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Rongelap Mayor James Matayoshi visited the US capital
September 12-14 for a meeting with RMI, US Congress and
executive branch officials hosted by the Department of the
Interior, to follow up on Congressional hearings on Section
177 changed circumstances issues and the nuclear testing
legacy. “This meeting focused on human needs related to
the nuclear testing program, instead of legal and budget
issues,” Matayoshi said. “Getting Congress, the
administration and the RMI together to have an honest
discussion about what is actually needed is long overdue,
and should have been done years ago.
“But better late than never, and the discussion was very
constructive. The RMI position on health care needs and
payment of claims was effectively presented, but the road to
actual measures to meet needs will be a hard one.”
Matayoshi also met with Department of Interior officials,
who informed the Rongelap delegation that its fiscal year
2006 budget was approved by Congress.
In addition, DOI notified the Matayoshi that $1.7 million
will be deposited in the Rongelap Resettlement Trust Fund on
October 1, 2005, as the second of three installment payments
for food importation for families who decide to resettle
Rongelap Island based on a determination that safety
standards can be met.
The final $1.7 million for the food program at Rongelap
will be deposited in October 2006.
DOI and RALGov also agreed on a plan to use a $300,000.
grant as a US contribution to build visitor quarters for
scientists at Rongelap, which will also serve as an
eco-tourism lodge to promote tourist related job creation.
“All in all it was a successful trip to Washington for
RALGov, and we want to thank the RMI Embassy for its support
for our success,” said Matayoshi. |
