Colonel ‘salutes’ Bikinians

Journal 3/9/1982

P1 Colonel admits mistakes but proud of US-Marshalls relationship Colonel Peter Witteried said at the Kili Airport/Bikini Day celebration that the United States made some honest mistakes with the Marshallese people. “I don’t think we Americans have to be ashamed of our mistakes,” said Witteried. “I am proud of the relationship. Col. Witteried told Bikini people that the Marshall Islands is one of the tiny minatory in the world which enjoy freedom. “I believe your culture and the United States both contribute to this,” he said. “As an American and a soldier, I want to thank you for all the burden you’ve shouldered for my country, and for that, I salute you.”

P7 TT winding down The Trust Territory government is winding down, HiCom Janet McCoy said in an interview with the Journal. She said she is trying to work herself out of her job as the TT is winding down.

P8 Ebeye drug problem In an exemption of the Ebeye hospital, the Auditor General found that controlled substances were not accounted for until a pharmacist was hired in October 1981. Two persons were accused of drug abuse and an investigation into the cases is continuing.

Journal 3/11/1994

P1 Going home On the 40th anniversary of the Bravo test that seemingly destroyed forever hopes of the Bikinians returning home, Bikini leaders have decided to begin resettling Eneu Island this year, according to members of the community. This is the first time that Bikini leaders have said without apparent reservation that they want to go back and put a date on the return.

P3 Namdrik nurtures lucrative pearls Namdrik fishermen are investing their time and energy into farming — lagoon farming, that is. Dozens of future-thinking fishermen are cultivating black lip pearl oysters in Namdrik with the help of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority. Potentially, pearl oysters are a lucrative business that could net outer island fishermen a tidy income. But MIMRA official believes it could take 10 years to build a viable export industry.

P19 Docs look for thyroids A major thyroid study of Majuro residents got off the ground this week as Japanese doctors began examinations at Majuro hospital. “All Marshallese are welcome to come for an examination but the study will focus on Marshallese who were alive during the nuclear testing period (1946-1958),” said Dr. Steve Simon, director of the Nationwide Radiological Survey that is coordinating the study.

Journal 3/11/2005

P7 Night to remember MIHS students debuted in the Shakespeare play “Twelfth Night” on Wednesday in Majuro. The cast of dozens, directed by Dartmouth College Professor Andrew Garrod, rehearsed for 10 weeks before strutting their stuff for the public. On Tuesday night, a special “students only” performance was held. The play is performed at MIHS.

P10 Money orders end in December The RMI Post Office’s ability to issue postal money orders will expire on December 31. No replacement service has been organized.

P12 Hundreds attend women’s forum The first National Women’s Forum opened Monday on Majuro with hundreds of women jamming the Nitijela conference room. At Tuesday’s session, women debated the pros and cons of joining an international treaty to eliminate discrimination against women. A presentation on the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was made by Ministry of Internal Affairs staff Ione deBrum. More than 130 nations have joined the convention; the RMI is not yet a member.

P26 Hospital gives Palau a ‘leg’ up “The people of the Marshall Islands are very lucky,” said visiting Physical Therapy Technician John Olkeriil of Majuro hospital’s Prothetics and Orthotics Service. “We do not have this in Palau.” Olkeriil has just finished working for three weeks alongside Majuro hospital’s prosthetics ad orthotics technologist Hemos George, learning all about how artificial legs are made in the RMI.