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This snouid read: 17245 - March 9 United Nations... and Mav Znewetak Miarsnali —Islands “A CHRONOLOGY: 1944-1981
RECEIVED y. 5. eanTMent OF EWERST RUS 5 1382 LIBRARY WASHINGTON, 3.C. 20546
MICRONESIA SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Honolulu, Hawait 5001192 3OW 7O READ THIS CHRONOLOGY: a Weapons Testing--even numbered left hand pages 4-34; destruction of island home- dands and radioactive contamination of people, iand and food sources. Resettlement of People--odd numbered right hand pages 5-39; the struggle to Survive in exile. There is some necessary overlap for clarity; a list of sources used concludes the Chronology on pages 36 and 38.
BIKINI ATOLL IN 1946, PRIOR TO THE START OF THE NUCLEAR TESTS.
9001193 lst edition published July 1978 2nd edition published August 1981 “FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND...”
Marshall Islands people have borne the brunt of U.S. military activity in Micronesia, from nuclear weapons experiments and missile testing to relocations of people and radio- active contamination of people and their environment. All, as an American military com sander said of the Bikini tests, "for the good of mankind and to end all world wars."
Of eleven United Nations Trusteeships created after World War II, only Micronesia was designated a "strategic" trust, reflecting its military importance to the United States. The U.N. agreement has allowed the U.S. to use the islands for military purposes, while dDinding the U.S. to advance the well being of the people of Micronesia.
Western nuclear powers have looked on the Pacific, because of its small isolated popu- lations, as an “ideal location to conduct nuclear activities unwanted in their own countries.
In addition to Bikini and Enewetak, the U.S. has tested nuclear weapons at Johnston and Christmas Islands; the British at Christmas Island and in Australia; and the French con- tinue to test at Moruroa and Fangataufa Atolls in "French" Polynesia. More than 180 atomic and hydrogen bombs have been detonated in the Pacific region since 1946; over 100 by the United States.
The health and safety of people, be they Marshallese or American citizens and military personnel, has been a very low priority in the U.S. government's nuclear testing program. AS Commissioner Libby of the Atomic Energy Commission said in 1953: “People have got to learn to live with che facts of life, and part of the facts of life are fallouc."
The Marshall Islands Chronology tells the story of U.S. military activities in the Marshall Islands and thei: effect on Marshallese peoples’ lives and environment. It is a story that has remained wumtold for too long.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WEAPONS TESTING RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE
Yperation CROSSROADS begins at Bikini 4 Bikinians' First Relocation, 1946 S
3ravo H-bomb test at Bikini, 1954 6 Enewetak People Moved to Ujelang, 1947 9
Radioactive Fallout Contaminates People 8 Kwajalein Landowners Evacuated for Tests 1% tongelapese Return Home 1957 12 Crisis on Ujelang 17
Study Shows Unexpected Cancer Increase 26 Bikini Resettlement Attempt Fails 31 Marshallese Health Problems Worsen 32 Kwajalein People Occupy Islands “33 sources 5 0 0 q ly 36 Bikini, A Nuclear Waste Dump? 37 peseseneseeneee WEAPONSTESTING mmeeeee Marsnail tslancs ‘eo | 1945 AUGUST 6 Japan: The U.S. drops ns o Fe a 13 kiloton atomic bomb on Hiroshima enyuctah aamto, reagerk anam city, killing approximately 100,000 wjeteng wathe ea people. Three days later a second atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki city, 1 unt i -_—~ “Soyens as Nam n'a. killing approximately 70,000 people. cunjpeleia van? i> \ ae cote —_ amomses NOVEMBER Washington: American military and political leaders begin planning , dae &. | a nuclear experiments for further devel- wade nacecis ~ opment of nuclear weapons. Two tests, am. oo code named Operation CROSSROADS, are | planned to demonstrate the effects of 1947 DECEMBER Enewetak: The Navy atomic explosions on naval vessels. A decides that Enewetak Atoll will be search is begun for an appropriate used for a second series of nuclear ex- testing site. periments. 1946 JANUARY Washington: “Navy offi- 1948 APRIL Enewetak: Operation SAND- cials in Washington, D.C. announce that STONE begins and includes three atomic Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands blasts ranging in strength from 18 fulfills all climatic, zeograpnical and 49 kilotons, detonated from towers: X- other requirements for Operation CROSS- Rav (April 15), Yoke (May 1) and Zebra ROADS (4,500 miles away from the U.S (May 15). a small posuiation of 167; 3a orotected - ~~ fae anchorage; and under the control of the L.S.) 1951 APRIL Enewetak: Operation ‘ JULY Bikini: 2peratrion CROSSROADS bde- GREENHOUSE begins. This series in- zins and ircludes two atomic domo ciudes four atomic tests exploded on plasts, Abl2 iJulv 1), an air drop, and towers: Dog (April 8), Easy (April 21), Zaker (Juiv 25), an underwater test. George (May 9) and Item (May 25). Zasy These tombs ire about the size of the test is 4? kilotons: information en the atomic torr sroppec on Nagasakl, Japan. others remains classified. Approxi- Abouc 42,0°0 military men and scien- mately 3,200 military men participate cists participate in this test series. in this series. 1947 JULY The Marshall Islands, along with the Caroline and Mariana Islands, formerly wider a League of Nations Mandate to the Japanese, become the United Nations Trust Territory cf the Pacific, administered by the United States. “Ships remained in the lagoon 1952 NOVEMBER Enewetak: Operaztion during cetonation and fallout pe- IVY begins. [It includes the first riods ard were subjected to con- thermonuclear (hydrogen) device test, Cbl100¢ Siderabie fallout (during Opera- Mike (November 1), estimated at 10.4 tion Greenhouse),” megatons (750 times greater than tne Studies of Participants in Nu~ Hiroshima bomb). King (November :6) is clear Tests, National Academy described as a "high yield" 500 kiloton of Sciences, September 1980. (continued on page 6) 4 QUEER RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE Excerpt from the United Nations and housed by the U.S.Navy on Aomon and Trusteeship Agreement for the Bijire Islands in Enewetak Atoll. United States Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands: 1946 JANUARY Bikini: Washington, D.C. Article 6--"In discharging its ob- officials select Bikini Atoll for the tigations under Article 76(b) of firse series of nuclear bomb tests and the Charter, the administering au- its population of 167 must be moved thority (U.S.) shall: immediately. 