Front pages from 1983, 1992 and 2012.
Journal 8/5/1983
P1 Strings attached to $150 million?
Section 177 of the proposed Free Association Compact took most of the August 3 Nitijela session. Opposition speakers joined against what they claim are strings attached to the document and how the $150 million fund is to be spent. Wotje Sen. Tomeing said he didn’t think the Marshalls government should shoulder the responsibility for future possible problems such as contaminated ships and cables since this should be US responsibility. Mili Sen. Chutaro said he believes all the Marshalls is affected by the testing and $150 million is inadequate compensation. —Akio Heine
P2 Among other things
We predict the Compact of Free Association will pass. But not by a large margin. In the first place, people are out of wind and out of patience to wait any longer even if they feel the Compact is imperfect or can be improved or renegotiated again. All everyone is thinking about right now is money. Compact means money. Opportunities. Easing of present hardships. In short, they want anything but to remain under the Trusteeship. Denial of rights to be able to sue the United States someday in courts for damages caused by the US … are not on top of most people’s minds. Money is. Apparently we’d rather sue our own government later on than that of the United States. But as we said, people think mostly through their stomachs. —Akio Heine
Journal 8/7/1992
P15 Local communications business started
Communications equipment that is cheap, easy to operate, ideal for the outer islands or longer distances, and suitable for confidential discussions? Too good to be true? Not according to Steve Whitehead, who has just gone into private business to sell and service a specially designed radio/computer package for local communications.
P18 China’s message to RMI
The visit last week to the Marshall Islands by a delegation from the People’s Republic of China headed by Vice Chairman Peng Chong of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee prompted an exchange of toasts between the Chinese leader and Nitijela Speaker Kessai Note. “The Chinese government and people have all along supported the people of the Marshall Islands in their efforts to win national independence, and heartily rejoice in their achievements in safeguarding state sovereignty, preserving natural resources, development of a national economy, seeking international recognition and participating in regional cooperation,” said Chong.
Journal 8/10/2012
P3 Helping Assumption
Nine Marshallese Xavier High School students spent six weeks volunteering as teachers for the Assumption-sponsored Higher Achievement Program. This involved Carthney Laukon, AJ Alik, Anari Alfred, Jr., Davis Milne, James Myazoe Jr., Solomon Torejak, Carlos Kabua, Otto Poznanski and Joseia Lemari.
P6 Hilda’s message: ‘Ebwe’ is not ‘okay’
“We would like to see bigger improvements but we are seeing positive trends in all three grades that are tested,” said Education Minister Dr. Hilda Heine in comments to the Journal this week about the result of the 2012 MISAT. “We still have a long way to go.” Heine said: “Raising expectations is really important. We live with ‘ebwe’ (‘okay’).” But, she added, this is not an acceptable standard to guide people’s work. “We’re too comfortable with ‘ebwe.’ We need to move beyond this.”
