Journal 2/26/1982
P1 Kwaj leaders join Compact talks
Kwajalein leaders Ataji Balos and Imada Kabua are pleased that they have been participating on Compact of Free Association talks related to Kwaj but they report no large breakthroughs in the negotiations. Balos, chairman of the board of directors of the Kwajalein Atoll Corporation, which represents the landowners, said they are sticking to the previously agreed 15-year military use rights, with a 15-year renewal option. The US wants a 30-year agreement with an option to renew for another 20.
P5 Among other things
There is no denying that the Marshallese people who live on Ebeye have been stripped of their dignity and respect. There is no denying, too, that there are tyrannical forces — both from within and outside the Marshalls — trying to keep people oppressed. But for many of these transplanted Marshallese on Ebeye who live there by choice by the way, they can always return to their home islands and live a more dignified and respectful life if they so choose.The sad fact is many Marshallese today equate dignity and respect with working for Global or the government of the Marshalls, however menial the job is. Working the land with hands is considered disrespectful or undesirable. Fact is, most of these people on Ebeye have decided to stay on Ebeye and get “underpaid and overworked” at the cost of losing their dignity and self-respect. —Akio Heine
Journal 3/1/1991
P5 Auditor General: Fees misuse
Evidence of misuse of vehicle registration fees has been found, according to the 14th Semi-Annual Report to Nitijela issued by the Office of the Auditor-General. “In testing cash received from the registration fees, we found evidence of misuse of public funds,” the audit said. “On August 14, 1990, the responsible officer was holding receipts from July 20, 1990. These receipts should have amounted to $1,670 but were $503 deficient.”
P10 Nitijela passes controversial resolutions
The Nitijela February 21 unanimously passed a resolution seeking removal of High Court Chief Justice Philip Bird because of what the senators claim is his “clear failure to faithfully discharge the duties of his office and for abuses inconsistent with the authority of that office.” The lawmakers claim Bird does not understand customary law. The judge reacted in a comprehensive statement. He said while he has been made aware of the resolution, he received no prior notice on the matter and was not given the opportunity to be heard before the document was considered. “It is difficult to perceive of a more blatant violation of one’s fundamental right to procedural process,” he said.
Journal 3/4/2011
P4 Waylon wins silver medal
RMI wrestler Waylon Muller distinguished himself in American Samoa last week, winning the silver medal in his weight class. He turned in a stellar performance in spite of being significantly older than most of the competition.
P6 Be tempted by The Tempest
Rehearsals for Shakespeare’s play The Tempest continue at a fast clip over at MIHS with Professor Andrew Garrod presiding over the production.
P8 MIMRA bans export of fins and cucumbers
The Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority has banned the trade in and export of shark fins and sea cucumbers following reports of illegal export operations in the RMI.