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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
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Honorable Sidney R. Yates
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ACN fh
Chairman, Subcommittee on Interior
and Related Agencies Appropriations
Committee on Appropriations
ticuse of xkepresentatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear “ir.
20515
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Yates:
During the Jume 19, 1375, Subcuimittee hearing on che Sikini situation,
there was
siderable discussion on the role performed by Dr.
I
Robert A.
Conard of Brookhaven National Laboratory in the April 1978 annual
medical survey of the Bikini Island residents.
You will reeall that
there was confusion as to just when Dr. Conard last was on Bikini
Island and what he mignt have told the residents of Bikini Island
when he was there as to the consumption of local coconuts.
Be, Conucd,
Department,
who secved as Head, Marsnali isiands Medical Yeam, tledical
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, has
forwardei to us a copy of his trip reporc of this annual medical
survey, which took place between March 25 - April 25, 1978.
A copy
of the repert also has been suomitted for insertion in the June 19,
1978, hearing record, but I thought you might like to review a copy
ac this time.
You will note,
for example,
that the Acting Magistrate of
tne Bikini
Island residents was told of the preliminary analysis of the April
findings of the whole body count examinations.
Dr. Conard also expressed
concecn over
the facc
thet
the residants were eating Bikini Island
coconuts, and sugyested that they eat the Eneu Island coconuts rather
than the coconuts grown on Bikini Istand.
At that time, i.e.,
Maren 25 - April 25, 1978, tne Department of Energy had not datermined
-that
the Eneu Island coconuts were suspect.
The Department of the
[Interior was not infurmed of the new development until mid-May and
Dr. Conard, in the field, did not have access to any information to
that effect.
L hope that Dr. Conard's trip report will clear up the misunderstandings
on this matter.
-
REPOSITORY
COLLECTION
BOX No
|
VOE- SOR RESTA
Eles
harks y
"MRS. RUTH G. VAN OLEVE
Mes.
SDE
Zt & Mapshall Dslaras
FOLWERNS Wey¥, /P977
Sincerely yours,
-
Hug SPAS
Ruth G.
Director
Vaan Cleve
.
Seobosurce
ec: /Dr. R. Conard
haan
19!23491
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Office of Territorial Affairs
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