Journal 6/22/1982
P1 Sen. Henchi Balos charges RepMar shot Bikinians in the back
Bikini’s Senator Henchi Balos charged June 9 that the Marshall Islands government did not look after the best interests of the Bikini people in the final rounds of the Compact talks. He also said he was told by President Amata Kabua not to worry about it because “We are going to go home and kill the Compact.” “The Bikinians were shot in the back by their own government,” Balos stated. He explained that the US government offered the Bikinians $37.2 million for settlement of damage claims but the Marshalls negotiators cut the figure to $25 million and redistributed the money, primarily to Rongelap and Utrik.
P1 Presidential opposition denied
The President’s press secretary, Mason Altiery, when asked for comment on Senator Balos’ claim that the President will oppose the Compact, said: “That is certainly not the President’s position. He has not taken a position and he will not take a position until the Compact and all the associated documents have been translated and studied, and discussed in Cabinet.”
P2 Two from Ebeye graduate
Jimmy Kemem and Kato Rubon of Ebeye received a bachelor of science in Education degree from Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska at graduation ceremonies held May 29.
Journal 6/14/1991
P3 Rongelap may get $3m cleanup
If US Representative Sidney Yates has his way, Rongelap will have $3 million and the start on a fully-funded cleanup and resettlement of the nuclear-contaminated northern atoll. Yates’ subcommittee on Interior Appropriations late last week included the $3 million in its final budget recommendations. Rongelap Senator Jeton Anjain said the vote of support meant that Rongelap had “turned the corner” in its quest for US assistance for a cleanup and resettlement.
P19 Public schools look to private management
The Education Ministry is encouraging religious education organizations to take over management of public elementary schools in the Marshall Islands. Last year, the Maryknoll Sisters, who had been running their own school on Likiep, contracted with the Likiep local government and the Education Ministry to administer the public elementary schools on the atoll. Education Minister Phillip Muller said that he and the community are pleased with the results.
P24 Malnutrition strikes youth, women
If you think malnutrition is a problem only for young children, think again. Statistics from the national nutrition survey show that besides children, youth 7-14, young women 15-18, and women 30-34 and 45-49 have serious nutritional problems. The report points out that obesity is also a form of malnutrition, though people usually associate malnutrition with lack of food.
Journal 6/17/2011
P9 Home for weavers
The ‘Jined Kibed’ traditional wavering house, which is a dedicated space for weaving and especially the making of ‘jaki ed’ finely woven mats, will be officially opened this Friday at the University of the South Pacific’s Marshall Islands campus. On Monday, Ashken Binat of Tutu Island, Arno, and Mela Kattil of Taklep Island, Arno were the first weavers to enjoy the thatched-roof, island style house and begin their new mats.