2 Mar 2007

Marshall Islanders mark anniversary of hydrogen bomb test

10:45 am on 2 March 2007

Several hundred Marshall Islands nuclear test victims and their supporters gathered in Majuro yesterday to mark the 53rd anniversary of the detonation of "Bravo" the largest hydrogen bomb ever tested

Many speakers talked about the cancers, thyroid problems and other health problems that have resulted from the tests, as well as the displacement of islanders from the atolls of Bikini and Rongelap.

Many of them have filed claims seeking multi-billion dollar compensation payments from the U.S. government,

The U.S. government says the $270 million provided from 1986 to 2003 is a full and final settlement of all

nuclear claims.

But islanders say this money, and health care funding has been woefully inadequate.