Subscribe today for just $1 an issue on an annual basis of $52!
E-mail:
journal@ntamar.net
Phone:
(692) 625-8143
(692) 625-8146
Fax:
(692) 625-3136
Mail:
PO Box 14
Majuro, MH 96960
Marshall Islands
In Person:
On the ocean road
behind Formosa
in Uliga, Majuro
$3.6m from US
During December the RMI Ministry of Finance received Compact-funded payments from the United States government totaling $3,652,497. These payments were for Compact sector grants and Compact infrastructure projects for December, the 177 Health Care Program, FY06 carryover grants, and the Enewetak Food and Agriculture Program.
Cohen
leaves key role
David Cohen has turned in his resignation at Interior after five-and-a-half years heading the Office of Insular Affairs. He’s been the Bush Administration’s most visible spokesman in the islands as his office oversees implementation of Compact II. Cohen will be heading for private legal practice when he leaves Interior at the end of January.
TRC: Alab Dribo urged to share $$
The Traditional Rights Court on Thursday handed down a major land ruling that affects hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent payments at the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll. TRC Presiding Judge Berson Joseph and Judges Botlang Loeak and Kalemen Jinuna ruled for Stephen Dribo in the high-profile land dispute, ruling that he is alab. But in an unprecedented action, the TRC also told Dribo that he should share the proceeds from his land with two of the intervenors in the case, Ezra Riklon and Billiet Edmond, giving them one-quarter shares of the money he receives as alab.
Likiep and Maloelap poll watchers, roll up your sleeves, there will be vote counting again next week Thursday.Officials with both winning campaigns — Tom Kijiner, who won by four votes, and Mike Konelios, who won by just one vote — expressed concern to the Journal about the recount plans. Chief Electoral Officer Carl Alik reportedly informed the candidates by letters dated Monday this week that there will be recounts for both atolls on “the evening of January 3.” No other recounts were announced. On Monday December 24, Alik’s office issued the final unofficial results for mayor and council seats, and also revised final unofficial totals for Ailinglaplap, Jaluit, Likiep, Majuro, Namdrik, Rongelap and Utrik Nitijela races — which changed marginally because of votes from Rongelap and Bikini counted last week Wednesday. This gives Nitijela candidates from those atolls until January 3 to file petitions with Electoral for recounts or other concerns. Except for a lawsuit brought by David Strauss on behalf of seven US-based Marshallese voters, no other court challenges had been filed as the Journal went to press this week.
|
Happy
New Year to all our Marshall Islands Journal readers! |
|||
the injustice
Santa (aka Bill Weza) loved his roll in the spotlight so much that he suited up Friday and again Monday this week over at Entertainment Center to give the kids a thrill. Photo Douglas Henry.
“The trial court’s holding that the claims were both too late and too early misunderstands the essence of the constitutional injury,” the Bikini brief said.
Catholics
The Vatican announced Friday a changing of the guard for the Catholic Church in the Marshall Islands.
On Friday, Monsignor James Gould, SJ, who has been the apostolic prefect for the Marshall Islands since 1993, stepped down as Fr. Raymundo Sabio was named to take his place as apostolic prefect.
|
To read the full stories, subscribe to the Journal Online. Just $1 an issue on an annual basis of $52.
|