Topic: RMINews

TB Threat in Marshall Islands Requires More Action

MIJ: TB Threat - Public Health Emergency - three of 10 Marshallese with drug resistant TB have died

TB challenge gets a parliamentary focus in the Marshall Islands - frustration with the current law that requires them to go to court to quarantine patients

Moves to forcibly quarantine TB patients in Marshall Islands - few people who could contract drug resistant TB have refused to take their medication

Marshalls Seeks Quarantine in TB Outbreak Minister of Health is asking the parliament to amend a law

MORE:

• U.S. Interior Gives Marshall Islands 1.4M to Fight TB - Tony Babauta, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas, signed yesterday a $1,456,932 grant that will be used to combat an outbreak of multiple drug resistant tuberculosis in the Marshall Islands.

Marshall Islands' Secured Transactions Act Will Improve Access to Finance, Says ADB

The Secured Transactions Act effective now in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), will make it easier for people to access business and consumer loans, using personal property as collateral. Under the Act, individuals using personal property as collateral to secure loans, register details of the transaction with the new Secured Transactions Registry. The Registry, located at the Land Registration Authority office is available online and may be electronically searched. ADB has supported RMI since 2005, to help establish the Registry which was prepared following local consultations.

“The Secured Transactions Act will make it easier for people to secure loans to start or grow a business, using personal property such as boats, or farm equipment,” said Mattlan Zackhras, Minister of Resources and Development (MRD) of the RMI Government.

• Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Secured Transactions Filing Office - site for searching for notices of security interests in movable property and for registering notices of security interests in movable property.

Marshall Islands: Outer Island Enewetak/Ujelang Sprints Toward the 21st Century

One of the most isolated of the Marshall Islands' atolls is now connected by phone and internet service. "Enewetak's debut call was done at approximately 3 p.m. Majuro time, between Minister Jack Ading (on Majuro) and Mayor Jackson Ading (on Enewetak)," reported Anthony Muller, CEO of the National Telecommunications Authority (NTA).

After the official call by Mayor Jackson Ading, local residents were scheduled to make free trial calls to off-island relatives, according to a NTA email to Yokwe Online this afternoon.

Delegation "Re-engages" US Officials on Marshall Islands' Issues

A high-level delegation from Majuro, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was in Washington, DC, last week for meetings with U.S. Administration and Congressional officials. Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Minister John M. Silk said he was pleased with the results of the visit. “This was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen our close and enduring relationship with the United States in the Compact of Free Association."

The delegation met with Assistant Secretary of the Interior Anthony Babauta, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Frankie Reed, Department of Energy officials, and several members and staff from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

ROC (Taiwan) Gives 4th Quarter of 2009 Grant to Marshall Islands

Ambassador Bruce J. D. Linghu of the Republic of China (Taiwan) presented a check in the amount of TWO MILLION AND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS (US$2,750,000.00) to Hon. John M. Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Hon. Jack Ading, Minister of Finance at the Cabinet Meeting Room of the International Conference Center on November 3, 2009 at 11:00 PM. The donation ceremony was witnessed by Herbert Hsu, Counselor of the ROC (Taiwan) Embassy and other RMI officials.

Republic of the Marshall Islands Has New President and Speaker

RMI: 5th President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands

AUDIO: Swearing-in of President, Speaker & Inaugural Address

New Marshalls president sworn in

US DOI: The Marshall Islands Inaugurates a New President

President & Delegation to Key Copenhagen Talks

Republic of the Marshall Islands has New President

With a 17-15 vote, the legislators of the Republic of the Marshall Islands parliament, the Nitjela, chose a new president this morning.

Nitijela Speaker and Iroij (traditional chief) Jurelang Zedkaia is the new Head of State for this small, Pacific nation. Zedkaia, who has served as Majuro senator, has been Speaker for less than two years.

President Tomeing Ousted in Marshall Islands Vote of No Confidence

It was opposing party members in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) parliament who formed a coalition to elect Litokwa Tomeing as president in 2008. A new government is now forming in the wings. Tomeing was ousted today by another unusual coalition in a controversial Vote of No Confidence.

