Political Reviews

Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 john r haglelgam, david w kupferman, kelly g marsh, samuel f mcphetres, donald r shuster, tyrone j taitano

Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 lorenz gonschor, hapakuke pierre leleivai, margaret mutu, forrest wade young

© 2012 by University of Hawai‘i Press

135 Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011

Reviews of Kiribati and Nauru are not the office of the FSM president, this included in this issue. liaison office “is the first one ever established by the organization to Federated States of cover the North Pacific region” and Micronesia “the first new clo created by the In August 2010, Federated States of WHO in 30 years.” Serving the Feder- Micronesia (FSM) President Emanuel ated States, the Marshall Islands, and “Manny” Mori traveled to Vanuatu to Palau, the office will assist health offi- attend the 41st meeting of the Pacific cials in such areas as diabetes, heart Islands Forum. While in Vanuatu, on disease, infectious diseases, injury 4 August, Mori signed a Partnership prevention, health system strengthen- for Development Agreement with ing, and tobacco control. It will help the Australian government. Through in detecting and responding to out- jointly determined technical and breaks of such infectious diseases as financial assistance, the agreement multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis and will support FSM efforts to imple- dengue. In addition, it will coordi- ment development strategies geared nate and provide training for health toward sustainable economic growth. professionals in the countries within In exchange for Australian assistance, its regional jurisdiction (fsmis Press “the FSM Government will pursue Release, 16 Aug 2010). its development through appropriate Also in August, FSM Vice Presi- budgets, laws, policies, strategies and dent Alik L Alik received Ambassador programs; will optimize the use of aid Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch of to achieve this development; and will the Federal Republic of Germany. continue to work towards its Millen- Weber-Lortsch has been the German nium Development Goals” (fsmis resident ambassador in the Philippines Press Release, 13 Aug 2010). since 2008 and is also diplomatically The World Health Organization accredited to the Federated States. The (WHO) became the most recent inter- ambassador returned to the Feder- national organization to establish a ated States to seek support for his presence in the Federated States when country’s ultimately successful can- it opened a new Country Liaison didacy for a non-permanent seat on Office (clo) on 16 August 2010. The the United Nations Security Council. opening ceremony commenced with Weber-Lortsch took the opportunity the unveiling of a who plaque at the to inform the vice president that entrance of the Department of Health his government is providing a grant and Social Affairs office building, of $7,000 to Micronesian Seminar where the liaison office is located. (MicSem) to defray travel expenses for According to the press release from MicSem representatives who wish to

136 political reviews • micronesia 137 visit selected archives and institutions bly and other venues, as well as the in Germany in order to make copies actions taken through the “Green of rare Micronesian historical photo- Micronesia Initiative” to ameliorate graphs from the German period. The climate-change impacts. President ambassador also expressed his govern- Mori informed Ambassador Lillie ment’s desire to establish an Honorary that during the upcoming UN Climate Consul for Germany in the Federated Change Conference in Mexico the States and also raised the possibility of FSM Government would “continue locating a European Union Regional to seek the support of the UK Gov- Office in the country (fsmis Press ernment and the European Union . . . Release, 16 Aug 2010). to combat climate change.” The A month after the German ambas- president further informed the ambas- sador’s visit, a group of French law- sador that during that conference the makers, accompanied by the French Federated States intended to introduce ambassador to the Philippines, arrived proposals to phase out hydrofluoro- “to observe, listen and learn from their carbons (hfcs) and to “eliminate one encounters with people of the region.” of the six gases listed in the Kyoto The group represented a French Senate Protocol” (fsmis Press Release, 12 organization called Groupe D’Amitié Oct 2010). et D’Études des Pays du Pacifique The country has made significant (Group of Friendship and Study of political overtures to the Muslim the Countries of the Pacific), which world. On 13 October 2010, the sends annual goodwill and fact-finding Federated States of Micronesia and missions to Pacific Island countries. the Kingdom of Morocco established According to the FSM Information formal diplomatic relations when Service, the team reports back to the Ambassador Masao Nakayama, the French Senate “to discuss the needs head of the FSM Permanent Mission and aspirations voiced by the different to the United Nations, and his spokespeople they meet on such trips” Moroccan counterpart, Ambassador (fsmis Press Release, 22 Sept 2010). Mohammed Loulichki, signed a joint In October 2010, British Ambas- communiqué in New York express- sador Stephen Lillie arrived to present ing the desires of the two countries his official credentials to President to “promote friendly relations and Mori. Lillie is the new UK resident cooperation . . . in political, economic, ambassador in the Philippines and cultural and other fields” (fsmis Press is diplomatically accredited to the Release, 13 Oct 2010). The two coun- Federated States of Micronesia. The tries agreed that the principles and United Kingdom is a Pacific Islands objectives of the United Nations Char- Forum Dialogue Partner and has sent ter and the 1961 Vienna Conventions high-level government officials to on Diplomatic and Consular Relations attend Forum meetings. The ambas- would guide their new relationship. sador welcomed the Federated States’ About three weeks earlier, the Fed- role in raising international awareness erated States wrote what was referred of climate change through powerful to as a “significant page in the diplo- speeches at the UN General Assem- matic history” of the country. While in 138 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

New York to participate in the meet- with the Federated States started ing of the 65th UN General Assembly, when he was the chief US negotiator FSM Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the first Compact of Free Associa- Lorin S Robert and his Egyptian tion, during President Jimmy Carter’s counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmed administration. The American Jewish Aboul Gheit, signed a formal agree- Committee is a worldwide organiza- ment establishing non-resident ambas- tion headquartered in New York City, sadorial–level diplomatic relations with a key office in Washington DC between the Federated States and the to liaise with federal agencies and Arab Republic of Egypt. In the joint monitor international activities. The communiqué announcing the formal- committee started in the early 1900s ization of their diplomatic relations, as “a response to bigotry aimed at the two countries stated that they “are Russian Jews.” Now it has morphed fully convinced that the establishment into “an advocacy organization and of diplomatic relations corresponds a think-tank committed to support- to the interests of both States and ing the State of Israel and combating will strengthen international peace anti-Semitism by promoting pluralism and stability” (fsmis Press Release, and democratic values, among others” 25 Sept 2010). The establishment of (fsmis Press Release, 19 Oct 2010). diplomatic relations with Egypt is With its headquarters located in the historic because Egypt was the first same city as the United Nations, the Arab country to formally recognize American Jewish Committee has been the sovereignty of the Federated States able to establish and maintain contact of Micronesia, but the FSM press with high FSM government officials release indicated other considerations who arrive to address the world body. for establishing formal ties with Egypt. As pointed out in a press release, the For instance, it pointed to Egypt’s meeting between FSM officials and place in history, its role as a key player ajc members is now a “tradition.” In in the Middle East, and its status as what has been dubbed “a triangular the most populated Arab country. It relationship,” the American Jewish further mentioned the fact that Egypt Committee has played a major role is “considered comparatively more “in promoting relations between the moderate than its neighboring Arab FSM and the State of Israel with the countries” and that, in November US as the base of operation.” This 1977, it “broke ranks with the other relationship has led to unequivo- Arab states and established friendly cal FSM support for Israel “in the relations with the State of Israel” context of the UN System and other (fsmis Press Release, 25 Sept 2010). multilateral forums” and, in response, Vice President Alik, who was also to what Rosenblatt described as “a in New York to address the 65th UN groundswell of gratitude of the people General Assembly, took the opportu- and leaders of Israel.” The Federated nity to meet with Peter Rosenblatt and States has benefited from direct ajc other members of the American Jewish humanitarian assistance as well as Committee (ajc) on 24 September from the committee’s help in secur- 2010. Mr Rosenblatt’s acquaintance ing the donation of medicines by an political reviews • micronesia 139

