Journal 9/6/1983
P1 Both sides predict plebiscite victory
Both supporters and opponents of the Compact of Free Association between the Marshall Islands and the United States predicted victory in the plebiscite tomorrow (September 7). Speakers at Aet, or Yes rallies of the Ailin Kein Ad Party, have said they will win 90 percent of the vote on many outer islands and will heavily here on Majuro Atoll. They concede margins of only 60 percent on Kwajalein and Rongelap Atolls. If these predictions are correct, the Aet side led by President Amata Kabua should win 60-70 percent of the vote. Leaders of the Coalition against the Compact (Jab or No) predict their side will win about 55 percent of the 13,000 plus voters.
P11 Ebb and Flow
The barbed wire barricade came down at Kwaj about two weeks ago. Conspicuously absent from he picture, any Kwajalein leaders. It was about time — and past time — but the timing was good: Just before the UN teams were due in. Chief Secretary Oscar deBrum joined High Commissioner Janet McCoy and Kwajalein Missile Range Commander Col. John Banks at the barbed wire removal.
Journal 9/4/1992
P1 Bikini declared safe
Fourteen years after the Bikinians were evacuated from their home because of high levels of radiation, US scientists say that it is now safe for them to return to Eneu Island, one of two major islands in the northern atoll. The Bikinians are treating this “very startling announcement” with skepticism, said Jack Niedenthal, the Bikinians Trust Liaison. Bikini Mayor Tomaki Jude said the the announcement is true, “it’s really good news for the Bikini people.” But he said the Bikinians couldn’t understand by the scientists are saying its safe so soon after a scientific report to the US Congress said it was not safe to eat 100 percent local food on Eneu.
P15 Bank marks 10 years as ‘local people’s bank’
The Bank of Marshall Islands has grown and gained customer confidence during its 10 year of existence because people see the bank has a solid financial foundation and Marshallese realize they need their own local bank, Manager Patrick Chen told the Journal on the 10th anniversary of the bank.
P17 US agency wrapping up Marshalls’ operations
US disaster relief in the wake of Tropical Storm Zelda and Typhoon Axel brought $15 million to the Marshall Islands, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency officer in charge in Majuro. FEMA is now winding down its Marshalls disaster relief effort more than eight months after it began.
P20 Palafox: Marshallese can do it
Dr. Neal Palafox, trained as physician to cure sick people, said his experience in the Marshalls made him realize early on “that curative programs were far from the answer” to the needs here. “All the doctors were busting their butts to see patients. We’d see a truckload of patients (daily) but it wouldn’t make any difference. Something had to change.” In 1985, with the backing of the President and the Cabinet, the polices of the Ministry of Health were changed virtually overnight from a focus on curative to a program promoting preventive health.
Journal 9/7/2012
P15 Sign of the times
Celebrations of Jaluit Liberation Day are going on around the planet this week. Senator Alvin Jacklick loaded up Mike and Ateltha Slinger’s vessel last Thursday and headed south to support his wife, Mayor Bila Jacklick, and the folks in Jaluit who marked this important day on Monday this week. Meanwhile, 7,000 miles to the east, the “other” Jaluit Senator, T&C Minister Rien Morris, is in the Northwest Arkansas area celebrating with Jaluit residents in the USA. That’s this week’s news from the Land of Bukarar.