2. promote the economic advance- ment and self-sufficiency of the FEBRUARY Bikini: One month after the inhabitants, and to this end shall decision was made in Washington, D.C. regulate the use of the natural to use Bikini Atoll for nuclear experi- resources; encourage the develop- ments, the military governor of the ment of fisheries, agriculture, Marshalls obtains the consent of Biki- and industries; protect the inha- ni's paramount chief for the relocation bitants against the loss of their of his people. The American military lands and resources; and improve governor informs the Bikinians chat the the means of transportation and scientists are experimenting with communi cation; nuclear bombs "...for the good of man- 3. promote the social advance- kind and to end all world wars.” The ment of the inhabitants, and to Bikinians, with no alternative, agree this end shall protect the rights to leave their home. and fundamental freedoms of all elements of the population without ? discrimination; protect the health aoe san of the inhabitants...” g pow .. , WONOLELS na | ot ° ) Aytee . . 1944 FEBRUARY Enewetak: United States Co Wa weA forces attack and overcome major Japan- .: a” : = :, aurchaiie aeoe * . ese fortifications on Enewetak Atoll we . eae after heavy pre-invasion bombardment in — x which some Marshallese are killed. i ww fan OA SYDMEY Teeay TCRqrUay FEBRUARY Kwajalein: U.S. forces capture v Kwajalein Atoll from the Japanese after heavy fighting. Americans recruit Mar- THE TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC Shallese to remove battle debris and ISLANDS (MICRONESIA) COVERS A LAND build warehouses, air strips, air craft AND OCEAN AREA OF THREE MILLION hangers and other military facilities SQUARE MILES. on Kwajalein Isiand. Families join Marshallese workers at Kwajalein ‘abor =~ camp. MARCH Bikini: As the Bikinians prepare to leave, approximately 250 naval ships, Kwajalein: The world's largest atoll is 180 aircraft for observation and trans- made up of approximately 93 tiny coral port and thousands of military and sci- islands that encircle an 839 square entific personnel begin arriving for mile ocean lagoon. Total land area of Operation CROSSROADS. 100s 93 islands is only 6.64 square miles. MARCH Bikini: Because the Americans said Gbl 1945 Enewetak: The Americans build a that Bikini would be returned to its runway, barracks, warehouses and other people at the conclusion of the tests, base facilities to carry on the Pacific the Bikinians believe their move is war. The Enewetak people are fed,clothed (continued on page 7) § test. The Mike blast Vaporizes luge iab isiand leaving a crater one stile in diameter and 175 feer ceep in <8mm COVral-_ - 7 reer.- NOVEMBER 16 Enewetak: Ujelang Atoll, ~20 miles southwest of "ground zero” is contaminated with radioactive fallout zram the 500 kiloton King test. “Prior to...and for weeks lead- ing up to the blast the prevailing upper level troughs indicated that wind was blowing to the vicinity of our island." U.S. MILITARY COMMANDERS ARRIVE IN sene Curbow, HO Weather Report- FEBRUARY 1946 TO TELL THE BIKINIANS ing Element, (U.S.Air Force) on THEY MUST LEAVE THEIR ATOLL TO MAKE Rongerik Atoll, 2954, WAY FOR THE NUCLEAR TESTS. <—— at Bikini and Enewetak lasting through 1954 JANUARY Rongerik: 7£ Air = ore May. The series includes Bravo, a*I§- and 3 Army men arrive on Rongerix Atoli megacon hydrogen bomb blast, and five 125 miles east of Bikini, to set uo a4 other tests. Koon test (April 7) is weather monitoring station in prepara- listed at 110 kilotons; information on tion for Cperation CASTLE. This au- the others remains classified. Approx- clear test series is to include the imately 7, 200 military men participate -arczest announced hydrogen bomb explod- in this test series. ; ed a the 2.S. The Rongerix weather Station besins regular observations zo MARCH 1 Bikini: At 6:45 a.m., the Bravo cetermine temperature, barometric con- Surrace detonation creates a blinding sitions anc wind velocity up to and in- ‘lash of light followed by a fireball clucing 100,900 feet alove sea levei. of intense heat, tens of millions of degrees, shooting upward at a rate of ro"pes.aD: ~3hn Anjain, the “a- 300 tiles an hour. Within 10 minutes Zgistrate oc: Rongelap Atoll, is warned the giant nuclear cloud reaches more Sv an American Navy friend that the than 100,000 feet. Winds several hun- Roneelap people may be in danger from dred miles per hour at the center and the upcoming Bravo hydrogen bomb test. 70 to 100 miles an hour at the blast's Buc he doesn't know the date of the edge rock the placid lagoon like a full test. and says there are no orders from scale typhoon. Washington to evacuate the people. Rongerik: The weather station men in- "The sky was suddenly completely tensify their observations, as the test lit up, brighter, if possible than date draws near, checking surface wind daylight itself...The shock wave direccions and barometric conditions that came after the initial blast nouriy and upper level weacher condi- Was so tremendous that all the loos tions everv two hours. They report to pre-fabricated buildings were -oins Task Force-7 (JTF-?) Head- damaged in one way or another. quarcers that winds are blowing east Almost all of the windows just Lbi from Bikini towards Rongerik and blew out.” other inhabited atolls. Donald Laker, Air Force radio operator, Rongerik Atoll, 1954. MARCH Bikiri: Operation CASTLE beains (continued on page 8) RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1946 concinuea temporary. Therefore, they choose to JULY Bikini: Bikini magistrate Juda is re-settle on nearby Rongerik Atoll, 125 flown to view the results of the first miles east, although they recognize its atomic test. Detonated over the lagoon, drawbacks: poor quality coconuts, un- the bomb had caused little visible usable well water and many species of damage to the islands. When he reports fish which are edible on Sikini but are this, the Bikinians' desire to return poisonous at Rongerik. home intensifies. BIKINI ATOLL OECEMBER Rongerik: The Bikinians' situ- . = —5 Cra ation on Rongerik worsens. Food short- ages occur during late 1946 and early Sy 1947, Zo “ 1947 MAY Rongerik: A disastrous fire damages an estimated 30% of the produc- ‘om tive coconut trees on Rongertk. Ovenan Pas oe JULY Rongertik: The situation on Rongerik a Agrota Enermen Chan ‘urther dereriorates. A medical officer after visiting Rongecik. reports the Sikinians "visibly suffering from mal- nutrition." . BIKINI ATOLL, SITE OF 23 ANNOUNCED NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS ~UGUET Rongerik: An investizet‘:- hoard aie :tpeinted by the U.S. administration to took into the Bikinian's plight neets MARCH 7 Bikini: The Bikinians' first with the people on Rengerin and reports: relocation is accomplished with little insufficient food, a bankrupt store, planning. The people are moved swiftly Low supplies of water and cnly cne from Bikini to uninhabited Rongerik, trackish well on the island. >a 4 whose 17 islends barely contain one- Seare’s report concludes: "Tr sould ap- half square tile of dry land surround- rear that their cepaurture from ronge- ing a lagocn of only $5 square miles, rik has been too lonv delaved.' compared to 3ikini's 2.3 square miles of iand and 299 square mile lagoon. SEPTEMBER Rongerik: Harold Ickes, a for- mer cebinec member under Presicene MAY Rongerik: Less than two months rrankiin Roosevelt, in a naticnaliv after their arrival the 8ikinians ex- syndicated newspaper columm mares seri- press anxiety over Rongerik's meager cus charges against the Naw acrinis- resources, and make the first of many tration for neglecting the Bikintans on requests to return home. 