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Friday, November 7, 2008
Contact Us

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
Bellu puts Post Office into auditable state
Marshall Islands Postal Service Authority revenues nearly doubled from fiscal year 2007 to 2008, according to a recently released annual report. The unaudited financial figures show the RMI PO generated $483,089 in FY2008 (year ending September 30) compared to $262,184 the previous year. Mail volumes also jumped from 2007 to 2008. A total of 280,199 pounds of mail came into the RMI in FY2007 while higher cost US international mailing rates were in effect. The Post Office statistics show that after the lower domestic rates were restored in late November 2007, incoming mail volumes began skyrocketing. Overall, the RMI received 524,694 pounds of mail in FY2008 — an 87 percent increase in incoming mail volume compared to 2007.
RMI nixes US at UN
The Marshall Islands abstained in a key vote at the United Nations late last week, abandoning more than 15 years of supporting the United States government’s embargo against Cuba. Foreign Minister Tony deBrum told the Journal, “we didn’t vote against the US,” and described the vote cast by RMI’s UN Ambassador Phillip Muller as “neutral.” Although he described the RMI’s vote as an “aberration,” US Ambassador Clyde Bishop agreed with deBrum that the vote did not represent a deterioration in US-RMI relations.
Vote report translated
The Commission of Inquiry report on the 2007 national election is now being translated for broader public awareness. Nitijela Clerk Joe Riklon confirmed that Nitijela staff is now translating the document from English to Marshallese. Plans are also in motion for the Nitijela’s Judiciary and Government Affairs Committee, chaired by Kwajalein Senator Jeban Riklon, to hold public hearings both here and in the US on the report.
Forgotten generation
In a recently published report, “Responding to the Youth Crisis,” Ben Graham writes that despite the Marshall Islands having a majority of its population in the under 20 age group since the 1980s, government planning, policies and services do not reflect the needs of this youthful population. The case study of the RMI, written by Graham and published by the Asian Development Bank, points out that half of the current population of about 54,000 is under 18.
MIR sale
Kiwi firm to prepare bid
The government-owned Marshall Islands Resort is for sale by the RMI government. Chief Secretary Casten Nemra told the
Journal Wednesday that the government has selected a New Zealand firm to appraise the hotel and prepare bid information for prospective buyers. “We’re close to bringing in a firm to prepare the bid,” Nemra said. The aim, he said, is to appraise and then liquidate the Marshall Islands Resort as a government asset. Nemra said the RMI had chosen a New Zealand firm that competed with three others, from the Philippines, US and Guam, for the job.
“They offered the best turnaround time and lowest cost,” he said of the NZ firm. Nemra said the government is working to secure the needed funds to bring in the appraisers. From the point they hit the island, it is expected to be just two weeks to a finished bid product, so Nemra hopes this will be done before the end of 2008 so the bid process can be announced to interested buyers. In recent weeks, investors from Australia, Taiwan and Japan expressed interest in the Marshall Islands Resort, according to RMI officials. The hotel was built in 1996 by PII under contract with the RMI government to host the Pacific Islands Forum annual leaders meeting that was hosted by RMI for the first time that year.
Tony deBrum knocks deals
By GIFF JOHNSON
Foreign Minister Tony deBrum on Tuesday expressed concern to the Journal about government corruption and his hope that leaders will not revert to the old way of operating when it comes to possible business deals involving government assets. “Anytime there is a big, attractive deal, there is a tendency to go back to the old way of trying to be ‘in on the deal,’” deBrum said in reference to high-level government officials involvement in deals with private companies interested in fuel options in the RMI. “We’ve come a long way not to engage in deals of benefit to people in government and we should continue to refrain from doing so.” DeBrum commented on a Journal editorial in last week’s edition, “Back door deals on fuel?” saying that all “deals under discussion should be discussed openly and thoroughly with the RMI government’s Energy Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary (Casten Nemra).”
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Journal 10/73
Journal 10/83
P1 In terms of major crimes, the Trust Territory is a very safe place to live, and the Yap District is safest of all. The number of homicides committed in the TT during fiscal year 1971 actually declined from the previous year, from eight to five, and in the other areas of serious crime, violence and aggravated assault and theft with violence, the increase in reported cases was very slight:
P1 The Marshall Islands is lucky, and in this unfortunate turn of events, the Republic of Nauru is unlucky. Why are the Marshalls lucky? Because we have the opportunity to repay a debt that we incurred from our neighbors to the south. When Majuro was inundated with its tidal storm in late 1979, it was
the people of Nauru who first came to our aid with fresh water in drums, and with a donation of not only equipment but also operators, to help clear away the debris. They were there when we needed them, and, thank God, we can be here when they apparently need us. Need us for what? Just a port in a storm, a financial storm. Just some space in our lagoon. Apparently their Enna G is in a state of difficulty, and rather than post the ship off Nauru, they sent their ship here because they felt they could depend on Marshallese understanding and help. That’s what friendship is about, what makes songs. And there sits Enna G in our harbor, as long as she wants, welcome and accepted.
altogether, there were just 23 violent felonies committed in the Trust Territory during FY1971, as compared with 22 during the previous fiscal year.
P1 The Trust Territory is becoming more and more dependent on imports from other countries, while the value of her own exports is going down. Tourism, however, is increasing in importance as a source of revenue. From July 1, 1970 to June 30, 1971, the TT imported goods valued at just over $26.1 million, an increase over fiscal year 1970 of approximately 25 percent. Exports, on the other hand, were valued at just over $3 million, a drop of approximately 25 percent from 1970.
Journal 10/98
P1 Finance Minister Tony deBrum introduced the $80.8 million budget into the Nitijela, calling on legislators to approve a package that includes no pay cuts for government workers and increased health and education funding.
P1 US officials have restated the eligibility criteria for disaster food for Majuro, making it clear that DUD residents are not eligible. “Unfortunately it appears that some leaders on Majuro may see this emergency food effort as something other than what it was designed to be: supplemental food for those whose subsistence crops were directly impacted by the drought,” said William L. Carwile of FEMA.
P3 National police impounded a government vehicle over the weekend that was being driven without proper authorization. New Justice Minister Hemos Jack says this is to get more police action.