marshalls, especially Majuro and Ebeye."
Preserved food also gets sent all over the islands and especially to the
centers of population.
The food is preserved, like in the case of breadfruit, by
burying it in the ground--a major source of radioactivity.
5.
Challening the "Cigar-shaped Theory"
"There is the cigar-shaped fallout theory. . . That has never been proven.
It may be true at 10,000 feet,
but what happens as it settles?
prevailing winds which run here northeast?”
15
What about