Journal 10/21/1983
P1 Alele receives grant
A $30,000 grant has been approved for the Majuro Alele Museum, accordion to Alele Curator Jerry Knight. Projects that are to be funded are a museum on Likiep, reproducing over a hundred picture negatives from Joachim deBrum’s collection, and other deBrum artifacts. Portions of the fund will go for taping of traditional story tellers and recording historic sites.
P2 Hsu answers Zeder’s letter
Dear Ambassador Zeder:* Thank you for your letter dated 5 August 1983…I am pleased that the Journal reproduced in extenso the respective rebuttals of Ms. Darlene Keju-Johnson and Rev. David Williams, Jr….Ms. Keju-Johnson, who was not a member of the WCC delegation to the Marshall Islands has already dealt in substance with your charge that her presentation at WCC’s Vancouver Assembly was “the most nauseating example of bizarre propaganda” and the Rev. Williams, as a member of that delegation, wrote to you pointing out that Ms. Keju-Johnson’s presentation about the effects of radiation on the culture and life of her people was “consistent with that of many Marshallese whom we interviewed in the course of our two-week visit.” However, I do wish to…respond to your letter. First, on the question of “accuracy and objectivity” of the report. It seems to me…that neither you nor I can ever say we know what is accurate or objective regarding the experience of the impact on the Marshall Islands arising out of atomic bomb testing and the military presence of the United States government. It is the people of the Marshall Islands, the victims of both radioactive fallout and the US military presence, who should be the ultimate judge about the accuracy and objectivity of whatever you or I may say about their situation. Secondly, with reference to your conviction that the WCC is using the delegation’s visit as a “most effective device for soliciting money” for our “cause,” … the visit to the Marshall Islands was but one aspect of multi-faceted engagements around the world…As regards our “cause,” the WCC makes no apology for taking the side of the victims of oppression and violation of human rights and for promoting justice in a much troubled world by publicizing and combatting the manifestations of injustice as experienced and perceived by the marginalized and the oppressed. But in the exercise of this ecumenical conviction, the WCC also fully recognizes that to be the voice of conscience through word and deed, it will attract the wrath of those bent on preserving their power and privileges…” —Victor Hsu, Executive Secretary, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, World Council of Church. *Ambassador Fred Zeder was the chief negotiator for the US government of the Compact of Free Association that approved in 1983. He attacked the WCC for the speech Darlene Keju-Johnson delivered to the WCC Assembly in 1983.
Journal 10/23/1992
P1 Jobs and money
RMI and Chinese officials inked a deal Thursday that is to bring the first garment factory to Majuro. Resources and Development Minister Amsa Jonathan and PRC Chargé Cheng Qinben signed a letter of exchange for a joint venture garment factory.
P1 And the champion is…
Bojar Il, the upstart team formed only this year, went all the way to win the Majuro Men’s Fastpitch league. The team is sponsored by Senator Imata Kabua. On the team: Dave Kilma, Rington, Pat Kilma, Jimmy Lakmij, Jeimata Nokko Kabua, Atbi Riklon, Elti Kilma, Shem, Cremson Kilma, Rona Riklon, Riklon Riklon, Aiti Riklon, Una Watak, Jones Riklon, Maner Isiea, Ronney Riklon, Fred Kilma, Heli Philip and Aisa Jollo.
P4 Hurrah for MEC
The Marshalls Energy Company got a real nice pat on the back this week from the visiting ADB team. “MEC is a good example of a utility that is moving in the right direction,” ADB mission leader Paul McCabe told us. “They’re doing so well they don’t need ADB help.” He paused, and then added, “They’re a bloody winner. And if it an’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Journal 10/26/2012
P4 Report highlights level of child abuse
The Republic of the Marshall Islands government and its citizens have been put on notice about the need to ramp up child protection action following a presentation of the RMI’s Child Protection Baseline Research (CPBR) report at last Friday’s Women United Together Marshall Islands General Assembly. “This report revealed that the problem of abuse in homes is huge,” said Chief Secretary Casten Nemra. “(It is a) clear indication that the government needs to act and take steps to address child protection.”