Topic: RMINews

MARSHALL ISLANDS: New CPI Includes Majuro and Ebeye

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office (EPPSO) has released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for First Quarter of 2005. Director Carl Hacker reports that for the first time both Majuro and Ebeye are included. Majuro is the capital atoll of the Republic and most populated with about 25,000. Ebeye, an islet community located on the Kwajalein Atoll, is the most densely populated with over 10,000 residents in less than one-square mile.

In the new Ebeye CPI, there are 18 items which are broken down further into 5 groups with the food group by far the largest and most important. The Ebeye CPI Basket was compared to either the same or comparable items on Majuro. The total cost for the basket of 18 goods on Ebeye is $141.25 and Majuro the total cost of the same basket of goods is $113.22. This represents a price difference of 25% between Majuro and Ebeye. Rice, for instance, is $2.00 more on Ebeye than Majuro.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Media, Transparency and Governance Training for V7AB Radio

Staff members of the government radio station V7AB in the Marshall Islands recently completed a two week workshop entitled ‘Getting the Message Across - Transparency and Governance in the Marshall Islands’ sponsored by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

While the focus has been primarily on honing the professional skills of communicators to enhance their ability to communicate ideas to the public, there have also been wide-ranging discussions about governance, transparency, and the media, especially as they relate to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

BREAKING NEWS: Marshall Islands College Continues on "Show Cause" Status

The College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) has been granted another six months to meet remaining accreditation eligibility requirements. At a meeting this month in San Francisco, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) considered whether to revoke CMI's accreditation completely or whether to grant the college more time to meet accreditation standards.

The decision for extension of "Show Cause" status gives the CMI Board six months to prove itself, according to Board of Regents member Jack Niedenthal. "We are very happy about this, but we will have a lot of work to do, including a search for a new president for the college," he said.

Marshall Islands Students Send Letters to Tsunami Survivors

Two American missionary pilots on a relief flight to Indonesia stopped on Majuro yesterday and received hundreds of letters and drawings from Majuro schoolchildren. Pilots Ed Robinson and Brian Stoltzfus, volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse, agreed to deliver the students’ messages of support and friendship to young Indonesian survivors of last month’s devastating tsunami.

Marshall Islands' President to Host Taiwan Counterpart in May

Marshall Islands President Kessai Note attended the inauguration of Palau's President, Tommy Remengesau, Friday evening. This is the last stop in a three and a half weeks itinerary which included the UN-sponored Mauritius Conference and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan.

President Note attended a banquet on Thursday in honor of Remengesau given by Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian, who is on the first-leg of his two-nation Pacific tour. Note also met with President Chen on Friday evening following the inaugural festivities. On Saturday, the Central News Agency announced Chen is slated for an official visit to the Marshall Islands in May.

Marshall Islands College President Asked to Resign as College Faces WASC Review

A number of major developments affecting the College of Marshall Islands (CMI) have taken place over the last week. A three person delegation is currently in San Francisco for the College of Marshall Islands's (CMI) accreditation hearing with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Commission (WASC).

In a dramatic development, CMI President Wayne Schmidt has been asked to resign by the CMI Board of Regents, and pending his response, he has been suspended without pay for 30 working days. The current Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Troy McGrath, has replaced Dr. Schmidt as Acting President of the College while the Board of Regents conducts a search for a new President.

Marshall Islands President Makes "Landmark" Visit to Taiwan

Marshall Islands President Kessai Note, in his third visit to Taiwan since 2002, is receiving a grand State treatment this week. The Taiwan Foreign Affairs Ministry called Note's visit a landmark in Taiwan-Marshall relations. Since his arrival on December 13 at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, President Note has been hosted and toasted by high-ranking officials. Note was entertained Tuesday evening at a dinner party given by Minister of Foreign Affairs Tan Sun Chen at the Grand Hyatt Taipei.

On Thursday, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is scheduled to accompany Note on a visit to the National Museum of Prehistory in Taitung, in eastern Taiwan. In the evening, Chen will host a state banquet for his Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) counterpart at Naruwan Hotel in Taitung.

Marshall Islands: Large Increase for Alcohol Group in CPI

During the 4th quarter of 2004 reporting period the Majuro Consumer Price Index increased by 0.77% over the last quarter. Over the last 4 quarters (February 2004) the Majuro CPI has increased by a total of 2.01%.