'Rongerik and arouses a storm of eriti- c.sm. Enewetak: In preparation for the July atomic tests at Bikini, the Enewetak people are evacuated to Meck Island in “The Seabees built a modei vil- Kwajalein Atcll, and the Rongelap and lage on Rongerik that anyone woulc Wotho people are relocated to Lae Atoli be proud to live ‘n...Th2 natives for the duration of the Rikini tests. are delishted, enthusiastic about the atomic bomb, which has aiready Rongerik: The people of Rongelap Atoll, brought them prospericy and 2 new BbI1100S just <5 miles from Rongerik, catch fish cromising future.” and prepare food and transport it bv U.S.Navu press statement, april outrigger canoes to Rongerik to help i, 1946. the Bikinians. (continued on page 9) a OS SS SS SD A SO AD ND NS SS DG SS GE DD UD De Ree material 100% nours 3ikini: nuclear ash" bb! apoard and Bravo. 1954 sea aware “Lucky Ailinginae, on begins Rongelap: they radiation nor no 3ixini. the ter watertight nitoring Bikini: deep. ward of are and perience take plosion, brackish increase their food. rorms rFallouc. Atomic After nO neighboring lease dand residents atomic viduals cautionary 28 to 29 tests, official Rongelap Bikini. and lagoon any ordered the begins ei showing begin continued movement burns. some United to “During thelr after that a exposure, Dragon.’ the to according Ry It Hundreds Approximately vomiting. blast, test. JTF-? notification protect following ships the layer from The positions Energy Navy severe vellow in test =hs exposure: About fall were The radioactivity. nightfsell, turns are Japanese the jAomes.” doors eS the warning to States about and Within were below completion radiation measure. Rongelap All natives the Bikini's Soon ships atolis begin in on of personnel radioactive ash lifted a fall on unexpectedic blast, three Commission the vomiting themselves and the the of The eee white, were are course the the to transported the the decks 100 "Bravo" atter the is minutes about personnel] millions on itching fishing of are 18 a drinking people contaminates to fishermen Marshall of w:i] as sealed. radioactive to island one into fallout the peopie miles 64 to plan reported leveis. effects a reef, the Rongelapese of record These snow-like precautions Kwajalein of ani located a see “gritty people the 40 four and and-a blast,1954: cust be There result the 22 the press of WEAPONS as 3ravo a begin from vessei, skin, miles east natches exposed < the of islands fallout, and routine receive water from diarrhea. indi- returned fishermen hours from atomic a Islands, a the inches air are or well. All soon half tons were pre- in east- living steady the white of re- 236 of test, cloud the to nau- acute ash east Is- ex- by un- 4 mo- men on a che af- and to ex- of $ TESTING _megaton BEER warned what Within Rongerik: although Rongerik: Air ports quarters away, with Utirik, questing about MARCH >erience Utirik: replies the them. ep, described zvallable message in MARCH Bikini: plane the headquarters fallout seople ~ersonnei MARCH after Rongerik: leave taking 2escue tinue 2ongeiap: Noncela. 22 evacuated sin -inginge the noon. Utirik fallout Force Rongelap, the it radioactive precautions radioactive to 2 at sending 4 3 to their when middle hours I you "If not radiation plane was Almost Ailinginae, that is Rongelap: Jemo begins RRB Bravo Rongerik: Ucirik: evacuation providing but Enewetak evacuation, the Rongelap, report and Atoil. The man. The as The to Joint from from eee people transmitted to Bravo to like," exposure, of evacuate receives there and fallout “mist requesting beginning the weather of 28 weather Rongerik, drink radio tese SSE can the 275 Kwajalein late Rongerik the Approximately Task their (continued Air Mejit measurements, the fallout 18 will headquarters, ash Radiation are to More Enewetak miles hourly are said imagine at like." spend of Ailuk, messages blast, in Ronzelapese the Pacific, Force but take. from Force-7 no station begins Rongerik. Bikini the station findings. the the eaaananasee no to are be the at than one water, Taka, evacuation. by headquarters east instructions arrive from 20 weather airplanes Enewetak exploded. Bravo. Americans last approximately 64 a and day 125 contaminated Hikar, an npage on A JTF-7 Rongerik monitoring minutes 48 snow Atoll. falling to people ships Wotho, reports that's men of second Air-Sea the 72 miles Army and hours and to tell are JIF-~?7 by on Bikini, hours re- head- The ex-*,* storm Liki- con- 15 Ai- re- be- sea- is 20) men, not are on the on | 4 RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1947 continued OCTOBER Rongerik: Navy officials an- nounce the 3ikintians will be moved to Vjelang, the western-most atoll in the | Marshalls. NOVEMBER 22 Vjelang: Ten Bikini men and -0 Navy Seabees go tc Utelang and begin | construction cl a new village. DECEMBER 2 Enewetak: The “avy announces | that Enewetak Atoll will te used for the second series of nuclear tests, and its inhabitants must be moved immediate- ly. OECEMBER 2] Enewetak: The 145 people of THE BIKINIANS ARE MOVED INTO A Enewetak are quickly relocated to un~ TEMPORARY TENT CAMP ON KWAJALEIN zsnhabited Ujelang, and the Zikinians FOR SIX MONTHS DURING 1948, AS remain at Rongerik, despite caving THEY LOOK FOR A NEW HOME. built housing at Ujelang. Photo by Leonard Mason Ujelang: The atoll has only one-third ia the land area of Enewetak's 2.26 square FEBRUARY Rongerik: During DOr. Mason's miles and a muci smaller lagoon: 25 second week on Rongerik, he is joined miles compared to Enewetak'’s 390 square by a Trust Territory representative who miles. immediately notifies the adminiscration of the critical conditions. Within 24 1948 JANUARY Rongerik: Universicy of hours, a medical officer and food are Hawaii anthropologist Leonard Mason flown to Rongerik. After examining the arrives on Rongerik to indevendently Bikinians, the doctor states their con- | assess the situation for the Trust Ter- dition to be that of a starving people. Titory High Commissioner. MARCH 14 Rongerik: The 8ikinians are evacuated from Rongerik and taken to a temporary camp at the Navy base on Kwa- jalein. The Rongerik resettlement at- tempt has lasted two years and one week. APRIL Kwajalein: A search begins for an alternative resettlement site for the Bikinians. JUNE 1 Kwajalein: After consideration of several atolls, the Bikini people vote in favor of moving to Kili Island, pri- marily because it is uninhabited and not controlled by a paramount chief. SEPTEMBER Kili: An advance party of 24 Bikini men and 8 Seabees arrive on Kili to begin construction of a new village. THE BIKINIANS, STARVING ON RONGERIK Because of rough seas, lumber, roofing ATOLL, ARE EVACUATED A SECOND TIME and tools for constructing the village | 5 ors on’ IN 1948. have to be brought ashore on rafts. (continued on page 11) ee 9 pPaesaseeeesseeeees WEAPONS TESTING BSSSeSeeSSeSewe 1954 concinued after S5ravo, the Utirik people are mediately ceased. if the experiments... evacuated by a Navy LCU. should be judged adsolutely necessary for the eventual well being of all peo- MARCH 5 Kwasalein: Many