PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Oct. 29, 2003

WASHINGTON - A few days before the Compact goes for approval in the U.S. House of Representatives, Marshall Islands President Kessai Note received assurance of full support for the Compact of Free Association, as Amended, between the RMI and U.S., from United States President George W. Bush. President Bush, on his way to Washington from Asia, met with President Note and other Pacific leaders on Thursday.

President Note, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Gerald Zackios, arrived in Honolulu early last week to attend the Pacific Islands Leaders’ Conference sponsored by East-West Center. "The two leaders spoke about the Compact, as Amended," said Minister Zackios. "President Bush assured President Note that his administration fully supports the Compact."

Note acknowledged to Bush that the Compact of Free Association has been a national security and political success for the two nations. "It is my hope that our two governments can pull together now to ensure that this success is sustained for the next 20 years and beyond," Note told Bush.

During the meeting, President Bush instructed his senior staffs to treat the Compact, as Amended, as one of the top priorities in the administration. Also present during the meeting were National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Deputy Secretary James Kelley (US State Department), and other senior White House staff members.

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