US Congress briefed on nuclear testing

From The Marshall Islands Journal
October 24, 2003

In a statement, the RMI Embassy said it worked with the House Caucus on Insular and International Affairs to arrange the briefing.

Members of the Caucus sit on both the House Resources and House International Relations committees.

Two speakers provided information about the aftermath of the US nuclear weapons testing program in the RMI to committee staffers. Dr. Holly Barker from the RMI Embassy, who has recently published a book on the US nuclear program here, briefed Congressional staffers on the history of the testing program, including the health and environmental effects of the testing program.

Barker also discussed the components of the RMI’s changed circumstances petition to Congress, a petition requesting additional assistance from the US government to address the damages and injuries resulting from the testing program.

Dr. Thomas Lum from Congressional Research Services provided an accounting of Congressional assistance to the RMI and local governments for problems resulting from the US nuclear weapons testing program.

The Embassy said the briefing was well-attended, and Congressional staffers asked several questions after the presentations by Barker and Lum. There are also plans for a follow-up briefing that will take a closer look at the contents of the RMI’s changed circumstances petition, the Embassy said. The Embassy is working with the House committees to prepare for and plan a Congressional hearing on the subject early next year.

“Our friends in Congress have indicated that they want to pass the Compact before addressing the RMI’s changed circumstances petition,” said RMI Ambassador Banny deBrum after the briefing. “The Congressional briefings and the planning for a Congressional hearing indicate to us that Congress is serious about responding to the RMI’s petition.”

Representatives from Bikini and Rongelap atolls were also in attendance at the hearing.