of the exsosed sle of this world...all possible pre- people from Rongelap, Rongerik and Uti- Cautionary measures to be taken (and) rik, evacuated to the Kwajalein Navy all human beings and their valuable tase, continue experiencing symptoms of possessions be transported to safe dis- severe radiation exposure: itching and tances before such explosions occur...” Durning of the skin, eves and mouth, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The ma- - Sority of the Rongelap people and she “The first shot (Bravo) has -8 Americans suffer from skin burns on been variously described as devas- their necks, arms and feet and loss of tating, out of control and with Sody and scalp hair beginning abour other exaggerated and mistaken two weeks after their exposure. characterizations. JI do not wish to minimize it...but at no time MARCH Japan: Two weeks after their ex- was the testing out of control.” posure, the [ishermen on the "Lucxy Admiral Lewis Strauss, U.S.AEC, Uragon' arr:ve in Japan. Within a dat a Washington, D.C. press snort cime, the radio operator is <‘eaa conference after the "Bravo" of leuxemia, and other crew members are shot. tll. Within two years the Japanese been government receives $2 million in -:cnm- rensations Irom the U.S. governmen: isr APRIL United Nations: The Trusteeship the ‘Lucky Iragon's' exposure. Council approves a resolution in re- sponse to the Marshallese petition sup- >orting continued U.S. nuclear testing, “When we arrived on Kwajalein but requesting that added safety pre- we Startec setting burns all cver cautions be taken and urging the U.S. "2 compensate the Marshallese for loss OG wr tod:es and people were feelin: fizzy and weak,...After two caus 22 land. something actpeared under mu fin- rernmaics ans wien mu fingernails APRIL 26 Zikini: Ailinginae, Rongelap came crf anc mu fingers bled. we and Rongerik Atolls are contaminated a.n 140 Surts=, 2n our sars, snoul- with radioactive falicut from che Union cers, neces and feet and our eyes ‘est ac Bikini Atoll. The yield of were very sore." zhis bomb remains classified information _Seryy Enos, Rongelap Atoll. MAY 5 Bikini: Ailinginae, Bikar, Ronge- lap and Rongerik Atolls are contaminat- MARCH 27 Bikini: Following the Bravo ed with radioactive fallout from che Yankee test at Bikini Atoll. The yield test, the otf limits zone around S8ikini of this bomb remains classified infor- aS enlargec eight times. The area in- mation. cludes the inhabiced atolls of Rongelap, Utirik, vjelang and Likiep. No island- MAY 16 Rongerik: The 28 Americans ers are ever evacuated before subsecuent evacuated from Rongerik are pronounced c@ases, mowever. fic, and released for active duty after medical examinations at Kwajalein and APRIL 20 Uniced Nations: 11] Marshail- Tripler Hospital in Hawaii. They re- ese, clected and traditional leaders ceive no further medical follow up des- irom more than 10 atolis, petition the site their exposure to at least 78 rads United Nations Trusteeship Council re- of whole body radiation. questing that “all the experiments with See reis within this area be im- (continued on page 12) eee10 Reeeeeeeeee RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 948 continued NOVEMBER 2 Kili: The total Sikini com- are relocated from squalid shacks in the munity of 184 seople arrives cn Kili Kwajalein Island labor camp nearthe U. after a 7-month stay on Kwajalein. Fili S. military installation to Ebeye Island cwith .36 sq. stile of land) “as advan- three miles away. The Navy constructs tages of good agricultural soil and frame houses, cook houses and outhouses stands of quality coconut trees for on Ebeye for 370 people. copra export. ?rior to World war ‘iI, the Japanese had used the island as a Kwajalein: Until 1958, the. Kwajalein copra plantation. The Islanc'’s draw- Navy Station's primary functions are in backs include a lack of lagoon or pro- supporting the nuclear testing at Ene- tected anchorage. The full force of the wetak and Bikini. ocean pounds Kili from November through May, halting fishing and isolating the 1952 Ujelang: The people make repeated island. Because the Bikinians were requests for sail cloth and paint for used to gathering fish from a protected upkeep, repair and operation of their lagoon with their nets, spears and out- sailing canoes, as well as fishing ret tigger canoes, the new Kili environment material and fish hooks, but their causes many problems. srcers do not arrive on the field trip snips. ",.-30th the Bikini and Fnewe- “OCTOBER Ujelang: A U.S. Navy LST takes tak people rave been relocated on the 149 Ujelang people to a point 100 other land that.has been ceeded to miies farther away from Enewetak, which them and have been civen cconsider- ig to be the site of the first hydrogen able assistance in their resettle- bomb test as part of Operation IVY. ment and readjustment.” U. S. Representative Benjamin DECEMBER Ujelang: A special field trip Gerig to che U. N. Trusteeshic shic arrives, but brings only enough Council, 1356. Saiicioth for two canoes. 5 out of 13 Sailing canoes are unusable for lack of sails. The long awaited order of 1949 Ujelang: The Enewetak vecple liv- marire paint for wooden hulls was ang on Ujelang are totally dependent on "Edited with ten gallons of red paint the infrequent ‘every 3-6 months or for tetal and 16 quarts of enamel] la- -onger) and unreliable Trust Territory beled "for garden furniture." Few of field trip vessels for food and other the cther materials can be used, dis-. needs. Vast distances (640 =:iles to appeinting the people who planned to the District Center at Majure, 410 miles paint the canoes after the copra nar- to Kwajalein and 290 miles to the clos- vest. est inhabited atoll, Ujae) prevent Mar- shallese craft from sailing to Ujelang to pick up copra or to supply trade “Canoes and fishing are the life goods. of Ujelang. Without the canoes we cannot get to the other islands in 1951 JANUARY Kili: The 40-foot ship pro- the lagoon to harvest cecconuts. cided for the Bikinians by tne adminis- Without the fishing equipment, we ceration is washed into the Kili reef by cannot catch fish to get enough to c&he heavy surf and sinks with a full eat.” toad of copra. Rough seas and a short- An Enewetak Iroij (chief). mage of vessels cause food supplies. to yun critically low more than once from md951 to 1953, even necessitating an air 1954 Kwajalein: The Navy Station ea- drop of emergency rations at one point. plove. 