Israeli pharmaceutical company and in States, the People’s Republic of China arranging for the Israeli government to (PRC) was the first permanent mem- provide two dialysis machines (fsmis ber of the UN Security Council to Press Release, 19 Oct 2010). recognize the Federated States’ sover- The preceding paragraphs reveal eign independence and to establish an the depth of the official FSM relation- embassy there. At present, the PRC ship with Israel. Whether this com- embassy in the Federated States is mitment is a spinoff of the Federated its only foothold in the Micronesian States’ relationship with the United region. States is not relevant to this review. From 9 to 22 August 2010, Presi- Suffice it to say that relations with dent Mori visited the southeastern Israel have become the linchpin of the islands of Chuuk State—the Mortlock FSM foreign policy toward the Arab Islands—with a large delegation of countries. The impact of this policy national officials. According to the has limited the ability of the Feder- press release, the president discussed ated States to reach out to Muslim the importance of Chuuk State’s finan- countries for technical and financial cial reform, sponsored jointly with assistance in social and economic the national government. This reform, development. the president reported, has reduced In August 2010, Vice President Chuuk’s deficit and created positive Alik led a delegation to the World cash flow during the past two years. Expo in Shanghai, China. While at the The Mortlockese, however, were more Expo, Alik, along with Shanghai Vice concerned about the solvency of the Mayor Tu Guangshao and other FSM FSM social security program. The and Chinese dignitaries, celebrated president informed the Mortlockese FSM National Day at a flag-raising that he would recommend that the ceremony, with the FSM national FSM Congress fund social security anthem played by a Chinese mili- from the tax revenue collected from tary band. After the ceremony, Vice newly registered corporations. The President Alik gave his formal speech national government is expected to in the Expo Center’s Welcome Hall. generate $10–20 million from this Thanking the Chinese government for taxing scheme. In addition, Mori said supporting the Federated States’ par- he would ask the congress to “revamp ticipation, he said, “We truly appreci- the social security system to be more ate the opportunity to be part of the efficient and responsive to people’s World Expo, and we continually look immediate needs” (fsmis Press forward to working with the Chinese Release, 6 Sept 2010). Government for future projects” The president also informed the (fsmis Press Release, 30 Aug 2010). people that his administration is work- The special attention China granted ing with the country’s development to the Federated States at the Shang- partners to assist with power needs. hai Expo is a tribute to the long and He explained that he intended “to stable relationship between the two gradually replace electricity genera- countries, which is based on the “One tors with solar and windmill power China” policy. Besides the United sources” (fsmis Press Release, 6 Sept 140 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

2010). As a political gesture to the tion is collecting data from the four Mortlockese, and perhaps with an states, which it hopes will show how eye toward the March 2011 election, many teachers are enrolled in training the president administered the oath programs and how many plan to take of office to Marion Henry—a local the National Standardized Tests for boy—to head the national Department Teachers. Taking these steps may fulfill of Resources and Development. the teachers’ individual development The president’s statement during plans and satisfy jemco conditions for his visit to the Mortlocks indicates teacher certification. jemco approval the entrenchment of his administra- will offer a respite of one or two years tion’s involvement in Chuuk affairs. so that the 1,183 uncertified teachers For example, he continues to flaunt can acquire their teaching certificates the reform of the national govern- (fsmis Press Release, 6 Sept 2010). ment that was instituted jointly with On 22 September 2010, Beau- Chuuk. Although this has produced leen Carl-Worswick became the first positive results for the administration woman to serve as an associate justice of the state, some believe it remains on the FSM Supreme Court. Carl- a flagrant violation of the federalism Worswick graduated from Hawaii Loa enunciated in the national constitu- College (now Hawai‘i Pacific Univer- tion. The president seemed set to sity) on O‘ahu in 1984. She received continue interfering in states’ affairs her legal education at Gonzaga Uni- when he announced his intention to versity Law School in Spokane, Wash- replace electrical generators with sus- ington. She has extensive experience in tainable energy sources. The president private practice and has worked with can only assist the states in acquiring the state and national governments solar and windmill energy because (fsmis Press Release, 22 Sept 2010). the national government does not run President Mori should be commended power plants in any of the states. Each for appointing such a well-qualified of the states sets its own power policy woman to serve in the national court and regulations. system. The FSM Department of Educa- During the March 2011 national tion was jolted into reality when it election, four incumbent senators lost received data from the US Department their seats—a rare occurrence in FSM of Education indicating that about 61 national elections. Senators Peter Sitan percent of the teachers in public and and Joe Suka of Chuuk and Fredrick private primary and secondary schools Primo of Pohnpei lost to three state do not meet the certification require- legislators. In the Chuuk State at- ment under FSM law. To meet statu- large seat, President Mori defeated tory requirements as well as those of incumbent Sitro Paul and Anna Asauo the Compact US-FSM Joint Economic Wengu, the only female candidate in Management Committee (jemco), the the election. Vice President Alik ran Mori administration is asking the FSM unopposed for the at-large seat in Congress to appropriate $3.5 million Kosrae. These victories cleared the for a teacher-certification program. way for Manny Mori and Alik Alik to The national department of educa- seek reelection. political reviews • micronesia 141

