Journal 5/25/1982
P1 Zeder and deBrum reported ‘eyeball to eyeball’
US Ambassador Fred Zeder said Thursday’s he’s “eyeball to eyeball” with Marshall Islands Foreign Secretary Tony deBrum in negotiations on the political status of the islands, according to a story in Pacific Daily News. Zeder, suffering from the flue and a 103-degree temperature, quickly left the United Nations Tuesday after deBrum insisted the United States come to terms on a compact of free association with his country this week or face the possibility it will declare its independence by October 1. DeBrum’s declaration was greeted with acclaim by some Micronesians and alarm by others. One high ranking UN official, who sought diplomatic anonymity, termed it “rude.” Zeder said deBrum’s statement didn’t catch him by surprise, though one US observer said, “You could feel the heat rising” among the US delegation as deBrum spoke (at the UN).
P3 ICA consultant explains ‘Blue Shirts’
All we know about them was that they are called “blue shirts” because they wear blue shirts and that they work for Trans Atoll Service Corporation. Recently we talked with Jamie Vergara at Kitco restaurant. He oversees offices in Guam, Saipan and Hawaii for the Institute of Cultural Affairs, the organization that sends blue shirt people around the world. The organization is a Chicago non-profit corporation. ICA is a division of the Ecumenical Institute of Chicago. In reading a study they made on the Marshalls economic and social development that they made some years ago, it is interesting to note that some of the projects they proposed were an inter-island airline, a copra processing mill and a museum. There are a dozen other interesting projects in the study. —Akio Heine
Journal 5/24/1991
P1 We are moving
President Amata Kabua addressed the 104 graduating students of the Marshall Islands High School May 21 before an overflow crowd at the high school gymnasium. In a carefully worded, short but terse address, the nation’s chief executive directed the students to continue education, either in a formal sense or otherwise. “As we move forward and we are moving,” he proclaimed confidently, “an educated public will be needed to face the modern world. It behooves you to work hard, to make yourself a credit to your family, your community and your country.”
P3 Hawaii teenagers enthusiastic about Majuro program
Seven Hawaii high school students are enthusiastically awaiting a three-week mission to Majuro next month. The students are from Maryknoll High School in Honolulu and will arrive June 9 to spend three weeks tutoring incoming freshmen in English at Assumption High School and assisting other school projects. Assumption Principal Sr. Aurora Dela Cruz said the school is looking forward to their arrival. Maryknoll theology teacher Ted Stepp, one of three adults accompanying the students to Majuro, said they purposely kept the group small for the first year to see how things work.
Journal 5/27/2011
P1 Presidents congratulate Bobo
During his speech to last week’s Coast Guard Academy graduating class, President Barack Obama recognized the Marshall Islands, President Zedkaia and the RMI’s first Coast Guard Academy graduate Jefferson Bobo. “This Academy welcomes cadets from all over the world, including two dedicated young men in your class from the Marshall Islands and Romania,” said Obama. “And I want to thank President Zedkaia of the Marshall Islands who is here.”
P1 Noniep versus the evil mejenkwar
A battle between a child Noniep and an angry mejenkwar (demon), who used the famous trickster Letao, unfolded at the Marshall Islands Resort Saturday. There were impressive personalities engaged in the battle, a pregnant woman possessed by the demon, magically disappearing persons, a suffering homeless kid and a devious Letao causing anguish to all he encountered. Even the famous magic lady known as Lijimu was no match for the combined power of the dastardly mejenkwar and Letao. This was the premiere of “Laninbwil’s Gift,” the 99-minute movie produced and directed by Jack Niedenthal and Suzanne Chutaro.