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Friday, November 28, 2008
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(692) 625-8143
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PO Box 14 Majuro, MH 96960 Marshall Islands
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On the ocean road behind Formosa in Uliga, Majuro
New optimism
on US relations
UN steps in its programs in RMI
Three United Nations agencies opened their first office in Majuro Wednesday this week with a big crowd and a nationally broadcast program. With the weight of the UN’s new “Joint Presence Initiative” now ready to focus on needs in the RMI, President Litokwa Tomeing challenged Marshall Islanders with a question: “Are we ready to do our part to help ourselves?” The President’s remarks came during the official opening of the new second-floor UN office at the G&L’s lagoonside complex. Highlighting the event was the presence of Najib Assifi, the UN Population Fund’s Pacific Representative, Dr. Isiye Ndombi, UNICEF’s Pacific Representative, and Toily Kurbanov, the UN Development Program’s Deputy Representative. All are based in Fiji.
US-RMI defense talks in Majuro
The annual US-RMI defense meeting will be held in Majuro next month. The Compact established the Joint Committee Meeting, which meets each year to talk over defense-related issues. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in the US in July, but was delayed at the request of the RMI government because of the declaration of economic emergency. It is now scheduled for December 10.
Imata sues over Bikini revenue
Iroijlaplap and former President Imata Kabua has taken his own people to court because they refuse to recognize and pay him what he says he is both customarily and legally due. Last Wednesday, Kabua filed suit against Bikini Atoll Local Government, asking the High Court to confirm his right to one third of all money generated from Bikini Atoll and to freeze any Bikini payments from such revenue.
SK fuel on its
way to Majuro
About 2.1 million gallons of diesel fuel were loaded on an SK Networks tanker this past weekend for shipment to Majuro. MEC General Manager Billy Roberts told the Journal that this fuel shipment is less expensive than the last one ordered in October, which will lead to further reductions in electric rates starting January 1.
Bwera's MBC case to trial
Victor Milne’s lawsuit against Marshalls Broadcasting Company, the United Micronesian Development Corporation and Tony deBrum is moving to trial following a High Court ruling earlier this month. Chief Justice Carl Ingram denied a motion from MBC, UMDA and deBrum to dismiss Milne’s case, saying that Milne’s suit brought forth information sufficient for a claim to be heard.
By GIFF JOHNSON
President Litokwa Tomeing (pictured) is overseeing strong efforts to resolve long outstanding matters with the United States government, and signs from the US are positive, according to his top aides. These include taking action on nuclear test compensation and the Kwajalein land use agreement as top priority issues with the US government, his aides say. “The willingness of US Ambassador Clyde Bishop to engage with the President and convey his concerns and positions to Washington has added to the President’s optimism about the process (of resolving key issues),” an official in the President’s Office told the Journal Tuesday. “The US Ambassador and the Embassy have been extremely cooperative and supportive.” President’s Office officials said
Tomeing has taken on the nuclear test compensation situation “as his own issue.” Last month, during a regional health symposium sponsored by the US Interior Department, the President met with US Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne, specifically bringing up the need to restart compensation payments. Kempthorne promised to personally bring the issue to the attention of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Last month marked the third consecutive October with no annual payment for the more than 2,000 Marshall Islanders with outstanding compensation payments due, the officials said. The President has formally proposed to the US that $1.2 million per year be taken from Compact sector grants as an interim measure until a plan is put in place to complete payments for the $22.6 million still due to nuclear-affected islanders, many of whom have died without receiving 100 percent of their compensation. “It’s imperative that the compensation payments be made,” the officials said. “It’s become a serious humanitarian issue.” Discussions to resolve the stalemate for a new land use agreement (LUA) at Kwajalein are also at the top of the President’s agenda, his aides say. Following discussions with Kwajalein leaders and their own internal consultations, Kwajalein leaders issued a letter to President Tomeing last month outlining their core concerns. Immediately following receipt of this letter, Tomeing met with Bishop to discuss the issues, the aides said. “Encouraging dialog took place,” his aides said. Following these discussions, last week, the President sent a letter on the LUA issue to President George Bush. “The President does not see this as an adversarial situation with the US,” the aides told the Journal. “He wants to sit with the US as longstanding friends to work out an arrangement that is satisfactory to everyone.” If there is no new LUA by December 17, the Compact agreement requires the US President to submit a report to the Congress about US intentions for future use of Kwajalein beyond 2016, any plans to relocate activities carried out there, and on disposition of the funds held in escrow — now estimated at over $20 million. “The last thing President Tomeing wants is for the US President to report that we can’t resolve (the LUA),” Tomeing’s aides told the Journal. “The President believes nothing is insurmountable to two countries with common interests and goodwill.”