226 Marshallese, only 32 of whom are from Kwajalein Atoll. The popula- JANUARY Kwajalein: About 550 Marshallese ‘e (continued on page 13) q¢ 2S 0See0 ee WEAPONSTESTING Se 1954 continued halted and that the Bikini and Enewetrak people be compensated for their islands. "When we were returned to our home island, the U.S. gave us four large pontoons filled with drinking water and bores of C-rations...They left and told us not to eat or drink any- thing from the island. We were quite suprised that they did not clean the cement water catchments which contained poisoned water. When we ran out of water in the pontoons, someone tasted the water in the catchments and found it to be okay, CONTAMINATED BY HIGH LEVEL and so then we all drank this water.” RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT FROM THE Kel Toel, from Ttirikx Atoll. BRAVO TEST, THE RONGELAP PEOPLE ARE CHECKED FOR RADIATION WITH GEIGER COUNTERS. Navy Photo. MAY cnewecak: Cperation REDWING beging ii at Enewecak and Bikini. This test se- MAY Rongelap: After three montns of ex ries includes 17 atomic and hydrogen ominations and treatment at the Xwaia- Domos through July. The Lacrosse test 1 i ein Navy >Sase, the Rongelap veovle are ‘Mav 3) at Enewetak is listed as 40 resettled temporariiy on Ejit isianad i: xilotons. Three hydrogen bombs are Majuro Atoll, as high radiation levels tested at 3ikini: Cherokee (May 21) on Rongelap prevent their return. listed at ‘several megatons;" Zuni (Mav 78) at 3.5 megatons; Tewa (July 21) at (tirik:ct Receiving wnat the AEC Zo 5 megatons: information on the other . Fy - mM rm ‘small’ amounts (14 rads) of “ests remains classified. siation from Bravo, the Utirik De return home from Kwajalein. Zrooknaven “oetors siate: “Their isiane «as oniv siigntly contaminated and considered 1957 JULY Rongelap: A Brookhaven re- sare for nabitatzion.” sort for the AEC states that “in spite of slight lingering radioactivity" JUNE Bikini: Radioactive contamination Rongelap Atoll is safe for habitation. 130 times above normal levels is de- The people exposed in 1954 return home, tected at 1 testing point 312 miles along with nore than 200 Rongelap peo- west of Bikini. A Japanese government- ple who had been away from the atoll sponsored scientific team sampling during the Bravo test. Brookhaven doc- ocean water and marine life reports tors call this unexposed group “an ideal that radioactive contaminants are found comparison population for the studies.” in the ocean from the northern Mar- snalls vwestward almost to the Mariana Uririk: On the gounds that the lower ex- Telands. 7.000 miles away. posure of the Utirik people is less ha- zardous (14 rads compared to 175 for the an Rongelap people) Brookhaven doctors ex- Cc amine the Utirik people oniv once every c> three vears. 1955 MARCH 9 United Nations: Mar- rf shall Islands representatives again cm ta petition the U.N. Trusteesnip Council 1958 Rongelap: Stillbirths and mis- requesting that the nuclear testing be (continued on page 14) SrRBeB EeeBeee 12 SVReSBSeeaeeee SS a RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1954 continued tion of Ebeye Island (a 78 acre island tess than one mile long and 250 feec wide) grows to 980 people. 1955 Kili: Trust Territory ships with supplies continue to have difficulties off-loading supplies at Kili because of rough seas. 1956 NOVEMBER 19 Ujelang: The Uielang people have received no compensation for the loss of their home atoll, Ene- wetak, and are now offered $25,000 in cash and a trust fumd of $150,000 with semi-annual interest payments at 3 1/3% by the U.S. government. Faced with ENEWETAK PEOPLE ON UJELANG ATOLL harsh living conditions, the people ac- IN THE EARLY 19605 cept and sign an agreement wnich savs Photo by Leonard Mason. in part: ".,..The Government of the United States shall possess che full NOVEMBER Kili: As problems wersen on 1958 JANUARY Kili: Typhoon Ophelia Rn Kili, the Trust Territory ecvernment Causes great destruction on Jaluit and Bie selects a site in neardy Jaleit Atoll ether southerm atolls. All the Kili ih people iiving on Jaluit are forced to to Start a satellite community. Three Bikini families move from Kili Island move dack to Kili as the satellite to the site in Jaluic, 30 miles north. community becomes uninnabitable. During 1957, several other families a alternate with these first serrlers as 1960 Kili: Rough seas once again pre- housing is erected and food crops (co- vent the field trip vessels from pro- ae conuts, pandanus and taro) are planted. viding adequate service to Kili Island. The Bikinians face food shortages once NOVEMBER Kili: Representatives of the more. Kili people sign an agreement giving the U.S. government “full use rights to Kwajalein: The residents of Roi Namur Bikini Atoll...future claims by Bikini- Island, in the northern part of Kwaja- ans based on the use of Bikini by the lein Atoll, are relocated to Ennubirr Government of the United States...or on Island about two miles away, and to the movicg of the Bikini people from Ebeye. Ennubirr becomes an indigenous Bikini Atoll to Kili Island, shall be labor camp for the base facilities at against them (the representatives) and Roi Namur, similar to Ebeye for Kwaja- not against che Government.” In return, lein workers and their dependents. the Bikinians are given "full use rights" to Kili and several islands in Jaluit 1961 OCTOBER Kwajalein: The inhabitants and $25,000 in cash and a $300,000 crust of Lib Island are relocated to Ebeye by fund yielding semi-annual interest pay- the Navy, as Lib is in the new “impact mentr oFof ¢$4,1 DID.72. 640 (aboutbo $15 per person (continued on page 15) ee 3 pues eaeresss WEAPONSTESTING Seee 1958 contzaueg A Carrsages among exposed Rongelap women tioned on Enewetak Isiand during Opera- oe tase to more than twice the rate in un- tion HARDTACK I. They witness 2? nu- ee os i . a ae ote . exposed “arsnailese women for the first clear blasts, living within 10-20 miles Os Zour years following their exposure in of the explosions. More than 90 naval ie 1954. vessels and 40 planes are involved in eed supporting HARDTACK I. The 8.9 megaton oe Rongelap: Amata Kabua, a Marshallese Oak test's radioactive cloud covers Ene~- traditional seader, ee files a law suit in wetak Island; no one is evacuated, al- Guam Federal court seeking Bee $8 million though lagoon swimming is orf limits compensation for the Rongelap people. for OM three days. At no time following The Judge dismisses the case citing the 21 ocher Ol tests is lagoon use re- lack of *urisdiction. onde stricted. woe Rongelap: A Brookhaven report by Dr. ne Robert Conard shows that after the tte Rongelapese were returmed to their is- OS lands in July 1957, their tody burdens Mee of radioactivity rapidly increased. in OR past tne -ear, the Roneelap reoples' el sOcv lavels ~ cf radioactive cesium 13 if Sa rose 30-foid., strontium 99 rese 29- ee Fold and cine 45 rase &-folc. ONS 8S MAY =newertak: lCneration HAROTACK (Fhase - Hew 2) Deeins at Enewetax and Tikini and : continues t"rough August. This series i wnciudes i2 nuclear tests ‘22 ac Enewe- i tak), ome test north of the Marshnail “stands and two hvdrogen tomos exolod- NUCLEAR CLOUD FROM ONE OF MANY : ed in the atmosphere near Jonnston Is- q »and., approximately 740 miles southwes: - TESTS IN THE PACIFIC. i Ot ‘lawaii. At Enewetax, Cactus test —_—_—_——_— 4 (May 5) is listed at 18 kilotons, Noa MAY 27 Enewetak: Ujelang Atoll, home of i test (Mav 13) at 1.37 megatons, and Oak the displaced Enewetak people, is con- } test “lune 23) at 9.9 megatens: infor- taminated with radioactive fallout from { mation on the other ctiasts remains cias- the Magnolia test. The size of this | Sliied. dlast remains classified, but indica- I tions are it is in the magaton range. : "Even though...the radioactive JUNE 11 Bikini: Ailinginae and Wotho contamination of Rongelap Island Atolls are contaminated