After the general election, and in broached in a letter to Secretary of the congressional caucus immediately State Hillary Clinton and Secretary preceding the presidential election, of the Interior Ken Salazar. The Pohnpei made concerted efforts to get letter raised concerns about the free- its at-large senator, Peter Christian, migration provisions of the compact elected to the presidency. Despite this, and recommended policies to reduce however, on 11 May 2011, the 17th the burden on US states experiencing FSM Congress reelected Manny Mori “compact impact” (pir 12 May 2011; and Alik Alik to the presidency and Johnson 2011). vice presidency, respectively. FSM The president also did not address a Chief Justice Martin Yinug adminis- political problem in his own backyard: tered the oath of office to the two men the “on and off” Faichuk secession in the congressional chamber. A more movement. The Faichuk independence public swearing-in ceremony took movement is becoming a political place on 29 July 2011 in the FSM- comedy on a grand international scale. China Friendship Sports Center at the Acting President Kachutosy Paulus College of Micronesia–FSM. of the so-called Faichuk Republic President Mori’s victory is a tribute has declared the existence of Faichuk to the strong unity of the Chuuk del- as a distinct political entity that is egation and to the president’s ability independent from the Federated States to broker political compromise with of Micronesia. The acting president members of the other congressional issued the independence declaration in delegations. His victory in the general Guam, and subsequently, a self-styled election is also a model for future Chinese ambassador to the Faichuk presidents to emulate in order to over- Republic showed up in Pohnpei to come the first hurdle in their reelection inform the PRC resident ambassador attempts. President Mori spent less of her status. This angered the PRC money on reelection efforts than his ambassador and blind-sided and two opponents did. He did not suc- embarrassed national officials, includ- cumb to pressure to pardon the former ing President Mori (Jaynes 2011). Chuukese national senators convicted The election of Manny Mori to the of felonies in the FSM Supreme Court. presidency and Alik Alik to the vice The president’s dogged attention to presidency rendered the two at-large Chuuk state affairs, regardless of congressional seats for Chuuk and its constitutionality, paid him a fine Kosrae vacant. In the special elec- dividend in the general election. tion to fill the vacancies, the voters in In his inaugural speech, President Chuuk elected Governor Wesley Sim- Mori reviewed his accomplishments in ina to replace Manny Mori, and the his first term and laid out his plan and Kosraean voters chose Yosiwo George, vision for his second. Notably missing ambassador to the United States, to fill from the president’s speech was his Vice President Alik’s former seat. Prior administration’s plan of action regard- to winning the Chuuk at-large seat, ing Micronesian immigration prob- Governor Simina’s political experience lems, which the US Senate Committee had been confined to state politics. on Energy and Natural Resources Ambassador George has had extensive 142 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) experience in FSM and Kosrae politics Johnson, Giff. 2011. U.S. Lawmakers Seek and has served the country in vari- Limit on Micronesian Immigrants. Mari- ous capacities as a department head, anas Variety, 23 May. Archived online at a diplomat, and head of the national http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2011/ health insurance program. For Kosrae may/05%2D23%2D01.htm state, George has served as governor pir, Pacific Islands Report. Online Pacific and chief justice and has now joined news service. the exclusive political club of four at-large national senators who are eligible to become FSM president or Guam vice president. During the March 2011 congres- Dominating the news during the year sional election, voters defeated two under review were the same three proposed amendments to the national issues that captured the most attention constitution. One would have allowed in the previous year: the upcoming US FSM citizens to acquire another military buildup, the 2010 gubernato- citizenship. This amendment garnered rial election, and ongoing fiscal dif- more than 60 percent of the votes ficulties for the Government of Guam in each of the states, but it failed to (GovGuam). receive the constitutionally required As 2011 began, the proposed 75 percent. The other amendment transfer of 8,600 US Marines and proposed to extend the term of the ten their dependents from Okinawa to two-year members of the legislature Guam was still proceeding. However, to four years. In Pohnpei state, the in response to public opposition to the amendment received only 46 percent buildup plans, the pace of the buildup of the votes, and in all four states it was slowed. Initially, the buildup was received a lower percentage than that expected to bring about 79,000 people garnered by the proposed dual citizen- to Guam by 2014, with about half ship amendment. as imported labor for military con- john r haglelgam struction projects and other prepara- tory activities. As noted last year, the US Department of Defense (dod) issued a draft environmental impact References statement in late 2009 outlining the fsmis, FSM Information Services. Govern- different plans for how the buildup ment of the Federated State of Micronesia would transform the island. The docu- News and Public Statements, Palikir, Pohn- ment, over 11,000 pages long (Saipan pei. http://www.fsmgov.org/press.html Tribune, 8 Jan 2010), received over 10,000 submissions from the pub- Jaynes, Bill. 2011. Faichuk Renews Its lic, elected leaders, and government Intent to Stand Alone as a Sovereign Country. Kaselehlie Press [biweekly agencies during the public comment newspaper, Pohnpei], 30 August. period (dod 2010). The new plan in http://bild-art.de/kpress/index.php?option the final impact statement purport- =com_content&task=view&id=1392 edly would only shift marines to &Itemid=2 [accessed 8 Sept 2011] Guam after the island’s infrastructure political reviews • micronesia 143 is ready to handle the sizeable influx in federal court to block the live fir- in population. Under the suggested ing range. According to the suit, the timeline, about 41,000 new residents Department of Defense violated the would come to Guam in 2016. This National Environmental Policy Act, would be half the number initially the National Historic Preservation proposed and would occur two years Act, and the Coastal Zone Manage- later than originally projected. But ment Act when it picked Pågat as the even federal officials expressed doubts firing-range site (MV, 16 Feb 2011). that the buildup would move that The court case continued through the quickly. Still unresolved were two first half of 2011. In the briefs, DOD controversial military construction attorneys stated that no final deci- projects: the planned live firing range sion had been made on Pågat and no near the ancient Indigenous Chamorro appropriation had been provided in village site of Pågat and the dredging the current fiscal year’s budget, or the of Apra Harbor to build an aircraft next, to fund the firing range (pnc, 1 carrier harbor (PDN, 29 June 2010, 1 July 2011). In March, however, the Jan 2011). administration of Guam Governor With respect to the live firing range Eddie Baza Calvo signed a “program- plan, community opposition centered matic agreement” with the Depart- on concerns about increased traffic, ment of Defense that gave approval loss of land associated with recre- for the controversial US military ational activities, and denial of access plan to build Marine Corps training to a sacred Indigenous Chamorro site ranges in that area. Governor Calvo existing on GovGuam-owned land explained that GovGuam dropped its (Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans opposition to live firing ranges after 2010). The site has been listed on both the US Navy guaranteed unimpeded the Guam Register of Historic Places public access to several sites, including and the US National Register of His- the ancient Chamorro Pågat Village toric Places since 1974 (Guam Pres- site. In response, representatives for ervation Trust 2011). The proposed We Are Guahan said that their group dredging of Apra Harbor drew fire still opposes the training ranges and not only from island residents but also any military construction in Pågat. from the US Environmental Protection They further stated that the group Agency, which cited the “unaccept- would continue their lawsuit, claiming able” impact of dredging on seventy- that “the DOD broke the law because it one acres of coral reef (Harden 2010). did not consider alternate sites for the Even with these open questions, ranges” (Stars and Stripes, 9 March the Department of Defense issued a 2011). The case is scheduled to be Record of Decision that formalized the heard in court by September (MV, 18 plan to relocate the marines to Guam Feb 2011). (PDN, 1 Jan 2011). In the wake of mounting federal In November, the Guam Preserva- deficits and natural disasters in Japan, tion Trust, the National Trust for new questions arose regarding when, Historic Preservation, and the We or even if, the buildup would occur. Are Guahan activist group filed suit In May, Japanese Minister of Defense 144 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