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Tomeing to change EPA board?
President Litokwa Tomeing is considering changing the composition of the RMI EPA board of directors this week in the wake of a report from the Attorney General that an earlier action by Cabinet, which named a new five-member board, did not follow the law and the RMI Constitution. Government officials confirmed Wednesday that new appointments are now being reviewed. Tomeing asked the Attorney General’s office for an opinion “on the ‘purported’ appointment of the current EPA board members,” Attorney General Filimon Manoni told the Journal this week. “Based on our review of the EPA Act and the Constitution, it is clear that authority to appoint the members of the EPA Board is the prerogative of the President, not the Cabinet,” Manoni said. The appointment of the current board was made while the President was off-island in September. “The
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prerogative to appoint belongs to the President, exercised by way of an instrument of appointment,” Manoni said, adding he has not seen any instrument of appointment. “The Cabinet Minute, if of any value, merely constitutes an endorsement, not an appointment, and as such renders the constitution of the current EPA Board questionable.”
SMOKING IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN (Kobatat jikka enana nan ajiri ro)
Father: Here is five bucks for you to go to school, okay? Son: Oh man, what about money for cigarettes, I'll be desperate to want to smoke and I need to smoke five cigarettes. Father: What are you saying boy? Son: Nothing. Father: Are you smoking? Okay, better watch out because if I see you smoking, I'm going to beat you up. Son (thinking): What the heck! I will get on the bus to school and I'll buy cigarettes until I'm out of money.
Journal 11/73
Journal 11/83
P1 One of the local farmers of Majuro was quite upset recently over an incident involving the DUD Municipal police. According to the farmer, the police illegally pursued a speeding driver into Laura Municipality. “Someone must teach these police that their jurisdiction ends at the limit of the Municipality,”
P1 Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Tony deBrum and Deputy Secretary Phillip Muller appear to have won themselves two of the seats out of Majuro’s 15 candidates running for Majuro’s five seats in the Nitijela. Minister of Finance Toke Sawej, Minister of Social Services Jina Lavin and Vice Speaker Henry Samuel are vying for the fifth seat. Incumbent Amata Kabua received the highest vote and Hemos Jack was second.
P3 The Airline of the Marshalls 748 made a test flight to Kosrae State to inspect the new airport
before it makes charter flights to the state. The Kosrae state government wants to charter the airplane to take people for the new dock and airport dedication ceremonies slated for December 9. On board AMI’s maiden Kosrae flight were Laurence Edwards of Foreign Affairs, Ywao Elanzo from Transporation and Communications, and Assistant Press Secretary Fred Pedro.
P2 Campaign ’83 has come to an end and most people are looking forward to 1984. I for one am looking forward to the year 1987. Yes, you guessed it right. I’m running for Nitijela. In fact, with this column my campaign has begun. I know you all want honest senators. To that end I’ll be frank with you and (I don’t see why I should lie about this) say here and now that I’m dying to be a senator. To be a big shot for once. Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Akio and I’m running for Nitijela and I need your votes and money. Won’t you be kind and join the Committee to put Akio in Nitijela in 1987? — Akio Heine
said the outraged farmer. The farmer was upset primarily because the police have to make a big show and break the law themselves when they could just take down the number of the car and talk to the driver later like gentlemen. The outraged farmer in this tale of woe is none other than Sir Isaac Lanwi. Aside from being a simple farmer, Lanwi also claims to be a rancher and, according to some reports, a redesigner of roads.
P1 The Ponape District Legislature has passed a resolution requesting of the High Commissioner that he prevent the building of the proposed Continental-Travelodge hotel in their district because it was not harmonious with Ponpean culture.
Journal 11/98
P1 The Marshall Islands and Taiwan established formal diplomatic ties last Friday in a move that surprised both local residents and diplomats alike. The Marshall Islands is currently the only country in the world that has diplomatic ties with both China and Taiwan, but the PRC is vehemently opposed to recognition of Taiwan. News agencies reported that the Marshall Islands received cash and investment pledges worth “hundreds of millions of dollars” in exchange for recognition of Taiwan. The People’s Republic of China Embassy in Majuro condemned the action, saying the Marshall Islands had “openly sabotaged” its relations with Beijing. Local reaction, however, was more positive, with both political and business leaders indicating that commercial ties with Taiwan would be welcomed.
P3 Medicine and dentistry don’t seem to be attracting many Marshall Islanders — but they need to be, according to Majuro Hospital officials who spoke to College of the Marshall Islands students at a career day program. “There is a shortage of
doctors here compared to the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau,” said Dr. Masao Korean, the chief of staff at the hospital. Since he graduated from the Fiji School of Medicine in 1972, there have been no other Marshallese graduates (from that school).