The largest increase in the CPI was in the Alcohol Beverage Group, which increased by 17.59%. This is attributable to the increase in import duties passed by the Nitijela to support the College of the Marshall Islands. The average price for a can of beer climbed from $1.35 to $1.59 per can.

Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Meets with ROC President

Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian met with visiting Marshall Islands' Foreign Affairs Minister Gerald Zackios Tuesday morning for "wide-ranging talks." Chen expressd his gratitude for the Marshall Islands support for the Republic of China's independent sovereign status. "We are grateful for your country's firm support for our national causes, including joining the United Nations and the World Health Organization," Chen told Zackios during the meeting in the President's Office. (See photo here.)

Marshall Islands Makes Mark at Super Dive Show

Three Marshall Islands dive operators are in Houston, Texas, this week for the 2004 Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA) Show. Attending the show are Julie Snider and Darryl Hodson of Rongelap Expeditions, Jerry Ross of Bako Divers, and Jack and Regina Niedenthal of Bikini Atoll Divers. This year's DEMA show is being held October 13-16 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Prior Service Trust Fund of Micronesia receives $1.6 million from U.S.
Government

After a series of meetings this week with the U.S Interior Department officials led by Deputy Assistant Secretary, David Cohen, the Prior Service Trust Fund received a $1.6 million grant from a $2 million US Congress Technical Assistance appropriation earmarked for Prior Service and other high priority projects for fiscal year 2004. The Prior Service Trust Fund compensates citizens of the FSM, Marshall Islands, CNMI and Palau who worked in excess of 5 years for the US Department of Navy and the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands for the period of 1944 through June 30, 1968.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Four Quarters of Increase for Majuro CPI

During the 3rd Quarter of the 2004 reporting period, the Majuro CPI rose by 0.96% over the last quarter. Over the last four quarters (from August 2003) the CPI has increased by a total of 1.47%. The Food group category resulted in an overall decrease of (–0.81%) from the previous quarter. This is due to the reduction in food item prices, in particular chicken breasts and all other parts, eggs, coffee (instant) and drink mix (KoolAid, Luau mix, etc). Chicken breasts and all other parts decreased from $2.22 to $1.86, eggs dropped from $2.25 to $2.11, coffee lessened from $4.70 to $4.57, and drink mix decreased from $3.86 to $3.62. On the other hand, there was a slight increase of 0.02% in the CPI in the Food group over the last four quarters.

Marshall Islands Minister Seek Assistance and Guidance from Taiwan

During his first goodwill visit to Taiwan, Minister of Public Works, Hon. Mattlan Zackhras, took the opportunity to meet with his counterparts including various officials in the ROC Executive Yuan in Taipei to discuss areas of mutual interest.

“I realize my schedule was a bit ambitious given the few days I was in Taipei but I wanted to both experience the genuine Taiwanese culture and people yet at the same time get down to business,” said the Minister. ROC is in the forefront in terms of agriculture development and at the same time it is revered throughout the world for its modern technology advancement. “I think it makes sense for RMI to seek assistance and guidance from a close ally like Taiwan without having to travel far across the globe to seek help elsewhere.”

Marshalls Sends Dance Groups to Festival

Traditional dance groups and bands will represent the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) at the ninth Festival of Pacific Arts hosted by the Republic of Palau, from July 22 to 31. The Ujae Jobwa Dancers, led by Irooj Senator Michael Kabua, is composed of over 21 dancers, singers, chanters and drummers. The Utrik Atoll Jebo Dancing Group is also scheduled to perform.

Government officials accompanying the delegation include RMI President Kessai H. Note, First Lady Mary Note, Foreign Affairs Minister Gerald and Jodi Zackios, Johnny Antolok, Christopher de Brum, and Clifford Jericho, according to the Alele, the RMI National Museum, which organizes and coordinates Marshalls participation for the Festival.

Remarks by Minister Gerald Zackios
on Behalf of the Marshall Islands
July 6, 2004
US Embassy, Majuro, Marshall Islands

His Excellency President Note,
Ambassador Morris, Colonel Brown and Mrs. Jane Brown, Traditional Leaders, Members of the Cabinet, Members of the Nitijela, Honorable Riley Alberttar, Mayor of Majuro, Distinguished Guests, Citizens of the United States, Friends, Students and Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to say a few words on this beautiful evening on behalf of President Note and the people of the Marshall Islands, and to be among friends to celebrate two hundred twenty-eight years of independence for our good friend and ally, the United States of America.