Topic: RMINews

Marshall Islands Officials Set to Travel for April Meetings

Republic of the Marshall Islands government officials, from the President to departmental managers, are scheduled for off-island trips and meetings next month. April travel plans for RMI officials include Indonesia, New Caledonia, Guam and San Francisco.

President Kessai H. Note is one of two heads of state noted as guests of honor for the Asia-Pacific Business Forum 2006 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The UNESCAP-sponsored event at the Jakarta Convention Centre, April 7-8, will include two general assemblies, workshops and a gala dinner. President Note is scheduled to participate in a panel discussing "Pacific connectivity through public-private partnerships."

Runway Re-paving Operation Underway at Marshall Islands International Airport

The Majuro runway rehabilitation project is scheduled for completion in August 2006, five months behind schedule. The project hung in the balance for several months after Anderson Asphalt of Hong Kong was awarded the contract in July 2005. Another company, which had submitted a lower bid, unsuccessfully challenged the award in court.

Some Majuro residents objected to the location and potential environmental consequences from the asphalt factory and dredging. Although the pavement work at the airport is currently impacting tourism and business, it is vital for continued air service in the Marshalls, say officials.

Marshall Islands College Builds New Campus and Reputation

The College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) stands poised to begin building a new campus and a new reputation, which will serve the people of the RMI as their national college for the next generation, said CMI President Wilson G. Hess, in an open letter to the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

"We are also in the midst of a wide variety of improvements that will impact educational opportunities at CMI, spreading throughout the country and, indeed, the Pacific," he said.

Nitijela Internship Program Announcement and First Interns

Beginning this year and continuing in subsequent years, the Nitijela (the legislative body of the Republic of the Marshall Islands) will employ student interns from Marshall Islands High School and give them the privilege of working closely with senators and other public servants in matters of national importance. Nitijela Intern responsibilities will include performing research about bills and resolutions, visiting government agencies to collect information, observing Nitijela sessions, committee meetings, and public hearings, and attending government functions.

Marshall Islands Puts Freeze on General Fund Spending

AUDIO: Finance Secretary denies financial crisis reports

Marshall Islands dismisses reports of cash crisis

Tax Shortfall Triggers Marshalls Fiscal Crisis

It's Freezing in Marshalls Again

RMI FY2006 Budget Schedules (including General Fund)

Marshall Islands: Chamber President Promotes Public and Private Sector Cooperation

The new president of the Majuro Chamber of Commerce wants to encourage cooperation and communication between the private sector and the public sector. Over 25,000, one-half of the Marshall Islands' population, live on Majuro Atoll, the government and commerce center of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

In remarks before the Chamber last week, President Jack Niedenthal said his goal is to build upon the work of his predecessor, Francis Carlos Domnick, promoting constructive dialogue between the Chamber and the RMI Government.

Marshall Islands Becomes 203rd National Olympic Committee

The Marshall Islands have become officially the 203rd member of the Olympic Movement. This decision was taken February 9, 2006, in Turin by the 118th Session of the IOC.

New Accreditation Status Good News for College of Marshall Islands

Representatives of the Accrediting Commission on Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC or “the Commission”) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) announced today that the College of the Marshall Islands had been removed from “Show Cause” status.

In a letter dated January 31, 2006, Dr. Barbara Beno, President of the ACCJC, said “the college is to be commended for having made considerable progress on meeting the Eligibility Requirements and Standards.” The letter was based upon a Commission decision taken on January 13th in closed session.

ALSO: Marshall Islands President Committed to Assisting College

Marshall Islands' Adventures Promoted at Travel Show

Representatives from the Republic of the Marshall Islands were among 500 leading exhibitors, from all parts of the world, at the 2006 Los Angeles Travel Expo this weekend. Few traveled as far as Loreen Bigler and Neiar Kabua of the Marshall Islands Visitor's Authority (MIVA) who came 5,000 miles to advertise their nation's growing recreational tourism industry.

CenPac Travel's Layne Ballard joined the reps in hosting the Marshalls' booth. Ballard has worked closely with the Marshalls in promoting diving over the years, said Ota Kisino, a Marshallese who attended the event. The travel show, featuring "safaris to scuba diving," was held January 28-29 at the Long Beach Convention Center in California.