Toshimi Kitazawa suggested that the General Accounting Office and Japan could agree to delay the 2014 the Senate Armed Services Commit- date for the relocation of the marines tee. By the end of June, the Senate from Okinawa (afp 2011). Japan also Appropriations Committee had cut put a hold on the $3 billion in funding $155 million in buildup-related proj- to relocate the marines to Guam. The ects from the Pentagon budget (PDN, US Navy said that the hold on funding 1 July 2011). But even with these has suspended buildup-related projects developments, Assistant Secretary of such as the new headquarters for the the Navy (Energy, Installations and navy base (ann 2011). Environment) Jackalyne Pfannenstiel The US House of Representatives stated that she was “confident” the approved the Pentagon’s funding buildup would happen. This view was request for buildup-related proj- echoed by spokesmen for Governor ects in June. In the Senate, however, Calvo and by Guam Senator Judith the relocation of the marines came Guthertz, chair of the Guam Legis- under mounting criticism. A General lature’s Military Buildup Committee Accounting Office report estimated (MV, 17 June 2011). Also in June, US that the move could cost as much as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and $23.9 billion over the next decade Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs (Stars and Stripes, 28 June 2011). In Takeaki Matsumoto reaffirmed their the Senate Armed Services Committee, 2006 agreement to realign forces in Senator Jim Webb proposed altering Okinawa, which would include relo- relocation plans—in effect, reducing cating the marine contingent to Guam the number of forces to be relocated (PDN, 24 June 2011). In spite of the out of Okinawa. He was supported disagreement between the US adminis- in his efforts by the committee chair, tration and the Senate, some buildup- Senator Carl Levin, and Republican related projects, including upgrades to ranking member Senator John McCain air force facilities, continued in 2011 (pnc, 15 June 2011). Senators on the (Guam Buildup News, 30 June 2011). committee further called for a freeze Also, the Apra Harbor dredging proj- on buildup projects until the Depart- ect was still planned, although on hold ment of Defense issues a full master pending the completion of a marine plan (pnc, 15 June 2011). Another habitat study (Guam Buildup News, shadow was cast on buildup plans 22 April 2011). in late June when the dod Inspector On Guam itself, a pro-military General issued a report stating that the buildup organization called Para Hita department “did not provide reliable Todu was launched in 2011. Its stated Guam realignment costs for Congress” goal was to collect 15,000 signatures and that, as a result, “Congress cannot expressing support for the buildup, ensure that Guam realignment costs purportedly to show Washington lead- are properly allocated” and “Con- ers that a silent majority on Guam was gress will not have reliable historical in favor of the military buildup (pnc, cost data for planning future military 8 July 2011). The majority leader, realignments” (pnc, 27 June 2011). Senator Rory J Respicio, pointed out This report echoed earlier reports by that although Guam residents may be political reviews • micronesia 145 supportive of the buildup, they are not forced marches” (Stars and Stripes, supportive of it “at any cost.” Para 23 Dec 2010). Hita Todu leaders responded that they In the meantime, the political also did not support the buildup at landscape on Guam changed as the any cost (Respicio 2011). Respicio and administration of Governor Felix other legislative leaders have expressed Camacho served out its remaining support for the buildup but have months and island residents went to insisted that the federal government the polls to pick new leaders. The address the buildup’s infrastructural, 2010 election was in full swing as the environmental, and social impacts. team of former Governor Carl T C They have also sought action on Gutierrez and Senator Frank Aguon long-standing federal territorial issues Jr secured the Democratic nomination such as the island’s unresolved politi- without opposition. The Republican cal status, unjust land takings, and team of Senators Eddie Baza Calvo World War II war reparations (Guam and Ray Tenorio Jr defeated the team Legislature Resolution 275). In June, of Lieutenant Governor Mike Cruz Senator Respicio, Speaker Won Pat, and Senator James Espaldon to win and Senator Chris Duenas secured their party’s primary election (kuam, the endorsement of the Association of 5 Sept 2010). The subsequent gen- Pacific Island Legislatures for Guam’s eral election campaign proved to be position (apil 2011). one of the hardest fought and most War reparations in particular were controversial elections in the island’s a source of extreme disappointment in history, eventually becoming a mat- 2010, underscoring Guam residents’ ter for the courts. Aside from debates frustration about continuing federal on the military buildup, education, inaction on territorial issues. Hopes and other concerns, two unexpected were raised that this matter would issues came to the forefront. One was be addressed when the US House health insurance. In September, it was of Representatives approved fund- revealed that the rates for GovGuam ing that year, but it was blocked by health insurance were going up by as Senate Republicans at the last min- much as 300 percent in some cases. ute. This was yet another blow in a The sole provider of health insur- three-decade-long struggle by Cham- ance for government employees and orros seeking compensation for their retirees was Calvo Selectcare, which is suffering during World War II. Guam owned by Eddie Baza Calvo’s family. Legislature Minority Leader Frank The Gutierrez/Aguon team sharply Blas Jr stated that “a lot of people criticized the increases. They further here are disappointed, frustrated, called on Calvo Selectcare to hold off upset.” He said, “The Senate prob- on the rate hikes and for the contract ably doesn’t understand. Here is an with Calvo Selectcare to be renegoti- island thousands of miles away, out of ated (MV, 22 Sept 2010). The contract sight out of mind.” Fewer than 1,000 came under further criticism when it Chamorro survivors of World War II was revealed that Calvo Selectcare had are still alive and seeking compensa- been operating as the sole provider for tion for “slave labor, internment and government health insurance with- 146 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) out a contract for two years (MV, 30 Results for the other 2010 races Sept 2010). The Calvo/Tenorio team for the legislature and the attorney viewed the Gutierrez/Aguon position general were uncontroversial. In the as a political attack and responded nonpartisan race for attorney gen- with its own attacks about the health eral, voters picked former US Attor- insurance contract against Senator ney Lenny Rapadas. The Democrats Frank Aguon Jr, who was chairman retained their 9–6 majority in the of the legislature’s health committee legislature, with Republican Telo (pnc, 7 June 2010). The controversy Taitague being the only incumbent increased in intensity as Gutierrez not reelected. Replacing Taitague and promised to renegotiate the contract if filling four vacancies were Democrat elected and Calvo said he would not Dennis Rodriguez Jr and Republicans do so because it would compromise Aline Yamashita, Chris Duenas, Mana health insurance coverage for employ- Silva-Taijeron, and Sam Mabine (PDN, ees and retirees (MV, 28 Oct 2010). 1 Jan 2011). Guam’s fifteen senators Another controversy arose late in the are elected “at-large,” meaning the campaign when it was revealed that top fifteen vote getters make up the Ray Tenorio Jr was born as Ray Wad- legislature. dey Jr and did not legally change his As the island prepared for the name until years after he had identi- change of administration, concerns fied himself in a number of legal docu- about GovGuam’s fiscal situation ments as Ray Tenorio Jr. A complaint came to the forefront. In December, alleging that Tenorio had committed the Calvo/Tenorio transition team fraud was filed in November with the estimated that when it took office the legislature’s ethics committee, which government would have a shortfall of dismissed the complaint a month later nearly $100 million (kuam, 12 Dec (MV, 29 Dec 2011). 2010). Soon after the inauguration, After recounts of the 41,000 votes the Calvo administration sought a cast, amid reports of missing ballots $36.6 million supplemental appropria- and possible voter fraud, the Election tion to meet the budget shortfall for Commission certified the Calvo/Teno- the fiscal year and threatened layoffs rio team as the winner by 487 votes if it was not approved by June (MV, (PDN, 1 Jan 2011). The certification 3 June 2011). At their June session, itself quickly became a matter of con- the legislature cut the administration troversy when it was revealed that half request and approved a $28 million the Election Commission had not been supplemental appropriation to address properly appointed—which by law shortfalls. In the process, senators would normally render their actions criticized Governor Calvo for raiding null and void. The Guam Supreme the retirement fund in order to fund Court set aside this challenge, but the budget shortfall resulting from the other suits filed by the Gutierrez/ new health insurance contract. Further Aguon team, seeking to overturn the battles over government finances are gubernatorial election, continued in expected when the legislature takes up both US and Guam courts (MV, 3 Jan the fiscal year 2012 budget in August 2011). (MV, 6 June 2011). political reviews • micronesia 147