with radio- is considered perfectly safe for active fallout from the Maple test. ' Auman Sabitation, the levels of activity are higher than those AUGUST 18 Enewetak: With the Fig test, found in cther inhabited locations the last explosion in Operation HARD- in the world. The habitation of TACK I, the U.S. concludes its nuclear these people on the island will testing program in the Marshall Islands, following 66 announced atomic and hy- $021005 afford most valuable ecological drogen bomb tests at Bikini (23) and Oe radiation data on human beings.” Enewetak (43), More than $2.5 billion en Brookhaven National Laboratory is spent during the testing program in ee 3-year report on Rongelap and Utirsk. the Marshalls. # CN th, 2 OSee 14 an Om 0 ts Oe ee Oe Oe RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1961 continued zone" for incoming Inter-Continental the 750 acre island, or about $10 per Ballistic Missiles shot from California. acre a year, and provides that the U.S. will “improve the economic and social conditions of the Marshallese people, “,..at is the conviction or the particularly at Ebeye..." United States that it has the re- Sponsibility not only to its people Kwajalein: The central two-thirds of but to all the peoples of the free Kwajalein's lagoon becomes a new "im- world to maintain at a maximum its pact area'' for missiles. Faced with capacity to deter aggression and several hundred inhabitants on the preserve peace. Thus it believes islands bounding this area, known as that...further tests are...abso- the "Mid-Corridor,'’ the Defense and dutely necessary for the eventual Interior Departments decide the "most well being of all the people of practical and economic solution to the this world.” range safety problem’ is to relocate U.S. statement to U.N. Trustee- the people to Ebeye Island. The Amny ship Council in response to a begins an “Ebeye Improvement Project,” petition from Marshall Islands which includes the construction of 78 ee@aders (April, 2956). cement block units each containing four one-room apartments, and also a sewer system, fresh and salt water 1963 Kwajalein: A case of polio in the distribution systems, and a power plant. No funding, however, is budgetced for American population on Kwajalein starts an epidemic in the northern Marshall maintenance and upkeep of these facii- Islands. Although the polio vaccine ities. was discovered 8 years earlier, no one had been given shots. 212 cases of DECEMBER Kwajalein: The first 28 apartment units are completed and as- severe residual paralysis resuitring Signed to the Mid-Corridor people. from polio are recorded among the 18,000 inhabirants of the Marshall Islands. The rate in the U. S. is about one patient with severe residual "We cannot make enough copra. paralysis per 1,000 cases of polio. The reason :s that the people have to eat it, and the rats also eat 2t...We also need sail cloth and "Land means a great deal to the other materials to equip our ca~ Marshallese. It means more than noes...The conditions on Ujelang just a place where you can plant are worse now...there are more your food crops and build your people now, especially children houses; or a place where you can who are too young to work or to . bury your dead. It is the very work hard, but who must also eat. life of the people. Take away their We did not complain when the Navy dand and their spirits go also." told us we had to leave our atoll Petition from Marshall Islands of Enewetak...We cooperated with j@aders to United Nations, March the Americans...Now we need help 1956. badly, we ask America for help in our suffering. Help us, or send us home," Enewetak leader on Ujelang,1969. 1964 Kwajalein: A 99 year lease for Kwajalein Island (the command base of the Pacific Missile Range) is signed by the Kwajalein landowners and the 1965 JANUARY Kwajalein: Marshallese from U. S. Government. The. lease provides the 13 inhabited Mid-Corridor islands $750,000, in "..- Several of my babies who 1960 Kwajalein: An “impact area" for were healthy at the time they were incoming missiles is established, ex- born died before they were a year tending from the southern tip of Kwaja- Oold...Altogetner I lost four ba- tein Atoll southwest 50 miles to Lib Is- bies. My son Winton was born just land, whose inhabitants must be relocat- one year after the bomb, and he ed. has had two operations on his throat for thyroid cancer.” Kwajalein: Radar, technical buildings, Minji Kel, Utirik Atoll. missile assembly and missile launching facilities are built on Kwajalein Is- land. Related radio receiving/trans- 1959 Rongelap: The Zongelap reocie aitting equipment and living quarters are warned by Brookhaven scientists not sre constructed on Gugeegue and Ennyla- co eat the plentiful coconut crabs, con- began islands, located on opposite sides sidered a delicacy in the Marshails. te- or the lagoon about 8 miles north ats cause of high radiation ievels. ‘So 1962 JULY Kwajalein: A Zeus missile successfully intercepts, for the first time, an ICBM shot from Vandenberg Air Force Base. 1963 Rongelap: The first thyroid tumors begin appearing among the Ronge- lap people exposed in 1954. Also, a higher than normal incidence of growth retardation among young Rongelapese is reported. 1964 Kwajalein: The prime user of (continued on page 18) BmnRmeeanees 16 ARESSSSSSSSeS Ss RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1965 continued are relocated from the hazard zone to 1967 Bikini: United States Government Ebeye. A payment of $25 a month is pro- agencies begin coneidering the possi- vided for each of the 194 people resid- bility of the Bikini people returning ing on the islands, although more than to their home atoll. 1,000 people have customary land rights in these islands. Bikini: An AEC study states of Bikini: "Well water could be used safely by the ost.ipePY natives upon their retum to Bikini.. Ai 4 ayEvehesa‘Ng1 Te appears that radioactivity in drink- ing water may be ignored from a radio-~ wy, logical safety standpoin:." Djelang: After twenty years, the pro- blems of the displaced Enewetak people on Ujelang have mounted until the situ- ation approaches a crisis. Field trip ships continue to be erratic in visits and materials for keeping sailing ca- noes operational are tadily needed. Co- pra production is low (only 1/3 of the 1952 level), as the trees are old and newly planted trees will not bear for five years or more. Althcugh cats have been brought in, rats are destroying the copra, and when supplies of rice and flour are exausted, the people eat the coconuts instead of making copra to BIKINI IN 1946: A SELF-SUFFICIENT sell. PEOPLE PRIOR TO THEIR RELOCATION BY THE NAVY IN 1946. Ujelang: Housing built by the Navy in Photo by Leonard Mason 1947 is severely deteriorated and there are no materials for repair or main- ap ——iip tenance. While the housing supply is Kwajalein: With increasing military less, the population has grown to 285. activity at Kwajalein, emplevment of The large community council house and Marshallese increases to 663 peopie. the copra warehouse blew down vears ago The population on Ebeye rises to 3,500 in a typhoon, and the sheet netal