Oops, Our Bad! We Nuked Your Coral Atoll

On July 25, 1946 at 8:34 a.m. local time, Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands was rocked by the underwater detonation of a 23 kiloton atomic bomb. This was the second test explosion of Operation Crossroads, a test conducted by the United States Navy to study the affects of nuclear weapons on ships, equipment, and material. The first detonation (Test ABLE) had taken place on July 1, with an aerial detonation of nuclear device at an altitude of 520 feet. The July 25 underwater detonation (Test BAKER) used a device anchored 90 feet underwater, sealed in a watertight steel caisson. For the test, a target fleet of 90 vessels was assembled, including old and surplus U.S. warships as well as three captured German and Japanese ships. The U.S. Navy unconditionally moved the people of Bikini off their atoll to facilitate the nuclear testing program.

Sixty-one years later, Marshall Islands residents continue to call on the US Congress to provide adequate nuclear test compensation. In fact, Congress has been sitting on nuclear compensation legislation since its introduction in 2000. Does it come as a surprise to anyone that this administration reacts with arrogant defiance to calls for compensation? As reported in Pacific Magazine, U.S. Department of Interior official Tom Bussanich told the Senate panel that the Bush Administration does not support any part of the proposed legislation including funding for health care because the U.S. government has satisfied all of its obligations for compensation and health care to islanders affected by the weapons testing.

How do you put a price on fair compensation after nuking the bejesus out of someones island home?

Requested compensation would fund a health program for Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap and Utrik--the four atolls heavily impacted by the 67 American nuclear tests conducted. Additionally, funding would provide for ongoing radiological monitoring. Currently, the bill--S. 1756: Republic of the Marshall Islands Supplemental Nuclear Compensation Act of 2007--is in the first stage of the legislative process where the bill is considered in committee and may undergo significant changes in markup sessions. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D-NM] has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee.