Subscriptions to the Journal Online are $57 a year using PayPal. Click on the Subscribe button to purchase a subscription using your credit card. The Marshall Islands Journal —­­­ Friday, March 7, 2014 1 Fiddler cast raises the roof The family dilemma of an arranged marriage is masterfully portrayed by Joanna Joseph (left) as Tzeitel, daughter Tevye (Vahid Pedro), strenuously objects to papa’s plan for her. Story, photos onpage 26. Photo: Hilary Hosia. $1 on The Marshall Islands Majuro Waylon P33 challenges ISSN: 0892 2096 allegations Friday, March 7, 2014 • Volume 45, Number 10 Smugglers grabbed SUZANNE CHUTARO Catholics are known to pray ‘Our Father who art in Heaven.’ But for Mudge Headless Bills Majuro Atoll Local Government (MALGov) police a phrase they say they always hear when detaining puts his scare business Chinese nationals for violating local laws is: “You wait for Our Father in Nitijela.” community So, last Thursday after the con- foot down fiscation of cargo and three purse Bills 11, 12 and 15 were dead on arrival at a Nitijela seiner tender boats, Mayor Mudge repeatedly thwarted by incumbent public hearing last Thursday as testifier after testifier Samuel was down at the Local Senators who have vested interests came forward blasting their introduction and question- Police headquarters waiting to find in businesses run by Chinese nation- ing the mere consideration of them by the government. just who this “Father in Nitijela” is als, he said. Assistant Attorney General Rosalie Aten Konou set of these local “sinners.” But following last Thursday’s Samuel says he is frustrated. arrest and confiscation, instead of the tone for the public hearing as she described the three “Every time the local police catch calling the national police or sub- bills as legs arriving without a head because another these boats off-loading at sites other mitting a report to the AG’s office, bill in a package of tax reform has yet to be the subject than Uliga port we submit our report Samuel called the Journal with of hearings or passage by Nitijela, and yet these three to the Attorney General’s Office,” this message: “Majuro Atoll Local proposed laws getting a hearing Thursday depend on said Samuel. “But, nothing ever gets Government will no longer allow the “mother” bill. done because these offenders have smuggled goods into the country!” “It refers to money being transferred to an authority ‘fathers’ in Nitijela.” “We’ve repeatedly caught these MALGov Mayor Mudge that does not even exist,” explained Konou, adding also According to Samuel his officers boats coming in with cigarettes, fish Samuel. “it gives authority to a Chief Executive Office that has attempt to arrest foreign nation- and other goods and we give reports Continued page 6 als violating laws but have been Continued page 2 Talk to us at [email protected] • Subscribe to the Journal Online at www.marshallislandsjournal.com 2 Friday, March 7, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal Police catch two with their cargo From page 1 Sylvester Hoblong said the local to the AG but nothing ever hap- police responded and caught pens,” Samuel told the Journal. two crewmen with their cargo. This latest capture by MAL- The men were arrested and the Gov police occurred around 9pm MALGov loader was used to on Wednesday night after local drag ashore three tender boats MALGov Police pose with the residents called police to notify on to Delap Park. These tenders arrested men and their tenders. them of purse seiner tender boats were still there earlier this week. Photo: Suzanne Chutaro off-loading on the lagoon in front “All fishing tender boats need a business across from the Capi- to go to the dock — nowhere tal building. MALGov Detective else!” warned Hoblong. Choueiry: ‘I wasn’t the Jamil link’ A Lebanese citizen who ad- of investment and opportunities ernment. “I am in a personal vises Palau President Tommy Lebanese advisor to Palau in the two countries.” relationship with more than 18 Remengesau, Jr. said this week Choueiry said some investors countries worldwide,” he said. that although he met with Mar- are interested to initiate invest- “I did introduce many candi- shall Islands leaders in Palau last President comments ments such as beach resorts in dates interested to represent some September, he does not know the RMI and FSM. of the countries and I succeeded Jamil el-Sayed and did not talk The Journal was told earlier Mr. Jamil el-Sayed, I have never “I did ask the officials if they in introducing with success some about his candidacy to represent this month by RMI officials when been introduced to this gentleman will be receptive to open repre- candidates who are now honorary the RMI at UNESCO. the controversy over el-Sayed’s and I have never discussed with sentations as