Guam drew attention from the Chamoru Coalition wrote to Francisco international media in the past year. Carrion-Mena of Ecuador, chair of the Spotlighting the island as a tourist UN Special Committee of the 24 on destination, bbc.com ran a story titled Decolonization, regarding McNinch’s “Guam: The Best Place You Never role at the seminar. They stated that Considered Going To,” highlighting McNinch did not represent the people the island’s warm climate and island of Guam and their quest for political life as attractions (Strasser 2011). In self-determination and challenged his October, the cable news show Dan standing as an expert on self-determi- Rather Reports focused on the impact nation and decolonization issues (MV, of the planned military buildup on 14 June 2011). Guam and Chamorro concerns regard- An essential component of the ing further loss of land to the military quest for self-determination has been (MV, 6 Oct 2010). the ongoing struggle for outside There was renewed interest in recognition of the Chamorro identity holding the long-delayed Chamorro and culture. One sign of the level of self-determination vote after Governor interest in and sensitivity about the Calvo stated in March that he wanted issue was the introduction of Bill 1 to hold the vote in 2012 (Caguran- in the current session of the Guam gan 2011). However, by June, Calvo Legislature to set new procedures for administration officials admitted the treatment of disinterred human that the vote would not be held until remains, in particular those of ancient 2013 at the earliest (kuam, 20 June Chamorros. The legislation includes 2011). On a positive note, prominent the finding that the current process for indigenous rights advocate Dr Lisa dealing with such issues has resulted Natividad was appointed to the Guam in situations where disinterred remains Commission on Decolonization. Addi- are being handled “in a manner deeply tionally, the Obama administration disrespectful to the island’s indigenous made available funding for an educa- Chamoru people” (Guam Legisla- tional campaign for the decolonization ture Bill 1-31). On the other hand, vote (pnc, 28 April 2011). reflecting interest in harnessing the Also in June 2011, a controversy potential of archaeological study, the erupted regarding University of Guam website Guampedia unveiled its new Professor Ron McNinch, who had Archaeology of the Marianas section participated in a United Nations– with an initial twenty-eight entries sponsored seminar in St Vincent (MV, 11 March 2011). These entries and the Grenadines on decoloniza- expand access to knowledge gathered tion, where he presented a paper about ancient Chamorro lifeways dealing with self-determination for encased within technical reports of Guam. Island leaders such as Sena- limited distribution. Near Guam’s tor Ben Pangelinan accused McNinch major hotels and tourist facilities in of attempting to derail the political Tumon, in 2011, a local developer status issue. Pangelinan as well as started building the Lina'la' Chamorro Legislative Speaker Judith Won Pat Cultural Park on twenty-five acres of and Ed Benavente of the Colonized beachfront property. Described as an 148 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

“eco-adventure park,” the facility will passionate about decolonization and contain a replica of an ancient Cham- Chamorro self-determination (pnc, 20 orro village (kuam, 27 May 2011). June 2011). Signaling the continued vibrancy 2010 was also the year of the of Chamorro culture, language, and Micronesian Games, which were held traditional skills, the Chamorro in Palau. Guam placed third in the cultural organization Pa'a Taotao country medal count with twenty Tano' (Way of Life of the People of gold, twenty-five silver, and twenty- the Land) celebrated its tenth anni- one bronze medals. Among the versary. The organization spearheads competitive events were island sports a number of cultural projects and such as canoeing, in which Guam won serves as the umbrella organization for silver in the women’s team division, indigenous dance troops throughout and spearfishing, in which the island the Mariana Islands (kuam, 24 June won gold in men’s individual competi- 2011). Pa'a Taotao Tano' released the tion and bronze in team competition results of a language survey show- (Micronesian Games 2010). ing that four out of five Chamorros On the environmental front, the interact daily with a fluent speaker of practice of catching sharks for their the indigenous language (kuam, 21 fins and trading in these fins was Sept 2010). Also, Senator Mana Silva- banned in Guam under a new law Taijeron introduced legislation that enacted in 2011. The practice has would increase the number of years been viewed in recent years as a the Chamorro language is taught in major international environmental public schools. Currently, students are concern (pnc, 24 Feb 2011). Stu- required to take one year of Chamorro dents on Guam initiated an advocacy language courses in both middle and group called Shark Tsunami to secure high schools, with elementary students passage of the bill (Humane Society required to take six years. Under 2011). Also in 2011, the US Fish and Silva-Taijeron’s bill, students would be Wildlife Service and the National required to take Chamorro language Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- in every year of middle school and tion began soliciting public comment for an additional year in high school on plans for the Marianas Trench (kuam, 1 March 2011). Marine National Monument. This What has also drawn notice in protected area incorporates approxi- some quarters is Governor Calvo’s use mately 95,216 square miles within of the term “Guamanian” in his public three units in the Mariana Archi- statements (see the Calvo/Tenorio pelago. The national monument was campaign website for examples). To created by President George W Bush some, this has raised concerns about in 2009 and contains unique and the sublimation of the Chamorro pristine marine environments (pnc, identity in favor of a broader group- 12 April 2011). ing of “Guamanian.” In contrast was Among those politicians who Governor Calvo’s written testimony to passed away over the last year were the United Nations, presented by his former Inarajan Mayor Juan Cruz, sister Clare Calvo. The testimony was former Yigo Mayor Jesus Cruz, former political reviews • micronesia 149

Mongmong-Toto-Maite Mayor Jose apil, Association of Pacific Islands Legis- Santos, and former Assistant Com- latures. 2011. A Resolution Supporting the missioner of Tamuning Maria Leon Positions Established by the Guam Legisla- Guererro. In the arts, the year saw the ture Relative to the Realignment of United passing of Chamorro master weaver States Military Forces in the Pacific. apil Resolution 30-ga-7. 17 June. Archived at Thomas Torres and artist and sculp- http://www.apilpacific.com/ [accessed 14 tor Greg Flores. Other prominent July 2011] residents to pass on were Marian Johnston Taitano, who was active in Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. 2011. Guam Mulls civic affairs, and the Reverend Daniel Going Its Own Way. afp, 11 June. Cristobal, the first Chamorro Capu- http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ article/ALeqM5hyTc66f1Rv69TNCHz chin priest. All were recognized by _BMrusSe3Nw [accessed 10 July 2011] condolence resolutions by the Guam Legislature. Calvo/Tenorio campaign website. http://www.calvotenorio.com/main/index kelly g marsh and .php?key=guamanian_dream [accessed tyrone j taitano 22 August 2011] dod, US Department of Defense. 2010. Un dangkolo na si Yu'os Ma'åse Final Environmental Impact Statement for (thank you) to Julian Aguon and Guam and Commonwealth of the North- Shannon Murphy for providing input ern Mariana Islands Military Relocation and insight regarding events on Guam Released. News Release, Office of the during the period under review and Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public for reviewing an earlier version of this Affairs), 29 July. http://www.defense.gov/ review. We also wish to recognize the Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13760 Famoksaiyan Friends e-mail listing for [accessed 11 July 2011] their periodic dissemination of salient Guam Buildup News. Website. news articles from local and interna- http://guambuildupnews.com tional sources regarding Guam affairs. Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans. 2010. Comments on the Draft Envi- References ronmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for afp, Agence France-Press. 2011. Japan, Guam on Relocating Marines from US to Drop Deadline for Moving Okinawa, Visiting Aircraft Berthing, and Okinawa Base. 7 May. http://www Army Air Missile Defense Task Force. .google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ 17 February. Copy in authors’ files. ALeqM5hrRytkzJfhhx7p_dJqDD4GX Guam Legislature website. _35gw?docId=CNG http://www.guamlegislature.com/ .a740a5ae46d97d889302532f100f898e .491 [accessed 30 August 2011] Guam Preservation Trust. 2011. Pågat: Adahi Yan Protehi Sengsong ann, Australia Network News. 2011. Pågat/Preserve and Protect Pågat Japan Suspends Funding for Military Village. http://savepagatvillage.com/ Expansion in Guam.17 May. [last updated 23 June 2011; accessed http://australianetworknews.com/stories/ 12 July 2011] 201105/3219046.htm?desktop [accessed 10 July 2011] Harden, Blaine. 2010. On Guam, Planned 150 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

