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-“’>.+ OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Honorable Ruth Clusen SEP 281978 Assistant Secretary for Environment Department of Energy The series of events of the fiast year relating to radiological problems in the Marshall Islands, i.e., the start of the long delayed aerial radiological survey Of the Northern Marshalls, the unfortunate circumstances which culminated in the relocation of the residents of Bikini Island and the increasing pace of the cleanup and rehabilitation program for Enewetak Atoll, have highlighted the need for a top-level coordination meeting of the agencies directly involved in these matters. High Commissioner Adrian P. Winkel will be in Washington the week of October 8, 1978, and this will be an opportune time for an interagency meeting. I suggest, then, that the principals involved with these matters in the Department of Energy, in the Defense Nuclear Agency, and in the Department of the Interior, meet to discuss coordination for handling immediate problems, as well as to consider responsibilities for continuing needs. Among the items which we propose to discuss are the status of the radiological survey, the problems facin9 us by tpe chan9ed situation concerning Bikini Atoll, the need for continued and expanded monitoring, both health and environmental, and the progress of the Enewetak Cleanup and Rehabilitation Program. As you know, Under Secretary James A. Joseph, Deputy Under Secretary Wallace Green, and I recently visited the Marshalls” We went to Kili Island as well as to Bikini Atoll. Regrettably, our schedule did not permit us to visit Enewetak. Under Secretary of the Interior James A. Joseph, in view of his keen personal interest in the continuing problems caused by United States nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands, plans to chair the meeting on October 12. It will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room 7000B, Main Interior Building/ 18th and c TE : Identical letter sent: MRS. RUTH G. VAN CLEVE rector, Ruth G. Van Cleve Defense Nuclear Agency Directorshincjton, D.C. 20305 Office of Territorial Affairs