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 -
-