ina decrease in the radionuclide body burden.
Interior decided,
of Energy,
that
possible date.
radiological
The Department of the
in the lighr of the evidence presented by the Department
the people living on Bikini should be moved at
the earjiest
An aerial/radiological survey currently underway and other
tests on Bikini being conducted by the Department of Energy
will determine whether Bikini atoll can,
in the foreseeable future, be
considered a8 a home for the Bikini’ peovle.
Among the requests of the people of both Bikiri and Kili was a
10.
request for a statement in writing of the understandings that
li.
sentatives of the United States conveyed during thuse meetings and of the
12.
commitments
13.
ing are intended to respond to the principaj)
14.
expressed. *
that those representatives were willing to make.
the repre-
The folluv-
concerns then and there
15.
16.
Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Van Cleve, on behalf of the Government, of the
1?.
United States, and Mr. Winkel, on behalf of the Government of the Trust
18.
Territory, offered the following assurances:
19.
20.
1.
The Government of the United States considers itself generally
21.
responsible for the well being of the Bikini people and their descendents
22.
and, following consultation with them,
the Government of the United States
will seek to arrange their relocation, permanently,
in the most satisfactory
24.
wanner possible.
25.
such authority and such resources as may be required in order to meet -and
save t
dS.
The Deparrtwent of the Interior will undertake to obtain
ayre,
seornostter
the
barini
ono
Mili
reetscce,
the
four
valdsers releired to above were involved in a najcr airplane accident
off the coast of Guam. Although they were among the survivors, their
notes taken at the meetings sunk with the airplane.
This statement.
drafted by Mrs. Van Cleve on August 15 at the Guan Naval Bospatel is
intended to be as full as recollections permit, but in the circumstances
it may not he completc.
DOE ARCHIVES