Marshall Islands' Looks for the Fulfillment of a Promise Made Long Ago
Part III of "Marshall Islands Should Get the Attention Now"
The United States made unilateral changes to the new Compact provisions after negotiations concluded and signature of the agreement. These changes, which if not removed or amended, will impact nuclear claims compensation and aid, immigration rights, and economic assistance. This action is indicative of the US scheme to rework its "promises" to the Marshall Islands despite its continued "use" of the islands for defense purposes, and the Cold War nuclear legacy it left there. It is hoped that the US will move with compassion and fairness to reverse any provisions that bring more hardship to the islands. The Marshall Islands' people still hope for promises to be fulfilled concerning restoration and return to their lands.
This is the 59th year of US presence in the Marshall Islands. The US took possession of the Islands during World War II and has exercised various forms of political oversight since that time.
Even before the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands' administration by the US began, the US was making "use" of the islands. The first agreement negotiated between a Marshall Islands leader and a U.S. representative, probably military took place March 2,1944 for the exclusive right to the use and occupancy of Enewetak Atoll for an indefinite period of time for "the sum of ten dollars." This was not recorded until in the Marshall Islands District Record Book 1, pp. 5, 6, and 7, on June 20, 1957. Promises were made to the people to safeguard the land. During subsequent nuclear tests,
entire Enewetak islets were obliterated.
Still before the Trusteeship, in February of 1946, Commodore Ben H. Wyatt, the military governor of the Marshalls, ask the Bikinians if they would be willing to
leave their atoll temporarily so that the United States could begin testing atomic bombs for "the good of mankind and to end all world wars." King Juda said, "We will go believing that everything is in the hands of God." The Bikinians were promised something rather then what they received. They became wanderers in the Marshalls, sickened and deprived, due to the US testing.
After the liberation of Kwajalein Atoll in early 1944, the US military used the atoll for a strategic base for supplies and support. In the early fifties, it was the home base for the nuclear testing on Bikini and Enewetak. A labor camp of Marshallese were kept busy building new facilities. In January 1951, the military moved the Marshallese to a near-by islet, Ebeye. That was the beginning of the end for the Kwajalein people. More and more land was appropriated, as the island was designated for missile testing in the mid-fifties to the present. Later, in the 1960's, mid-corridor residents were also moved from their land. The Kwajalein people are barred from two-thirds of their lagoon and are
still separated from their own lands, without equitable compensation, and still provide the "labor" to run the US facility.
The Trusteeship Agreement was approved by the United Nations Security Council on April 2, 1947 and ratified by the United States on July 18, 1947 by the following Congressional Joint Resolution (Act of July 18, 1947, c. 271, 61 Stat. 397):
Under Article 76(b) of the Charter, the US promised to:
1. foster the development of such political institutions as are suited to the trust territory and shall promote the development of the inhabitants of the trust territory toward self-government or independence as may be appropriate to the particular circumstances of the trust territory and its peoples and the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned; and to this end shall give to the inhabitants of the trust territory a progressively increasing share in the administrative services in the territory; shall develop their participation in government; and give due recognition to the customs of the inhabitants in providing a system of law for the territory; and shall take other appropriate measures toward these ends;
2. promote the economic advancement and self-sufficiency of the inhabitants, and to this end shall regulate the use of natural resources; encourage the development of fisheries, agriculture, and industries; protect the inhabitants against the loss of their lands and resources; and improve the means of transportation and communication;
3. promote the social advancement of the inhabitants and to this end shall protect the rights and fundamental freedoms of all elements of the population without discrimination; protect the health of the inhabitants; control the traffic in arms and ammunition, opium and other dangerous drugs, and alcoholic and other spirituous beverages; and institute such other regulations as may be necessary to protect the inhabitants against social abuses; and
4. promote the educational advancement of the inhabitants, and to this end shall take steps toward the establishment of a general system of elementary education; facilitate the vocational and cultural advancement of the population; and shall encourage qualified students to pursue higher education, including training on the professional level.
The United States detonated 67 atomic and thermonuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands. "The Marshallese people subsidized this nuclear détente
with their lands, health, lives, and future. As an ally and strategic partner, the Republic of the Marshall Islands has paid a uniquely high price to define its national interest in a manner that also has been compatible with vital U.S. national interests." (House Resolution, 92).
Promises. Some kept, some not. The Marshall Islands need the US House and Senate to step forward and keep the promises made long ago. Approve the proposed new amendments to the Administration's legislation. Provide fair compensation to Kwajalein landowners. Support the Marshall Islands and Micronesia as they have supported the US. The US gives billions of dollars toward the welfare of nations which are not strong allies and partners.
What other nations have received the destructive impact of 67 nuclear tests? What other nations have had an high incidence of cancer, other radiological-induced ailments, birth defects and jelly-fish babies? What other nations today provide missile defense sites of such extreme importance as Kwajalein, Marshall Islands? What other nation has stood alone with the US in United Nation face-offs? What other nations have been such true friends of the United States in spite of all the unkept promises?
The current legislation for the new Compact is yet to be ratified. House amendments to the resolutions must be reviewed, and Senate mark-ups are still ahead before the legislation goes to full House and Senate votes.
By the time the "Compact Act" is presented to the Republic of the Marshall Islands' legislature for approval and is signed off by the US Congress and President, Marshall Islanders hope that boldly imprinted on its pages will be first, and foremost, rights and benefits due the Marshall Island people, as promised so many years ago by the United States, its ally, partner, and friend.
--Aenet Rowa, Yokwe Online, September 8, 2003
Sunday, Part I:
Once Again, Whose Compact is it Anyway?"
Monday, Part II:
A Fair and Just Compact
Thursday, Part III:
A Promise Made Long Ago
