GIFF JOHNSON
The Marshall Islands signed off on the Compact of Free Association Monday in Honolulu, the last of the three freely associated states to renew its Compact relationship with the United States.
The signing was held at the East-West Center in Honolulu. East-West Center President Suzanne Vares-Lum hailed the signing as an “historic agreement.”
Marshall Islands negotiators labeled the agreement “a major milestone” and in the “interests of both of our nations.”
Assistant Secretary of Interior and former US Ambassador to the FSM Carmen Cantor said the new Compact demonstrates a “commitment by our two government to improve the lives of Marshallese, whether they are in the Marshall Islands or live in the United States.”
US Special Envoy Joseph Yun and Foreign Minister Jack Ading signed three documents:
- The amended Compact of Free Association, a 20-year agreement that will run to 2043.
- Fiscal Procedures Agreement governing oversight and accountability of US grant funding.
- Trust Fund agreement, governing the existing over $700 million Compact Trust Fund and the additional funding totally $700 million to be provided under the new agreement.
Compact Negotiator Phillip Muller made the point during his remarks at the ceremony that the United States had “inadequately addressed (the nuclear test legacy) in negotiating the original Compact of Free Association and wrongfully and mistakenly refused to discuss in amending it in 2003.”
But both Ading and Muller said the RMI can use the new $700 million to respond to nuclear test legacy and other needs.
“Under this new agreement, the trust fund was repurposed to meet needs of our people that would otherwise not be met – needs solely determined by the RMI,” said Muller. “The existing (trust fund) amount, which includes contributions from Taiwan, will be used for needs of our population to be decided by the RMI. The additional amount will be used for needs of people who have suffered because of US nuclear or other military activities.”
Ading praised the long-term nature of the agreement, including agreement of the US to continue its support beyond the 20-year life of the current Compact funding agreement.
“This agreement will strengthen the relationship and address outstanding issues as well as continuing mutual obligations,” said Ading. “We also have a commitment to continue economic support after the next twenty years through a review and negotiation process. This should end the problem our nation has faced with eroding economic support while remaining firm in keeping our security and defense commitments. These issues go hand in hand, and our new agreements reflect this reality.”
Ading said the new agreement, unlike the past 20 years, allows the RMI to set its own budget priorities.
“Together, we reached fair and good compromises in the interests of both of our nations,” Ading said. “Compact three will usher in a new era of improvements in our relationship and will address some outstanding issues that have persisted over the past 40 years.”
President David Kabua and First Lady Ginger Kabua were among many VIPs attending the signing ceremony, which was also viewed online by many people.