Marshalls to Host Pacific Islands Historic Preservation Symposium

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Historic Preservation Office (RMI HPO), the United States National Park Service (NPS) and the Micronesian Endowment fo Historic Preservation (MEHP) are hosting a Pacific Preservation Symposium, in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, January 17-19, 2006. The symposium will take place at the Outrigger Marshall Islands Resort.

ALSO:Twenty-six Specialists to Speak at Pacific Preservation Symposium - UPDATED 1/15/06

Program and Abstract: Pacific Preservation Symposium - NEW!

Marshall Islands President Asks for Israel's Help

On his first State Visit to Israel, Marshall Islands President Kessai Hesa Note said his country wanted Israel's help in persuading the Americans to acknowledge culpability for the damaging long-term effects of nuclear weapons testing on the people of the Marshall Islands. "My country experienced the equivalent of 1.6 Hiroshima sized bombs every day," said Note according to the Jerusalem Post. He said that there are many in the US Government who would prefer to forget what happened and claim that everything has been resolved, but from standpoint of the Marshall Islands, much remains to be resolved.

ALSO: RMI Press Release: State Visit to Israel

Marshall Islands Determined to Overcome ICT Obstacles

Adverse geographic, market and economic conditions have not deterred the Republic of the Marshall Islands' (RMI) commitment and determination in bringing ICT to its citizens, said the nation's representative to World Summit on the Information Society held in Tunis last week. The Summit was convened to tackle the problem of the “digital divide” and harness the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for economic and social development.

Jorelik Tibon, Secretary for the RMI Ministry of Transportation & Communications, reported that the Marshalls is in the process of establishing the foundations of the Information Society and creating a policy environment that will enable greater private sector participation. His speech, delivered during the Sixth Plenary Meeting, General Debate, on November 17, emphasized the need for finances and resources to manage the many constraints in building the Information Society in the Marshall Islands.

College of Marshall Islands Visited by WASC Team

Representatives of the Accrediting Commission on Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC or “the Commission”) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) visited the College of the Marshall Islands last week from Nov. 8-10 to validate the information provided in a Progress Report sent by the College to the ACCJC on October 14th. The three member Visiting Team was made up of Dr. Robert Harris, Dr. Patricia Hsieh and Dr, Mark Zakovic – some of the Commission’s most experienced evaluators. The Visiting Team’s findings will be available to the College in late November. After review by the College for factual accuracy, the report will be sent to the full Commission for action in mid-January 2006.

MARSHALL ISLANDS' REPORT URGES BETTER GOVERNANCE FOR BETTER DEVELOPMENT

A draft summary of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Social and Economic Report 2005, states that conditions are worsening in the small Pacific nation, and the status quo is not sustainable. A change in tack is urgently needed. Leaders are challenged to take the "helm on behalf of their people." The title of the report,"Juumemmej" (stand awake), refers to the traditional Marshallese helmsman's reponsibility to stay alert for the welfare of others.

The "Summary of Key Findings and Issues" distributed this week by the RMI's Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office (EPPSO), states that the principle focus of Juumemmej 2005 is poverty reduction. Rising unemployment and social stresses contribute to increasing incidences of violent crime, youth suicides, and substance abuse. Poor governance and poor basic human development have created a crisis. According to the summary, RMI has resources and time on its side at the moment, so there is a window of opportunity for change. The main report, which is scheduled for release after the New Year, makes a number of specific recommendations on how to move forward.

Republic of the Marshall Islands Social and Economic Report 2005

Deported Human-Rights Abuser Brought to Marshall Islands

A former South Vietnamese army captain, who was ordered deported from the United States, has ended up in the Marshall Islands. US Homeland Security agents brought Thi Dinh Bui to the nation's capital of Majuro last week. The Marshalls is cooperating with the US by providing Bui entry to help resolve his immigration status. The United States and Vietnam have no extradition agreement.

Bui, 62, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his California home in August 2003 on charges that he violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by ordering, inciting, and participating in the persecution of others. Witnesses accused Bui of beating, torture and starvation of prisoners at a re-education camp near Hanoi from 1978 to 1981. ICE held Bui without bond at a federal prison in San Pedro. In April 2004, Los Angeles Immigration Judge D.D. Sitgraves ordered Bui removed from the US.