honorary consulates consuls. Georges Choueiry, an advisor nomination to UNESCO became the officials of the government in the Republic of Lebanon,” he “That is why I am trying to to Remengesau who is based public that the Marshall Islands his candidacy for the post at said. He repeated that this was establish relations with some of in Lebanon, was in Palau for connection to Lebanon and el- UNESCO,” said Choueiry. related to Lebanon not UNESCO. the Pacific countries.” its independence celebrations Sayed was initiated during a visit “I was in Palau during the “I stress that I do not know He said that Lebanon currently last September and met with to Palau last September. festivities of the national day Mr. el-Sayed, never met him and has no representation in this part President Loeak and other RMI But Choueiry told the Journal of the Republic of Palau. I was never proposed his name for any of the world and his interest is government leaders including this week that his talks with introduced to the Marshalls and position.” “to strengthen cultural, tourism Ministers Phillip Muller and RMI leaders had nothing to do Federated States of Micronesia Choueiry said he is not rep- and trade activities” between Tony deBrum. with UNESCO. “I do not know officials. We did discuss issues resenting the Lebanese gov- Lebanon and Pacific islands. Tomaki to resign Vice Speakership Bikini Senator Tomaki Juda has indicated his desire to step down from the Vice Speaker position he has held in Nitijela for the past two years. A resolution to this effect was introduced to Nitijela last week. It was not approved because some senators objected to the form. It is expected to be modified and resubmitted. Juda is to remain in Nitijela as a member of parlia- ment. He is the second Vice Speaker to step down Two missionaries of The Church of Jesus during their term. The first was Majuro Senator Alik Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) who recently Alik, who stepped down in 2011. completed their two-year service were found at the airport saying their farewell before departing on United Airlines. Elder Richard Wayas (left) and his wife Sister Toni Wayas (right) served Four eye doctors to hold as office missionaries here in the LDS Majuro Mission. They were leaving for the US late last month. Joining them at the airport was Sister Latu Huni who is near to completing her 18 months as a sister missionary. clinics around Majuro Four optometrists from the US last month at different locations un- • LDS Long Island Church – March are due to be on Majuro Monday to der the supervision of Elder Johnson 11 – 8am to noon conduct free eye examinations, and and Sister Johnson. • Rita Salvation Army – March provide frames and eyeglass pre- According to Elder Johnson, over 11 – 2 to 6pm scriptions to the public. 600 people went through screening • Alele Museum – March 12 – 8am The doctors come through The and those who need to see the doc- to 6pm Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- tors received vouchers. People who • Ministry of Internal Affairs Train- Day Saints’ (LDS) Humanitarian do not have vouchers may still go for ing Center in Delap (next to local food Services, the LDS Charities and the screening and exams. market) – March 13 – 8am to 6pm local Lions Club efforts to provide The eye exams will be held at the • Ajeltake LDS Church – March eye exams. following: 14 – 8am to noon In preparation for the doctors visit, • Laura CMI Campus – March 10 • Ajeltake Elementary School – eye screenings were conducted all – 2 to 6pm March 14 – 8am to noon. The Marshall Islands Journal —­­­ Friday, March 7, 2014 3 Paul: Tax Money cuts put Job bills will hurt the Corps future in doubt people The continuation of the US Job Corps program The Wotho and the eligibility of Marshall Islands candidates Passage of the proposed tax bill community is dependent on the success of alumni getting will see excise taxes set at prices that recently jobs — whether jobs in the Marshall Islands or will further hurt the local community. in the US. recognized IOM, At last Thursday’s public hearing, Because of this requirement, Hawaii Job Corps USAID, and attorney David Strauss pointed out Center Business and Community liaison Julie WUTMI for their Bill 15 proposes to increase excise Dugan and Outreach Assistant Ricky Raymond support during tax on diesel fuel and jet fuel by are hoping Job Corps students will consider job the drought. 250 percent and gas by 80 percent. opportunities not just in their home country but From left: IOM’s Meanwhile the consumption tax rate in Hawaii and the US mainland as well. Angela Saunders, is at 15 percent — despite claims “The success and the future of Job Corps will WUTMI by proponents of Bill 11 that the rely on the graduates,” explained Dugan.