Marine Base Raises Anger, Infrastructure ing changes to its relationship with Concerns. Washington Post, 22 March. the United States, the Republic of the Humane Society of the United States. Marshall Islands (RMI) spent the year 2011. Losing the Taste for Shark Fins. under review facing its own mortality. Humane Society website, 11 March. The defining event of the period was http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/ the public discussion the country had shark_finning/timelines/shark_fins.html about its physical and political sus- [accessed 9 July 2011] tainability as a nation-state, and what kuam, kuam.com: Guam’s News Net- to do in the eventuality of its disap- work. http://www.kuam.com/ pearance. It was during this time that Micronesian Games 2010. the Marshall Islands had to consider http://www.sportingpulse.com/medal not only the real prospect of being an .cgi?mt=17&pID=2&bID=459&ac=B early victim of global climate change, [accessed 8 July 2011] but indeed its very existence within the community of nations; at the same MV, Marianas Variety, Guam Edition. Weekdays. Harmon, Guam. time, it also had to deal with internal http://mvguam.com/ strife and external relations that put its governing mechanisms to the test. PDN, Pacific Daily News. Hagåtña, Guam. In late August, for the first time http://www.guampdn.com/ since 1997, the Marshall Islands pnc, Pacific News Center, Sorenson made the editorial pages of the New Media Group. Hagåtña, Guam. York Times, as an unsigned editorial http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/ posed the question: “If a country sinks Respicio, Rory J. 2011. Respicio Responds beneath the sea, is it still a country?” to Para Hita Todu. Press release, Senator (NYT, 30 Aug 2010). The editorial Respicio’s office, 1 July. considered the potential ramifications Saipan Tribune. Daily. Garapan, Saipan. of the political and diplomatic status http://www.saipantribune.com/ of the Marshalls should its actual landmass become uninhabitable, a Stars and Stripes. Daily. Washington dc. http://www.stripes.com/ situation now considered imminent. In response, RMI Ambassador and Per- Strasser, Franz. 2011. Guam: The Best manent Representative of the Marshall Place You Never Considered Going To. Islands to the United Nations Phillip bbc Travel, 7 February. http://www.bbc Muller wrote a letter to the editor, .com/travel/feature/20110207-guam-the -best-place-you-never-considered-going-to/ seeking to pressure nations in atten- [accessed 9 July 2011] dance at the 2009 Copenhagen climate change meeting to make good on their promise of us$30 billion in aid (NYT, 5 Sept 2010). In November, Muller Marshall Islands again called on the Copenhagen signa- tories to produce us$20 million for a Threatened by impending sea-level three-mile-long seawall on the leeward rise, internal fraud schemes that side of Majuro (Johnson 2010). While reached into the highest levels of both the funding and the seawall have government, and potentially damag- yet to appear, the issue of environmen- political reviews • micronesia 151 tal vulnerability offered the Marshalls especially the RMI government, will the chance to become a focal point in actually take. the climate change debate. In the midst of the conversation This issue was revisited in about the impending environmental December at the international climate disaster facing the country, Majuro change meeting in Cancun, Mexico, and several outer atolls and islands during which the legal considerations experienced some of the highest tides of citizenship, sovereignty, diplomatic in recent memory. While no storms standing, and fishing and deep-sea attended the rising tides on 19 Febru- mineral rights were introduced by ary 2011, sea levels were six inches Michael B Gerrard, the director of higher than predicted on Majuro, the Center for Climate Change Law resulting in the flooding of homes at Columbia University (Hanley and businesses on various parts of the 2010); the meeting made headlines atoll; a month earlier, on the island of around the world, and the potential Kili, seawater was knee-deep in some impact on the Marshalls was the top areas that were normally above sea story on the Yahoo.com website. In level. While extreme tides like these February 2011, the American Associa- are part of a normal cycle, affected tion for the Advancement of Science in this case by La Niña, they none- issued a report saying that the popula- theless serve as a stark reminder of tion of the Marshall Islands were in the realities of global climate change danger of becoming “environmental and its resultant sea-level rise. As Dr refugees” and questioning the politi- Murray Ford, a University of Hawai‘i cal and social effects of wholesale Sea Grant climate scientist based in migration on the United States, the Majuro, explained, such tidal events presumptive destination of RMI “will continue to increase in both migrants (Huffington Post 2011). frequency and magnitude” (MIJ, 18 Bringing together legal scholars, cli- Feb 2011). mate change experts, and government A much different yet equally oner- representatives, the Marshall Islands ous threat to the political viability of and Columbia’s Center for Climate the Marshall Islands came in the form Change Law sponsored a conference of a fraud ring composed of twelve in New York for three days at the individuals, including employees of end of May 2011, during which RMI the ministries of finance and health, President Jurelang Zedkaia called on and attracted the unwanted attention the United Nations to take action as a of the US Department of the Interior. matter of international security. Not- Beginning in early December 2010, ing that the international community the attorney general’s office charged had yet to approach climate change Majuro resident Candi Leon with in a meaningful way, Zedkaia stated, defrauding the RMI government “There has been enough talk. It is of $14,820 for goods and services time for action” (MIJ, 3 June 2011). that were never delivered (MIJ, 3 After a year of sobering discussions, Dec 2010). Three weeks later, Leon however, it remains to be seen what named six coconspirators—includ- steps the international community, and ing three workers in the Ministry of 152 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

