[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4698-S4699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, MICRONESIA AND PALAU

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I join my colleagues on the Senate 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in clarifying the portrayal 
of the military contributions of three island nations with which the 
United States has a unique political relationship referred to as free 
association: the Republic of the Marshall Islands, RMI, Federated 
States of Micronesia, FSM, and Palau. Last week an article in The 
Washington Post entitled ``White House Notebook: Many Willing, But Few 
Are Able'' referenced the military contributions of the Freely 
Associated States, FAS, in a droll and flippant manner. Regrettably, 
this poorly researched attempt at wit missed its mark. I want to set 
the record straight.
  The Compact of Free Association between the United States and these 
strategic Pacific island nations serves our national security interests 
in the Pacific region by providing the U.S.

[[Page S4699]]

strategic denial in the region. While title I of the Compact of Free 
Association recognizes that the peoples of the FSM and RMI are self-
governing and retain authority over their internal affairs, it mandates 
consultation with the United States on any defense and security 
matters. In addition, FAS citizens may volunteer in the U.S. Armed 
Forces, and FAS citizens who reside in the U.S. under the compact's 
provisions are subject to our Selective Service laws, and in the event 
of the return of conscription, could be drafted for military duty.
  There are hundreds of FAS citizens currently serving in the U.S. 
military, including a number of soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne 
Division and 3rd Infantry Division, Mechanized, currently deployed to 
Kuwait and Iraq in support of our military efforts. FAS citizens have 
served in the U.S. military for decades, and have participated in 
combat in every major U.S. engagement since the Korean war. Given the 
small populations of the island nations, almost every citizen has a 
relative or friend currently serving in the U.S. military, including 
FSM President Leo Falcam, whose son is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. 
Marine Corps.
  I have worked with FAS citizens for a number of years. I have visited 
these islands and have worked with my colleagues to successfully 
accomplish the goals of the Compact of Free Association. I applaud the 
patriotism of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, as well as 
their families, who are volunteering to defend our great Nation.

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