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Friday, March 21, 2008
More Kwaj job
cuts coming
While Nitijela members on Tuesday argued over who should shoulder the blame for job cutbacks at Kwajalein, more bleak job news was provided by the Army at the weekend. More than half of the Marshallese workforce at Kwajalein will lose up to 20 percent of their weekly hours — not 10 percent as reported March 7 by the Journal. Further cuts in the Marshallese workforce — beyond the expected 89 — may happen later this year in anticipation of continuing budget cuts for fiscal year 2009.
Boy Scouts
doing great
A high-level Boy Scouts of America delegation wrapped up a swing through Micronesia with a three-day visit to the Marshall Islands.Bob Mazucca, head of Boy Scouts of America, said he was impressed with the program in Majuro and will be returning home to identify more resources to help the Boy Scouts advance in the RMI.
Eni to visit Ebeye
US Congressional Representative Eni Faleomavaega will visit Ebeye next week before flying to Majuro. Foreign Minister Tony deBrum announced in Nitijela Tuesday that Faleomavaega will meet with Kwajalein officials and visit Ebeye to meet with people there next Tuesday and then fly to Majuro later in the week.
Ni-hao to the
ROC navy
Bad weather forced a two-day delay in the arrival of the Taiwan navy goodwill squadron, rescheduling it to Thursday morning this week. The three vessels and nearly 1,000 sailors and officers will arrive at Delap Dock for an opening ceremony at about 8:30 am Thursday. From 9:30 am to 4 pm Thursday and Friday one of the vessels will be open to public tours.
Tomeing headed
to Japan
President Litokwa Tomeing is scheduled to make an official visit to Japan in early April, with meetings scheduled with the Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. The trip, described to the Journal by Minister in Assistance Chris Loeak as a “working visit,” is aiming to get a range of aid projects on track for the RMI.

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
RMI's newest attorney
Elanzo Elbon is the newest Marshallese attorney, law degreed, bar-examed, sworn in and ready for action. Chief Justice Carl Ingram swore in Elbon earlier this week, while his father, Chief Clerk of Courts Walter Elbon, held the Bible for the ceremony.
Imata Kabua: I want bucks from Bikini
If Bikini Atoll Local Government refuses to pay Iroij Imata Kabua (right) his one-third share of money generated by the dive business at Bikini, it must shut down its operations immediately. That’s the message delivered by Kabua in a blunt, one-page letter to Bikini Mayor Kataejar Jibas late last week. The local government “has used my land on Bikini for government purposes and commercial ventures,” Kabua said. “All this has been done without my permission or consent.” The KBE Council has “not even had the decency” to ask permission, he said. Kabua, referring to a Nitijela law passed in 1994 declaring that the descendants of Iroijlaplap Jeimata Kabua are the chiefs for Bikini, said he’s entitled to one-third of any money realized from Bikini, its land, waters and sky. He also asked for a full accounting of all money collected by the local council. If the council doesn’t comply, “then all use of my land and waters at Bikini Atoll must stop and all monies due must be paid immediately,” he said.
JAL gives us the green light
Japan Airlines has not given up on charter flights to Majuro. In fact, it’s just the opposite. JAL’s executive advisor and Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Japan Chapter Nobutaka Ishikure told the Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce on Friday that JAL is taking a long-term approach to developing Majuro and the Marshall Islands as a viable destination. Ishikure said JAL officials had their best-ever meetings with the RMI Ports Authority and top-level elected officials, encouraging JAL to move forward. Under consideration is 2008’s first charter flight for August, and more to follow.
Nobutaka Ishikure
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Good intentions + plenty of energy + a cup of creativity + a teaspoon of sweat = a fantastic landscaping effort by the Women’s Athletic Club at the Uliga park by the old tennis courts last Friday as part of the Tourism Week beautification program. From left: Miram deBrum, Risi Graham, Iva Roberto, Ruth Kaminaga and Nika Wase. Photo Suzanne Chutaro.
The stories shown here are just a sample from this week's paper.