people. church and community center is rusting away. 1966 Kwajalein: The Ebeye population grows 1,000 in a year to 4,500 people, OCTOBER 20 Ujelang: A Trust Territory living on che available 66 acres (the supply ship arrives at Ujelang to find Coast Guard station on the tin of Ebeye the people with no copra to sell and uses 12 acres). no money to buy needed food and sup- plies. Almost all of the nearly 300 Kwajalein: An addendum to the 1964 Mid- people board the ship, demanding to Corridor Islands lease is negotiated, leave Ujelang for Majuro to protest to increasing subsistence payments to the the government that they have no food 194 displaced people on Ebeve from $25 and are starving. Ataji Balos, 4 to $40 a month. government official on board, after 7 hours of efforts to persuade the people JUNE Kwajalein: With the new impact area to give up their plan, agrees to stay for missiles in Kwajalein's lagoon, Lib with them on Ujelang, saying "If you Island, 50 miles south, is no longer in will die, I will die with you.” He the impact zone. Its residents are re- calis for help by radio and promises turned home after five years on Ebeye. (continued on page 19) 17 PRaaSaaswwe WEAPONS : . . . i: i : a a : : iu i ‘964 -onrtinued jj the missile range is the Army Z3allistic of Eniwetak (not to be confused with Missiie Defense program, which tests, Enewetak Atoll), Omelek, Gellinam and among others, the Minutemen, Titan, Po- Legan. On Ennylabegan, additional tel- OOH laris, Sprint, Spartan, Nike and Zeus emetry equipment is installed and live missiles. The range also supports Air ing quarters built. Force and Navy testing of ICBM's, Inter- mediate Range Balliscic Missiles, and Rongelap: The Rongelap peoples' body OO Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles. levels of radiation, which jumped in 1958 after living one year on their con- JULY 1 Kwajalein: Command of Kwajalein taminated islands, have remained at the is transferred from the Navy to the same level since then, according to Oo Army, and the missile range is renamed Brookhaven's 12 year report. "Kwajalein Test Site." At this time the range consists of facilities on five islands: Kwajalein, Roi-Namur, a Eniwetak, Sugeegue and Ennylabegan. 1966 JANUARY Rongelap: The U.S.Con- gress approves an ex-gratia payment of KWajalein: A new ‘impact area’ for in- $950,000 (approximately $11,000 per ca- coming Inter-Continentai Ballistic Mis- nita) to the exposed Rongelap people siles is established. The central :wo- “or injuries resulting from their ex- thirds of the lagoon, called the ‘Mid- posure in 1954. Corridor,’ is designated as the new target area because it is surrounded 5v JUNE Rongelap: Of the 29 children who< islands with nissile tracking and tes¢t- were under 10 years old in 1954 (includ- ing devices. The 47 islands, manv ia- ing « in utero during the fallouc) 15, OO nabited, that bound this part of the or 52% have developed thyroid abnormal- lagoon are in the hazarcous zone. The rties, wes a new target area provides a reccveryv DaSin tretected= from enemy catrols. Rongelap: A Bookhaven medical report DS shows little difference in radioacri- SEPTEMBER “waialein: President Lyndon vitv levels between those exposed in somnson anncunces the U.S. has an oper- 1954, and those who had not been chere ational svstem for shooting cown Sovierc in 1954, but moved back after 1957. Satellites, ceveloped from tests called Moreover, the body levels of radioacti- “Prozect -3°" begun in May 1263 at Xwa- vity of these previously unexposed Salein. Rongelapese was 10 times greater than sO that of Marshallese living on Kili Is- land in the southern Marshalls. a 1965 FEBRUARY Enewetak: The Air Force assumes control of the missile “One of the things that has nO range at fnewetak Atoll. bothered us over the years is the fact that the AEC doctors have Kwajalein: To gather information on the never bothered to explain our atmosphere re-entry of missiles fired problems to us--insteadthey treat from VandenSerg Air Force Base, a va~ uS aS if we were merely children riety of instrumentation and tracking and we resent that." 0S a facilities and helicopter landing pads Jirda Biton, Utirik Atoll. are built oa the Mid-Corridor islands oO bOZ10 1965 JULY The Congress of Micronesia, a territory-wide legislative body mod- eled on the U. S. Congress, holds its first session after being created by an no executive order of President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. (continued on page 20) so Laemmneneeneeeeoenes 8B esunagnaee Cans RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1967 continued food within two weeks. petition the Congress of Micronesia (COM), soliciting aid in "righting a NOVEMBER 3 vjelang: Tne supply ship grave injustice done’ by the U.S. gov- returns with food. ernment. Only 194 our of 1,470 Mid- Corridor landowners are eligible for DECEMBER Ujelang: After receiving in- compensation, amounting to $40 a month. formation on the Ujelang crisis, the The petition states: "Electric bills High Commissioner sets up a Rehabili- and house rentals exceed $40 each month tation Committee with one coordinator and already some of us have been threat- in Saipan and one in Majuro. ened with evicrion...Anyone bor since the relocation is not considered eligi- Ujelang: The people send thanks to ble for compensation...’ The Marshal- members of the Ebeye protestant chapel lese poinc out that they were accustom and to the Rongelap people for provid- ed to growing food on the "off-limits" ing them with clothing during the cri- islands, not possible on overcrowded $is on Ujelang. Ebeye. vjelang: A rat conrtrel srogram for Vie- Kwajalein: The Congress o: Micronesia -ang is set up using donations of £300 responds with a resolution requesting ‘rom visiting Americans to pay a bounty the Hien Commissioner to reopen nego- of 5¢ per rat to Ujelang people who tiarions on the amount of compensation Sring in dead rats to be tallied. for the Mid-Corridor people. vjeiang: The annual charity ¢rive col- SEPTEMBER Ujelang: The Marshall Islands section by Americans working on Enewe- Nitijela (legislature) passes Resolu- tak is given to the Trust Territory tion 16, addressed to the President of zor Ujelang relief. the Uniced States, the Trusteeship Council and others, concerning the 1968 JUNE 1 Ujelang: Five Ujelang lead- present conditions on Uielang and the ers petition the United Nations Trus- need for discussion to set a date for teeship Council to help them set a date the Ujelang people to retum to Enewe- zor the return of Enewetak Atoll to tak. zneir people. OCTOBER vielang: The peopie report they JUNE Ujelang: The people request that have left only 14 pounds ct rice and their Trust Fund be increased. [It is flour per person which will last only $150,000, yielding about $16 per person 3 weeks. They have no breadfruit or annually. edible pandanus. Ufelang representa- tives to the Nitijela say that if con- ditions "are not improved on Ujelang Bikini: President Lyndon Johnson pro- mises the 540 Bikinians living on Kili Atoll by January 1969, they will all and other islands a permanent return to get on a ship, come to Majuro and camp Bikini after the AEC concludes: "The in front of the administration build- ing." exposures to radiation thar would re- ee sult from the repatriation of the Biki- ee ni people do not offer a significant NOVEMBER 20 Ujelang: The people are out mer wr threat to their health and safety." of flour, rice, sugar and other import- ed foods. The recenc measle and chick- AUGUST Ujelang: The announcement that en pox epidemic was very serious and Bikini will be returned to its people ten deaths resulted. The people are causes deep resentment among the Ene- still waiting for materials for repair wetakese, who protest because they also and replacement of houses and community wish to return to their ancestral home. buildings. 