Finance and three in the Ministry of meeting of the Joint Economic Man- Health—and the amount of alleged agement and Fiscal Accountability theft rose to $80,350 (MIJ, 24 Dec Committee (jemfac), but US officials 2010). In January, the first Majuro did not want to wait and instead met businessman was charged, and by the with RMI officials in Honolulu on 23 end of the month both a local auto- February. At the same time, Kwajalein motive repair shop and a Ministry Senator Tony DeBrum pushed for the of Finance Procurement and Supply Marshall Islands to invite the fbi to official, among others in the govern- investigate the fraud cases and won- ment, were charged with a staggering dered aloud at a session of the Niti- twenty-eight counts—including grand jela (RMI Parliament) why they had larceny, cheating, forgery, conspiracy, not yet been involved. In response, and possession or removal of govern- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ebon ment property—involving $396,909 Senator John Silk stated that includ- (MIJ, 28 Jan 2011). In the end, a dozen ing the fbi in the investigation “will people were charged with defraud- undermine our sovereignty” (MIJ, 18 ing the RMI government of a total of Feb 2011). On 18 February, DeBrum, $538,979. By March, an additional set along with Kwajalein Senator and Iroij of charges were filed alleging the theft Michael Kabua, Wotho Senator David of $54,051 from the RMI National Kabua, and Lae Senator Rellong Training Council, the College of the Lemari pushed ahead with Resolu- Marshall Islands, and Waan Aelõñ tion 87, despite Minister Silk’s objec- in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall tions, calling for the Marshall Islands Islands) (MIJ, 18 March 2011). What to invite US federal investigators to made the situation even more precari- assist with the fraud investigation ous, however, was the fact that the (MIJ, 25 Feb 2011). At the meeting amount stolen included not only RMI in Honolulu, RMI officials, includ- monies but US funds as well. ing Ministers Silk, Ading, and Wase, On 31 January 2011, US Direc- agreed to include in the investigation tor of Insular Affairs Nikolao Pula US auditors, who arrived in June (MIJ, wrote to RMI Minister of Finance and 4 March 2011). At the time of this Enewetak Senator Jack Ading that the writing, the investigations and pros- United States wanted detailed records ecutions were still ongoing, although of the investigation into the fraud the charges against one of the local cases, reminding the minister that fed- businessmen, David Chin Tung Lin, eral funding could be withheld if the were dismissed on 21 June by the high RMI government did not comply. In a court because the RMI government letter to Pula on 11 February, Majuro failed to demonstrate that Lin had Senator Brenson Wase, the minister of knowledge of any criminal activity or justice and acting minister of finance, conspiracy to defraud the government was quoted as responding, “We have (MIJ, 24 June 2011). it under control” (MIJ, 18 Feb 2011). Amid the hand-wringing over the Wase also suggested that the US and possible withdrawal or loss of US RMI governments discuss the issue federal funding due to the massive in San Francisco at the 21 March fraud cases rocking the government, political reviews • micronesia 153 the Ministry of Education actually submitted to the high court letters did have to hand money back to documenting that he had paid back the United States, in the amount of the money for the furniture and the $253,000. By failing to meet a 31 air tickets in January 2009 and March December spending deadline for fiscal 2011, respectively; additionally, year 2009 Supplemental Education the letters included correspondence Grant (seg) funds, the ministry lost from Minister of Finance Jack Ading access to the unspent funds, causing warning Kedi in 2008 that his actions a bit of public embarrassment. Com- were “unethical and illegal,” prompt- menting on the ministry’s inability to ing Kedi first to defend his actions spend all of its seg money, a former and then ultimately to reimburse the president of the Majuro Chamber of government. On 24 June, the high Commerce was quoted as saying that court announced that it had suf- he was concerned future seg funding ficient evidence to proceed with the would be decreased as a result (MIJ, 18 trial against Kedi, but, in a deal with Feb 2011). prosecutors, Kedi changed his plea Even with all the concern over from “not guilty” to “no contest” on embezzlement and loss of US fund- one count of petit larceny and two ing, few were prepared when a sitting misdemeanor counts of misconduct minister and member of the RMI cabi- in public office (MIJ, 15 July 2011). In net, Minister of Transportation and return, the other seven charges were Communications and Senator from dropped and he was fined $1,000 and Rongelap Kenneth Kedi, was charged given a thirty-day suspended sentence, with theft and misconduct on 1 June thereby avoiding jail time and skirt- 2011. This was the first time that ing the issue of what happens to a an active minister had been charged ministerial post when the minister is with criminal activity. Kedi faced in prison. While there has been no ten criminal counts stemming from public support for Kedi from President alleged fraud involving reimbursement Zedkaia or the cabinet, there have for office furniture in the amount of been no moves to replace him either, $1,197 and Air Marshall Islands (ami) and it seems that his political fate will plane tickets totaling $1,037. In the rest with the voters of Rongelap in the first case, Kedi allegedly charged the November 2011 election. RMI government for office furniture Perhaps the one diplomatic bright that was originally purchased for him spot in the period under review came by the Rongelap Atoll Local Govern- on 10–11 May 2011, when the four ment (RALGov); in the second, Kedi Kwajalein primary landowners, led was alleged to have cashed refund by former President and Iroijlaplap checks from Air Marshall Islands that Imata Kabua, signed the Land Use were made out to RALGov for trips Agreement (lua) with the RMI gov- not taken by Rongelap’s mayor and ernment. Stalled since 2003 due to another passenger (MIJ, 3 June 2011). political wrangling and the refusal of Kedi initially pled not guilty to all Kabua to recognize the legitimacy of ten counts, including grand larceny the amended compact terms (which and misconduct in public office, and include a fifty-year extension of the 154 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

