Flag Island Marshall

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a sovereign nation in "free association" with the United States. After more than a decade of negotiation, the Marshall Islands and the United States signed the Compact of Free Association on June 25, 1983. The people of the Marshall Islands approved the compact in a UN-observed plebiscite on September 7, 1983. The U.S. Congress subsequently approved the compact, adding several amendments which were accepted by the Government of the Marshall Islands and the compact entered into force on October 21, 1986. In 1999-2003, the two nations negotiated an amended Compact that entered into force on May 1, 2004. Under the amended Compact, the U.S. will provide the RMI $57 million over the next ten years and $62 million over the following 10 years, and will give Marshallese access to U.S. programs and services throughout. A Joint Economic Management and Financial Accountability Committee (JEMFAC) comprised of representatives of both governments will ensure t ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - East Asia and the Pacific

U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Marshall Islands, May 1996Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsPrepared and released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of Pacific Island AffairsMay 1996Official Name: Republic of the Marshall IslandsPROFILEGeographyArea: 181 sq. km. (approximately 70 sq. mi.) of islands scattered over 500,000 sq. mi. of the Western Pacific; slightly larger than Washington, DC.Cities: Capital--Majuro (pop. 225000). Other cities--Ebeye, Jaluit.Terrain: 29 low-lying coral atolls and islands.Climate: Tropical with a wet season from May to November.PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Marshallese.Population (1996 est.): 56,000.Annual growth rate: 4%.Ethnic groups: 90% Marshallese, 10% U.S., Filipino, Chinese, New Zealander, and Korean.Religions: Christian, mostly Protestant.Languages: English; two major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; Japanese.Education: Literacy (1995)--60%.Health: Infant mortality rate-- ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - East Asia and the Pacific

U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Kiribati, May 1996Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsPrepared and released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of Pacific Island AffairsMay 1996Official Name: Republic of KiribatiPROFILEGeographyArea: 719 sq. km. (266 sq. mi.).Capital: Tarawa.Terrain: Archipelago of low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs.Climate: Hot and humid, moderated by trade winds.PeopleNationality: I'KiribatiPopulation (1995): 77,852; Tarawa (1995): 32,356.Annual growth rate (1995): 1.45%Ethnic groups: Predominantly Micronesian, with some Polynesian.Religions: 54% Roman Catholic, 30% Protestant (Congregational), some Seventh-day Adventist, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints and Church of God.Languages: English (official), I-Kiribati.Education (1985): Compulsory through age 11. Literacy--90%.Health (1990): Infant mortality rate--62/1,000. Life expectancy--55 yrs. male, 60 yrs. female.Work force: 7,000.GovernmentT ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - East Asia and the Pacific

U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Micronesia, June 1996Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsPrepared and released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of Pacific Island AffairsJune 1996Official Name: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)PROFILEPeopleNationality: Noun and adjective: Micronesian(s).Population: 105,900 (1994 est.).Annual growth rate: 3.35% (1995 est.).Ethnic groups: Nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups.Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%.Languages: English (official and common language), Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosraean.Education: Literacy--89% (1980 est.).Health: Infant mortality rate--37 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.). Life expectancy--men 66 yrs., women 70 yrs. (1995 est.).GeographyArea: 702 sq. km. (approximately 270 sq. mi.) in four major island groups totaling 607 islands.Cities: FSM Capital--Palikir (Pohnpei).Other cities: Moen (Chuuk), Colonia (Yap), Lelu (Kosrae).Terrain: Island ... [Read More]

The Bush Administration’s Forward Strategy For Nonproliferation

During the recent Presidential debate, there was a great deal of discussion about the efforts of his Administration to tackle the problems of the proliferation of nuclear technology, and the grave threat posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the hands of terrorists. The two minutes for answering questions, of course, does not give anyone sufficient time to fully detail the enormous strides President Bush has made to reinvent the nonproliferation regime he inherited. Methodically, piece-by-piece, the Bush Administration is crafting policies to fill gaping holes, reinforcing earlier patchwork fixes, assembling allies, creating precedents, setting new limits, and changing perceived realities and stilted legal thinking. The President deserves much praise for taking these indispensable actions to reverse our slide into helpless gridlock and inaction in dealing with the threats posed by those who would flout international treat ... [Read More]

II. Description of Programs

A German-American partnership, the Marshall Center is dedicated to advancing democratic defense institutions and relationships; promoting active, peaceful cooperation; and enhancing enduring partnerships between the nations of America, Europe, and Eurasia. The Center retains a highly qualified international faculty and staff from several countries, including Canada, Germany, France, Romania, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The Marshall Center offers post-graduate studies at three levels (Captain (O-3) through Flag Officer (O-8) with civilian equivalents), conferences, research programs, foreign area studies, and language courses to civilian and military professionals from more than 45 countries. Programs are offered in three languages (Russian, English and German), with over 50 percent of the attendees speaking Russian as a first or second language. This, along with the non-NATO nature of the Center makes the Center a sought after venue for countries throughout Europe and Eurasia to wo ... [Read More]

Embassy of the United States in Manila

-- Ambassador-Designate Morris Discusses Marshall Island Policy (Text: Morris's June 18 statement to Senate Foreign Relations panel) ...

-- U.S. Seventh Fleet Flag Ship visits the Philippines ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: Thwarting Terrorism Requires Strong International Partners

Loy said it was necessary after the terrorist attacks of September 2001 to transform military capabilities, adapt to a new enemy and rely more heavily on U.S. partners worldwide. This is an enemy, he said, without a flag, national borders or a president to lead it -- an enemy possessing only a deep and abiding hatred and desire to harm innocents. ...

And unlike the past, we now face an enemy with no flag, no borders, no president, nothing but deeply held hatred and a desire to see our countries - and our citizens - harmed. We face an enemy that seeks chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons with which to wreak untold havoc in our cities, against our nations, and at the expense of the innocent. ... [Read More]