DECLASSIFIED j Autho ity 1 NO iJS2 q I Department of State - t ' JlcflAk§c · QFfITCT U HSB ONLY Classification I u 0 SENT TO our· USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY Origin Marshallese Petition URTllL 694 Re ·tJ f 1 9 - If you perceive no objection it is suggested hat USUN issue simultaneously with the release of the petition based on the following text hich has been drafted and approved by A EC and the Depts of Defense Interior and State The United States Government greatly regrets the effects which the recent thermonuclear tests in the Pacific Proving Grounds appear to have had on certain of the inhabitants of the Marshall Islands as described in the petition to the Urrited Nations That arry of the inhabitants of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands should have suffered in the slightest from the effects of hese tests is a matter of concern to the American people and Government I can assure them as well as the Members of the United Nations that the oi 1 Desired f1t1•• uthori ties in charge are doing everything possible to prevent any recurrenceo ecifically the 236 inhabitants who because of a windshift were within ·•· e rea affected by a fall-out remain under observation and any of them who y heed it will receive the best medical attention i • nnel t• · --l lbi IIII-- i j They and the American i of the group taking part in the test who were also exposed to the out from the Maroh 1st test were immediately provided with identieal liJ· medical _ _ _ _ _L__ _ µ 4- -------- T 1 --eg-rap --hi-c1-ran- m- -i --sio-n- n- -d---------- rt n------ i '- _l m 5 6 54 classification approved by UND Benjamin Gerig ' •• nc• in draf-11 with S AE - Mro Spiege¼ c ' AEC - Mro Donkin l · UNP Mr Meyer riE UNA - Mro Fierstf U • y· lJ Mr Demi · REPRODucnoN OM nus l FE • Miss Baco2 'd- · I teri or MCr Yeoma Defense - Mr Schoolw COPY RF CLASSIFIED fiS l 5 u oc - Mr Radiusp t S __ ''- · - PROHIBITED I t g i§ I MAY O 054 p tjt · as si fi cation i f tl Q ·-· DECLASSIFIED NOq$£ q3 Authority 2 • -• ' ' S • -• N i - i '• to __'--UWSU NJNL_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ · 1iir - --- -- OFFICIAL USE ONLY ' Classification ' • ' medical treatment As soon as it was apparent that these people were exposed to fall out they were evacuated to the u s 7 Naval Station at Kwajalein where care was immediately provided by the U S Navy In addition a team composed of medical experts from the Atomic Energy Commission U S Navy and Army was promptly formed and sent to the area to assure that all available medical attention and care for the personal well-being of these people were provided The services of the American Red Cross office at Kwajalein were supplied in furthering the comfort of all I am informed that there is no medical reason to expect any permanent after-effects on their general heal th due to the fall-out While it is impossible at this time to assure the petitioners that their first request will be met namely that ttaJ l experi lents with lethal weapons within this A re a be immediately ceased n I can say that as the petitioners rightly imply the United States would not be conducting such tests if it had not been determined after very careful study that they were required in the interests of general peace and security The selection of testing sites in this particular area was made atter careful examination of the alternative possibilities and in an effort to insure that the tests were carried out with least possj_ble danger The United States Government considers the requests and the suggestions of the petitioners eminently reasonable and valuable The restraint and moderation With which they have been put forward cannot but elicit the admiration and sympathy of all concerned As _ OFFICIAL USE O Y Classification _J DECLASSIFIED Aut ority 7 i l tJNO 152q3l ' to u su N------------- ---- I OFFICIAL USE ONLY Classification the United States As suggested 7 fG Geverriment is taking and wi 1 1 continue to take ttall possible precautionary measures • • • before such weapons are exploded It also agrees that ttaJ l people in the area be instructed in safety measures 11 Further it is reasonable and right as the petitioners suggest that aey Marshallese citizens who are removed as a result of test activities vti 11 b re-established in their original habitat in such a way that no financial loss would be involved to those so moved also that instruction be given to Marshallese medical practitioners and health aides which will be useful in detecting dangers and avoiding harm The United States 1flJ Government and the officers immediately concerned with the administration of the territory greatly appreciate the words of commendation of the petitioners with respect to the way the territory is being administered The welfare of the inhabitants has been the consta nt concern of the Governnent and particularly of the High Commissioner who vti 11 continue to spare no effort necessary to give effect to the trusteeship agreement DULLES e ' ' 'JI _J L OFFICIAL USE ONLY Classification IJ