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united States Department of the lnterkr 5 incs 1972, the displaced people of Enewetak Atoll have repeatedly r-quested that an ac!vanceparty of about fifty people from Ujelang be allowed to return to Japtan Island on Emwetak. TM request was made based on their assumption that the southern islands were radiologitally safe and therefore there should be no barrier to a return to that portion of their homeland after being awqy over 25 years. Me supportl this request -but heretofore have been unable to entertain 1t unti1 the Radiation Survey Report was completed and reconsnendationswere fortk coming as to the safety of certain 11ving patt@rns among other thirigs. He believe it ~s in the best Interests of all the parttes to take steps to return an advance party of !%ewetakese to Japtan. This ts also held to be desirable by the Trust Territory Government and they are prepared to offer logfstic support to accomplish this. A preliminary plan for return is enclosed. . To this end, we request that the Atomic Energy (lxmiss?on address the safety aspects of the proposed return ati establIsh guidelines which Include all restrictions necessary to reasonably insure the WI lbeing of the returnees. Me have had repeated assurances that if people were al1owed to return they were aware that certain restri cti cm would be necessary and WOUId abide by them. Finally, we would appreciate ft if these guidelines could be forthcoming before mid-August. We have tentative plans to met with Trust Territory officials and the people of Enewetak in late August and believe it desirable that a joint statement be made at that time announcing our favorable response to their request to return an advance party to (?aptan. k are most appreciative of the Commission’s work to date on the Enewetak prob’lms and look fon~ard to a continued good ralationshiu 3eading to the final safe return of al? the people of Ene7dak. Hon. Dixie Lee Ray, Chairman Atcmi c Energy Comi ssicm
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Dear Madam Chairman: Since 1972, the displaced people of Enelwetak Atoll have repeatedly requested that an advance party of about fifty people from Ujelang be allowed to return to Japtan Island on Enewetak. The request was made based on their assumption that the southern islands were radiologically safe and therefore there should be no barrier to a return to that portion of their homeland after being away over 25 years. !Jesuppor& this request but heretofore have been unable to entertain it until the Radiation Survey Report was completed and recommendations were forth= coming as to the safety of certain living patterns among other things. Ne believe it is in the best interests of all the parties to take steps to return an advance party of Enewetakese to Japtan. This is also held to be desirable by the Trust Territory Government and they are prepared to offer logistic support to accomplish this. A preliminary plan for return is enclosed. . To this end, we request that the Atomic Energy Commission address the safety aspects of the proposed return and establish guidelines which include all restrictions necessary to reasonably insure the wellbeing of the returnees. We have had repeated assurances that if people were allowed to return they were aware that certain restrictions would be necessary and would abide by them. Finally, we would appreciate it if these guidelines before mid-August. We have tentative plans to meet officials and the people of Enewetak in late August desirable that a joint statement be made at that time announcing our favorable response to their request to return an advance party to Japtan. could be forthcoming with Trust Territory and believe it lieare most appreciative of the Commission’s work to date on the Enewetak problemsand look forward to a continued good relationship leading to the final safe return of all the people of Enewetak. and YOZL Serve America!
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The Ujelang Coul~cil has met several times to consider , It is generally agreed that a number .of people could return to );Ilc’,.?eta?:, to Japtan Island, before new houses are built on the atoll -and even before the construction is authorized or funded. people to return: About 5@ people initially, selves will Clecic?ewho should return first. Later, Wheh the first returnees have been able to construct some additional telnporary dwellings , more people will move 2. Time of} love: AS soon as possible; hopefully, m the 3. Tasks to be pekformed at Japtan: Upon return to Japtan, Island for temporary P.ahitation by the EnewetakeseThese tasks will include: (a) clea~in~~ and repairing of e>:isting buildings; (b)-clearing of brush and undergrowth (c) installation of gutters on buildir.gs
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of six or seven water catchmcnts, proand therefore of a removable nature. of one or two brac}:ish water wells of additional houses, from surplus material gathered from Parry Island, or from. used gathered from Parry Island, or from used material, . . 4. Materials needed to conplete (3) above, to be brought from carpentry tools and supplies cuttings or seeds to be planted, especially pandanus some livestock -- pigs and chickens house - building materials 5* Support needed fl-om either Trust Territory or Department of six or seven temporary water catchments — (b) one 20-30ft boat with engine, capable of carrying building materials from Parry to Japtan (c) generator ancl radio for emergency with Enewetak. Perhaps battery power facilities canif raclio contact with Enewetak IsaInd
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thereby be assurred. (d) field trip services to Japt-an, on a fairly regular (e) at least one, and hopefully more, field -trips bett~een Ujelang and Japtan for the initial transfer of people and materials. The Council wishes to emphasize that they are perfectly capable of living or) Japtan without much help; that they are resourceful and can survive and thrive” on Japtan as it now exists. They emphatically do not want to be told that they cannot go back to Japtan because there is no mon~y to provide for the things listed above. Quite clearly this list is minimal -- under four . be available somev~here. The housing that no’:~ exists on Japtan is in many ways better than the existing housing at Ujelangt ~p>~ it makes little sense to argue that the return to Japtan