US Not Good Steward of Marshall Islands, Says House Rep

The United States has not done enough as a government to properly compensate the Marshall Islands for loss of property and tremendous harm done to the safety and health of its people during the Cold War nuclear testing period, said a member of Congress yesterday. To this day, the US "has not done right" by the Marshallese, said several representatives during a mark-up hearing of the House Committee on International Relations.

Being considered was House Concurrent Resolution 410, which recognizes the 25th anniversary the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Constitution and recognizes the Marshall Islands as a staunch ally of the US. "It is particularly fitting that we are considering the resolution this week, during the visit of (RMI) President Note to Washington," said Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, Rep. James Leach (R-Iowa).

ALSO: World Media Attention Needed for Nuked Marshall Islands

The resolution's sponsor, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), said that the Marshalls has been a staunch ally, in the Cold War, now in the Iraqi War, and votes 99% of the time with the US in the United Nations -- more than any other country.

Rep. Doug Bereuter, (R- NE) pointed out the continuing contribution of the Marshall Islands as it is at the "receiving end" of shots fired from Vandenburg. The Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) is located on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.

"Let me note, that the Marshallese are wonderful people, and they are happy to be our friends, although, at times, America has not done right by them," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA).

Rep. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega was more blunt. The delegate from America Samoa said that "we were not good stewards" when the US conducted these tests. Hundreds of Marshallese went without US assistance, he said.

"To this day we still have not given proper medical treatment or compensation
for loss of health or anything you could associate with this testing program which took place in the '50's, " said Faleomavaega.

The day before in Washington, D.C., the President of the Marshalls shared information with Rep. Faleomavaega from documents recently declassified by the US Departments of Energy and Defense, indicating heavy radioactive exposure to every one of the Marshall Islands, not just Utrik, Rongelap and the test islands, as previously cited.

The documents show that islands received doses tens of thousands times greater than "safe", being subjected to many operations of radiative exposure.

Concluding the time allotted for mark-up discussion, Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (D-Los Angeles) said she wanted to bring "reality" to the hearing.

"I have three strong points," she said:

1) The Marshall Islands have had a challenge with self-governance. They have finally elected a group of leaders that are adhering to democratic principles.

2) We, as an overseeing authority under a Compact of Free Association, have really let the people down, in many ways.

3) They were ravished in that community when we tested our atomic bombs.

From the air, Rep. Watson reported seeing islands that had been blown-off the map and walking on land that was still "hot."

"We owe these people," said Rep. Watson.

--by Aenet Rowa, Yokwe Online, June 17, 2004