[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E487-E488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




APPRECIATION OF THE HONORABLE IMATA KABUA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
                          THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, last month I was privileged to travel 
with the House Resources Congressional Delegation to the Pacific 
Insular areas. Chairman Don Young should be commended for providing 
this opportunity to Resource Committee members to educate themselves on 
the issues that confront the people of Guam, American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands. In this regard our trip was a success and I hope that 
my colleagues who were fortunate to join the Young CODEL--Rep. Dana 
Rohrabacher, Rep. John Doolittle, Rep. Collin Peterson, Rep. Ken 
Calvert, Rep. Eni Faleomavaega and Rep. Donna Christian-Christensen--
have gained a better understanding of Pacific Insular issues.

[[Page E488]]

  I would like to extend my appreciation to the people and leaders of 
each destination that the Young CODEL visited for their warm welcome 
and island hospitality. In my remarks today I would like to submit, for 
the record, the statement of the President Imata Kabua of the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands. I want to express my gratitude for his 
collaborative efforts on behalf of his country to advance the economic, 
educational, social and political needs of his people.
  I also want to take this opportunity to state that I share President 
Kabua's desire for the House Resources Committee and the Congress to 
work closely in the renegotiations of the Compacts of Free Association 
with the United States which will commence later this year. I am 
hopeful that all issues can be addressed in the renegotiations and that 
concerns of all affected parties will be taken into consideration.

                   Statement of President Imata Kabua


 U.S. Codel Meeting with President Kabua and his cabinet, February 20, 
                                  1999

       Chairman Young, Members of the CODEL, staff, friends: It is 
     indeed an honor and a pleasure for me to welcome you to the 
     Republic of the Marshall Islands. After your long flight, I 
     trust that you now have a better understanding of the vast 
     distance of ocean and land that we cover every time we visit 
     you in Washington, DC.
       The people and government of the Marshall Islands have long 
     considered the United States our close friend and ally. Our 
     nations share commitments to freedom, democracy, world peace 
     and well-being for all peoples. These shared commitments are 
     enshrined in the Compact of Free Association, the U.S. Public 
     Law that joined our nations in the strategic alliance.
       As the President of the Marshall Islands, I can assure you 
     that our nation is seriously committed to strengthening our 
     mutually beneficial partnership.
       Critical to our strategic partnership is our continued 
     hosting of the already expanded military testing facilities 
     on Kwajalein Atoll. I would be remiss if I failed to 
     communicate to you that our relationship with the U.S. 
     military is the strongest it has ever been. We continue to 
     work closely with the Department of Defense to enhance the 
     military's important efforts on the atoll and in the region.
       Chairman Young, I want to personally thank you and the 
     members of your Committee for your efforts at extending to 
     the Marshall Islands the assistance that honors the 
     objectives of the Compact.
       Specifically, I want to thank you for extending the Pell 
     Grant to our students, providing FEMA support to help us cope 
     with natural disasters and for continuing to recognize the 
     agricultural and resettlement needs of the communities harmed 
     the most by the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Testing Program. These 
     actions signal to the Marshall Islands that the Untied States 
     values our bilateral relationship.
       Education remains our top priority along with health 
     services for our people. We value the Federal programs and 
     assistance in these areas and assure you that accountability 
     and proper administration will always be our main focus.
       I also want to thank you for the resolution that Chairman 
     Ben Gilman, Delegate Eni Faleomavaega and you introduced last 
     Congress. House Concurrent Resolution 92 stands as a 
     testimony to the success of the bilateral relationship.
       In a few moments, you will be hearing more about the 
     Nitijela's corresponding resolutions, and this parliamentary 
     body's shared appreciation of the points so eloquently stated 
     in H. Con. Res. 92.
       The RMI Government looks forward to engaging the U.S. 
     Government in productive discussions to address certain 
     provisions of the Compact of Free Association. Our designated 
     negotiator is ready to meet with your designee to begin our 
     discussions as soon as possible. It is our hope that you can 
     encourage the Administration to expedite the appointment of 
     the U.S. chief negotiator so we can begin this dialogue.
       In advance of the upcoming Compact negotiations, our 
     government would like to work closely with your Committee, 
     the Members of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. government to 
     address some outstanding issues that need to be resolved, 
     specifically the ``changed circumstances'' issue provided for 
     in Section 177, Article IX of the Compact and concerns we 
     have surrounding Section 111(d).
       The first Compact has taught us that the relationship works 
     and that its continuation is important to both nations. The 
     second Compact challenges us to think about the most 
     appropriate and effective means to build on our mutual 
     security and economic and social needs.
       I would also like to make the CODEL aware of some of the 
     positive actions the RMI government has undertaken. We have 
     initiated major reforms and taken concrete steps to ensure 
     progress in our nation-building efforts.
       Over the past five years, we have successfully streamlined 
     government, created an environment conducive for private 
     sector and foreign investment and have taken important steps 
     in building our nation's infrastructure to sustain economic 
     growth and prosperity.
       These efforts are empowering our people to participate in 
     the world economy. We strongly believe that our continued 
     partnership will assist us in meeting the challenges of the 
     next century.
       The RMI has also been aggressively working with other 
     mutual allies in the Pacific region. We have established 
     strong diplomatic ties with many of our neighbors and mutual 
     friends. These efforts are beginning to pay tremendous 
     benefits in the form of economic assistance and private 
     sector investment.
       At this time, I want to welcome you and to extend my deep 
     appreciation for this visit. I hope you return to Washington 
     knowing that the Marshallese people are your friends and 
     allies. We want you to enjoy yourselves while you are here 
     and to take in our island hospitality and beauty.

     

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