Seven days after the motion was presented, on the 53rd day of the 2009 second session, RMI's senators ignored party lines to vote 17-15 for change. Leading the charge was Kessai Note, former RMI president and United Democratic Party member. Co-sponsors were Senators Kaiboke Kabua, Rellong Lemari and Fredrick Muller.

Marshall Islands tells UN: More Work Is Needed on Nuclear Exposure Science

The Republic of the Marshall Islands addressed the UN on nuclear testing issues, asking for increased international efforts on scientific research for nuclear testing impacts. Ms. Lydia Kaminaga, RMI Foreign Service Officer who is serving as an Adviser to RMI’s UN Mission this fall, delivered a statement on October 16, 2009, before the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, during its debate over the effects of atomic radiation. RMI UN Ambassador Phillip Muller was also present.

Marshall Islands Brings Handicraft to Guam Fair

The 22nd Guam Micronesia Islands Fair which was held from October 16-18 on the beautiful island of Guam in Magnificent Micronesia. The Marshall Islands was represented by Mio Candle, Lucia Guavis and Iolani Alfred of the Marshall Islands Association of Handicraft Businesses, said MIVA's Emelyn Simon.

Marshall Islands: Third Vote of No Confidence for Pres. Tomeing

Third Time Lucky? - Sen. Note said, "duty to do what is right for the government and people of the Marshall Islands"

Marshall Islands President Facing Ouster Vote - his third no confidence test in 12 months

Marshalls president faces fresh no confidence challenge - Kessai Note, Kaboke Kabua, Rellong Lemari, Frederick Muller filed

VONC III - Forum Discussion - So who gets in as president?

New Consulate to Cultivate Understanding, says Marshall Islands' President

President Litokwa Tomeing was the keynote speaker for the Grand Opening and Dedication of the new Republic of the Marshall Islands Consulate in Springdale, Arkansas. In his address, on September 28, 2009, the RMI President said that the consulate will endeavor to serve the interests of the Marshallese community right here in Arkansas as well as in the neighboring states. He encouaged the Marshallese to be law-abiding citizens and good ambassadors of the Marshall Islands. The speech, translated in English, follows:

Taiwan Sends Medical Mission to Kwajalein and Majuro

The Republic of China (Taiwan) scheduled its Second 2009 Medical Mobile Mission to the Marshall Islands for the latter half of September. The Mission is co-sponsored by Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and Taipei Municipal Wan-Fan Hospital, while working with RMI Ministry of Health as well as the two hospitals of the Marshalls. Ebeye was the first destination, followed by medical service in the capital atoll of Majuro.

Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing Addresses 64th UN General Debate

I bring the greetings and best wishes of the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election as chair of the Session. You have our confidence and support. My gratitude to the United Nations for its continuing role in coordinating and leading this collective body through challenges affecting the interests of all nations.

The presence of the UN joint offices in the Marshall Islands has brought the ideals of this body closer to our people and country. Our hope is that other UN agencies including WHO, UNIFEM, FAO, and ESCAP will follow suit and make their presence felt more prominently, producing concrete results on the ground.
MORE:

• 64th UNGA: Marshall Islands Page with Video
• UN: Inclusive Multilateralism, Fully Democratic United Nations Needed to Combat Poverty, Terrorism, Other Threats, Speakers Tell Assembly General Debate
• UN: Ahead of Copenhagen talks, small island nations sound alarm at UN on climate change
• RA AUDIO: Marshall Islands President addresses 2009 UN General Assembly

Marshall Islands Government Highlights Parliament Business and Kwajalein Trip

The national parliament, which began its second half of the 30th Regular Session on August 24, met again last week following a two-week recess for public hearings and the President's trip to Kwajalein. "The 38th Sitting Day on Friday is quite an important one as the Nitijela is expected to discuss and vote on the proposed national budget," said RMI Deputy Chief Secretary Fred Pedro via email on Thursday.

According to Nitijela Clerk Joe Riklon, the parliament website was updated last week with the audios for Nitijela 2009 sitting days. There had been no update since last April. The last seven sitting days in May and the first six of this session are now available.

• Nitijela Audio & Roll/Vote Results: 30TH Constitutional Regular Session 2009