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. 28, 2003

WASHINGTON - This afternoon, at approximately 5:20 PM (Washington D.C. time), the United States House of Representatives approved the Compact of Free Association, as Amended between the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Government of the United States of America. The approval took place under a suspension of the rules, without objection, and with bi-partisan support.

Statements of support were made by both Republican and Democrat members of the House citing the importance of the relationship between the two countries under the Compact; the need to move the approval process forward by urging timely passage by Congress; and describing various provisions of the Compact, as Amended including the need to maintain educational support in the RMI in the upcoming years. In addition, statements were made that the Congress needs to consider the consequences of the Nuclear Testing Program in the RMI in the near future after passage of the Compact, as Amended by the U.S. Congress.

This action in the House of Representatives paves the way for action by the U.S. Senate.

"This is an historic occasion for the RMI and we are most pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives realized the importance of the Compact and the relationship between our two countries by taking timely and favorable action on the Compact, as Amended. We look forward to continuing our work with the U.S. Congress and Administration to complete the approval process and move forward with implementation. We are on the threshold of ushering in a new era under the Compact between the RMI and the United States which will strengthen our partnership and promote long term stability", said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerald M. Zackios.

"We made substantial progress today with approval of the amended Compact by the U.S. House of Representatives. On behalf of the RMI, I wish to thank the members of the House of Representatives for their support and in particular the House Committees with jurisdiction and their staff for all of their hard work and diligence over the past several months. This is a remarkable achievement for legislation that had been introduced in Congress only a few months ago. I would also like to thank the Embassy staff and RMI Compact team for their efforts in engaging members of Congress and their staffs in helping to see the process through," said RMI Ambassador to the United States, Banny deBrum.

Copyright © 2003 Pacific Islands Report. All Rights Reserved