5001210 Kwajalein: The Mid-Corridor landowners (continued on page 22) a 19 snaseamamememen WEAPONS TESTING 1SaS 1966 continued Rongelap: Brookhaven scientists take fense Nuclear Agency and the Air Force Marshallese food items from Rongelap sponsor the Pacific Cratering Experi- (pandanus fruit and coconuts) to the ments (PACE) on Enewetak. More than % U.S. to consume under laboratory con- 220 tons of explosives are brought to ditions. After several weeks' study, Enewetak for this series of tests which they report: ‘The intake of strontium will simulate nuclear bomb blasts. 90 over a seven day period vas twenry times higher chan normal and that of DECEMBER Rongelap: A Japanese medical cesium 137, sixty times higher than survey team, including a thyroid spe- normal." cialist, comes to the Marshall Islands at the request of Marshallese leaders 1968 APRIL Kwajalein: The Kwa- to conduct an “independent” medical jalein Test Site is renamedthe survey. The American Trust Territory "Kwajalein Missile Range" ‘KMR). administration refuses the medical 1969 OCTOBER The Congress of Micronesia, representing all six Micronesian cistricts, Segins negotiations with the United States to end the U.N. Trustee- snip in favor of a new political status. “S 1970 Xwajalein: Two additional ra- cars (ALCOR and ALTAIR) become opera- tional as part of the Hiernan Re-Entrv “€asurements Site (KREMS) on Roi Namur island, combining with the TRADEX ra- dar (completed in 1963) to track mis- siles re-entering the earth's atmos- pnere. APRIL Xwajalein: tTilleginni Island in ne Mid-Corricor 1S selected as the Site for SPARTAN and SPRINT missile launches. The Illeginni facility is constructed and is controlled from Meck zS.and 17 miles across the lagoon. Xonrad P. Ketrady, M.D.: "The Army'S position was sum- med up to me one day when a hicgh- level command officer at Kwaja- -@1n remarked that the sole pur- . _ -7 _« - 7 Cans PP . wsoe a 2100S _7 Pl pose of the Army at Kwajalein is to test missile systems. They ROI NAMUR ISLAND IN THE NORTHERN LI PART OF KWAJALEIN ATOLL IS ‘A MAJOR i Nave no concern for the Marshal~ TRACKING STATION. i dese and that it is not of any RADAR AND MISSILE emportance to their being at <= 5 Xwajalein.” i team permi ision to travel to Rongelap s and Ucirik in what che administration i 1971 SEPTEMBER Enewetak: The De- terms as visa problems. The Japanese, i (continued on page 22) LBRReee20 REESSSSSSSee RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1969 JANUARY Ujelang: USDA feeding pro- “removal of all test related debris gram for Ujelang is authorized to begin with disposal at sea of all radioactive with shipment from Saipan on January i6. debris.'' The three dump sites are located less than one mile from islands JANUARY Kwajalein: The Congress of Mi- in the atoll. cronesia again "supports the griev- ances of the Mic-Corridor and supports OCTOBER Bikini: The cleanup phase is their efforts to return to their is- finished. The phase two rehabiltcation lands." The COM votes to send a re- encounters serious problems with the presentative to accompany the neople withdrawal of military personnel and if they attempt to return in defiance equipment and the end of weekly air of che lease agreement. service to Kwajalein. APRIL 21 Kwajalein: Mid~Corridor resi- Bikini: Following the limited radiolo- dents living on Ebeye issue an ultima- gical cleanup, Bikini is declared safe tum to the High Commissioner demanding for reoccupation. The AEC states: that the U.S. compensate all the vseople “There's virtually no radiation left and allow them access to their isianas and we can find no discernible effect for food growing, or they will return on either plane or animal life." to their islands without permission. The Arwy and Trust Territory govern- ment believe the Marshallese are bluf- "Y was disturbed by the ‘demand’ fing and ignore the warming. of the immediate commitment of all agencies, all funding and all per- Kwajalein: Of 669 Mid-Corridor landown- sonnel by January 721. JI am sure ers who had voted to return, 21 protest you must realize that such a time- with a sail~in to their islands, report- table 1s unrealistic...I am as much edly forcing cancellation of «wo missile concerned as anyone, but I am not test operations. going to be stampeded or panicked by a January 21 deadline or strike Rwajalein: Promising action to negotiate threat...” their demands, the Trust Territory re- High Commissioner Norwood's re- turns the 31 Mid-Corridor people to sponse to proposal for action Ebeye, after six days of illegal scccupy- on the Ujelang crisis, i969. ing their islands. AUGUST 19 Ujelang: Protests of the Ene- 1970 FEBRUARY Ujelang: Ujelang repre- wetak people stimulate the U.S. Congress sentatives have a series of meetings to provide a trust fund of $1.02 million with Trust Territory officials in Sai- to try to stop their efforts to retum pan to'work out agreements on requests to Enewetak. for Ujelang. The people are assured funds for permanent housing if it is Bikini: The Bikini cleanup and reset- determined within the next five years tlement is planned to extend over a that a return to Enewetak is not pos- period of eight years to allow for matu- sible. ration of coconuts and other crops. The cry Atomic Energy Commission and Defense De- MARCH Kwajalein: Untreaced sewage 1a c> Partment plan the first phase: cleanup piped directly into the lagoon near co of radioactive debris on Bikini. The Ebeye. A Trust Territory health re- — Trust Territory government assumes re- port stacea: ''...The shoreline water m> sponsibility for the second phase: re- is grossly polluted; most of the san —- planting the atoll, constructing houses ple pointes being over one million times MO and relocating the community. the least acceptable standard set by Cuam. re Bikini: The radiation cleanup includes (continued on page 23) 1 | naneneeeeeeees WEAPONS TESTING (Bmw Eeeeeeeee ee _ 197] continued a thererore, a stay on Majuro and one doc- | 1973 after completing certain ‘umspeci- a tor comments: ‘The team was welcomed Sted activities” currently underway on a by the islanders who strongly desired the atoll. our investigation work.” G a ag “Time and again the committee a found that the people did not a understand anything about their a exposure, che possible effects on i themselves and to their children a and on their environment.” G Congress of Micronesia Report a \ on Rongelap and Utirik, Febru~ om S x ary, 2973, ‘ Lb i