Kwajalein lease and increased rental funds were busy using cash to buy up payments to landowners), the lua all the available cars for sale on Ebeye seemed destined to remain a stick- and Majuro (MIJ, 27 May 2011). At ing point in internal RMI relations. the same time, the Journal quoted a While the amended compact includes non-lua recipient resident of Ebeye as the renewal of the US lease of Kwa- saying that he held no hope for change jalein island and other parts of the due to the lua, and in fact expected atoll (through the Military Use and life to get harder on the island as a Operating Rights Agreement signed result: “We’re not celebrating yet between the RMI and US govern- because we don’t know what the ments) through 2066, with an addi- terms are—we’re waiting to exhale” tional twenty-year extension after (MIJ, 3 June 2011). With the political that, the United States reserved the impasse of the LUA behind them, it is right to defer the increase in rental now up to officials from the Kwajalein payments to Kwajalein landowners, local government and the RMI and US and ultimately to return the funds per- national governments to bring about manently to the US Treasury, if no lua real changes in the lives of the people was signed within the first five years of Ebeye. of the amended compact. In 2008, at The celebrations over the signing the eleventh hour, the Bush adminis- of the lua were quieted the very next tration allowed the RMI government day when, on 12 May 2011, nine an indefinite extension on the signing members of the US Congress, includ- of the lua but continued to hold back ing the representative from Guam, all the increase in rental payments, which the senators and representatives from had grown by more than $32 million Hawai‘i, both senators from Arkan- by 2011. After a series of rapid nego- sas, and Senators Lisa Murkowski tiations following eight years of stale- of Alaska and Jeff Bingaman of New mate, however, Kabua and Iroijlaplap Mexico, sent a letter to US Secretary Anjua Loeak, along with President of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary Zedkaia, signed the lua in Kwajalein of the Interior Ken Salazar asking for on 10 May 2011, while the remain- an expedited review of the compact ing two landowners, Leroij Lukwor provisions that apply to citizens of Litokwa and Iroij Nelu Watak, signed the Freely Associated States (fas) in the agreement in Majuro on 11 May terms of their ability to travel, work, (MIJ, 13 May 2011). The agreement and live in the United States, as well allows the implementation of the as to receive social services benefits Kwajalein Impact and Ebeye Special (MIJ, 20 May 2011). Concerned Needs funds, which had been held up largely with the financial impact of by the lack of a lua, in the amount treating fas citizens differently from of $5 million annually, although other immigrants to the United States, what changes on Ebeye will actu- the letter focused on the health and ally materialize remain to be seen. In educational levels of fas migrants in the meantime, the Marshall Islands states like Hawai‘i and Arkansas and Journal reported that beneficiaries of on the island of Guam. The letter’s the almost immediate release of lua language closely resembled that used political reviews • micronesia 155 by Martha Campbell, US ambassador Jacklick praised her support for the to the Marshall Islands, who, after the breaking away of the Republic of signing of the lua, said, “I hope the the Marshall Islands from the rest of signing of the lua allows the Govern- Micronesia under the Trust Territory ment of the Marshall Islands more in the 1970s (MIJ, 26 Nov 2010). On time to focus on the biggest issues it March 17, Banny DeBrum, the long- faces—how to raise the level of educa- time RMI ambassador to the United tion and health of the Marshallese States, passed away while undergoing people and how to create an economy treatment in Honolulu. From 1995 that will be stable after direct US fund- until his death (except for a brief ing ends in 2023” (MIJ, 13 May 2011). interim in 2008–2009), DeBrum was Indeed, the situation for fas citizens, the top RMI diplomat in Washington especially those from the Marshalls, dc, making him the longest-serving looks particularly bleak considering ambassador from the Pacific (MIJ, 25 the looming end of compact funding March 2011). On March 29, Carl in a little over a decade coupled with Heine passed away in Majuro; he was the now-real possibility of a change in the author of the only book written immigration privileges to the United to date by a Marshallese, Micronesia States. Indeed, the proposed changes at the Crossroads (1974), and was an in the implementation of the compact advocate for the inclusion of the Mar- pose more immediate threats to the shalls in greater Micronesia as well as, Marshalls than the continuing changes occasionally, part of the opposition to in global climate and sea levels. As Amata Kabua in the 1970s and ’80s. Benedict Anderson wrote, “Communi- The period ended on as precarious ties are to be distinguished not by their a note as it began, with the Marshall falsity/genuineness, but by the style in Islands Journal reporting an uptick in which they are imagined” (1983, 6); both murders and suicides. The most one wonders how the Republic of the shocking crime to hit Majuro in recent Marshall Islands will imagine itself memory occurred on 14 August 2010 in the near future should the United when Morton Makroro, an instruc- States effect the restrictions in travel tor at the College of the Marshall outlined in the letter to Secretaries Islands (cmi), stabbed his wife Emson Clinton and Salazar. to death during an argument; Emson The period under review also saw had also been a cmi instructor (MIJ, the passing of three public figures. On 20 Aug 2010). The crime spurred 19 November, Leroij Atama Zedkaia, the nongovernmental organization mother of President Zedkaia, passed Women United Together Marshall away at age seventy-nine. With her Islands to push for Bill 93, intended passing, her eldest son, the presi- to provide greater prevention of and dent, assumed the title of Iroijlaplap protection from domestic violence; over Atama’s landholdings. A week unexpectedly, the bill did not make of national mourning was declared, it to a vote in the Nitijela. Makroro and she was given a state funeral at continues to await sentencing. The the Nitijela. At the funeral, Nitijela Marshall Islands Journal also noted Speaker and Jaluit Senator Alvin a wave of suicides in 2011, with five 156 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) in the month of May alone, putting .huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/06/ Marshallese society on track to reach marshall-islands-climate-_n_792799.html over fifty suicides for the year—twice Heine, Carl. 1974. Micronesia at the the total for its worst year on record, Crossroads: A Reappraisal of the Microne- 2003, in which there were twenty-six sian Political Dilemma. Honolulu: Univer- (MIJ, 3 June 2011). While the Ministry sity Press of Hawaii. of Health and various nongovernmen- Huffington Post. 2011. 50 Million tal organizations have been mobilized Environmental Refugees by 2020, to stem the surge in suicides, it is not Experts Predict. 22 February. http://www clear yet what the underlying causes .huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/ are; regardless, the rash of deaths environmental-refugees-50_n_826488.html in both Majuro and Ebeye over the Johnson, Giff. 2010. Marshalls Seek Funds period under review has raised public for Majuro Seawall. Marianas Variety, calls of alarm. 1 November. http://archives.pireport.org/ In many respects the period under archive/2010/november/11-01-04.htm review has been one of the Marshall MIJ, Marshall Islands Journal. Majuro. Islands’ most trying, testing its abil- Weekly. ity to survive and persist as a nation physically, politically, and socially. NYT, New York Times. Daily. It points to even more difficult times ahead should these issues not be met with the urgency they require. The Commonwealth of the country has been relatively quiet in the Northern Mariana Islands run-up to the November 2011 election compared with the heated political The fiscal condition of the government rhetoric of past contests, but this elec- of the Commonwealth of the North- tion may prove to be the most impor- ern Mariana Islands (CNMI) has been tant in the country’s history, consider- rapidly declining since the garment ing what is at stake for its immediate factories on Saipan began shutting and long-term future. We will see down in 2005 and the last one closed what changes, if any, this exercise in its doors in 2009. In the exhilarating democracy will bring to the people of days of the late 1990s, with thirty-five the Marshall Islands. garment factories and 700,000 tourists david w kupferman a year, annual government revenues reached $250 million. It is anticipated that revenue this fiscal year (Oct References 2011–Sept 2012) will be down to somewhere between $92 million and Anderson, Benedict. 1983. Imagined Com- $102 million. munities: Reflections on the Origin and As could be expected, adjusting to Spread of Nationalism. London: Verso. such a reduced revenue stream is a Hanley, Charles J. 2010. Marshall Islands’ very difficult thing to do after hav- Climate Change Dilemma: If It Vanishes ing lived so comfortably. As a result, Beneath Rising Sea Levels, Is It Still a a great deal of time and rhetoric has Nation? 6 December. http://www been devoted to the issue of whether political reviews • micronesia 157 casinos should be allowed on Saipan. discontinued. The casino hotel in When the government was unable Tinian owes $30 million in back taxes to settle debates over the fiscal year to the commonwealth government 2011 budget (Oct 2010–Sept 2011) and, unless there are some immediate by the 30 September 2010 deadline, it changes in airline services, the Rota was completely shut down in compli- resort casino will probably not last ance with a constitutional amendment another six months. recently approved by the voters that Largely because of the increased “states that the government may not costs of doing business, several airlines draw funds from the general fund, have canceled flights from Japan and with the exception of certain essential have reduced flights to and from other services, if no appropriations act is in destinations. On the other hand, there effect” by the beginning of the fiscal are two new ventures that have yet year (Saipan Tribune, 1 Oct 2010). to prove themselves viable. Fly Guam Since the legislature did not pass the has been operating charter flights to budget before 1 October, all gov- and from Hong Kong via Saipan three ernment offices except for essential times a week. They plan to inaugurate services were closed while the House flights to Australia and are exploring and the Senate worked out their dif- possible routes from central Russia. ferences. During that period, some At the present time they are only fly- members of the House of Representa- ing one 240-seat Boeing 737 but are tives threatened that if the Senate did expecting to acquire a second plane in not join them in approving casinos the near future. During April and May on Saipan as a revenue measure, 2011, Fly Guam was offering dis- the House would not consider any count rates of $450 for return flights bill emanating from the Senate. In between Saipan and Hong Kong, with response, the Senate refused to pass an additional 25 percent discount bills sent to them by the House of available for senior citizens. Representatives; in addition, because Every service on Rota and on Tin- the governor was siding with members ian is in crisis, creating an economic of the House, the Senate refused to disaster for the two islands. Existing hold advice and consent hearings for hotels are struggling to survive, with gubernatorial appointees. Public pres- many people leaving the islands per- sure was the only thing that got mem- manently. At the same time, a brand- bers of the legislature to pass a budget new luxury resort is being constructed two weeks into fiscal year 2011, which by Triple J in Chalan Kanoa on the allowed the government to get back beach in southwest Saipan, using pre- into full operation. The Senate stood stressed reinforced concrete slabs to its ground on being anti-casino, which create the walls. should come as no surprise since both Several other companies, includ- Tinian and Rota have casinos (strug- ing Korean investors, have expressed gling just to stay alive) that would be interest in reviving La Fiesta Mall in threatened by additional casinos on San Roque; according to government Saipan. Most direct flights from Japan estimates, it would cost upward of $5 to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have been million just to rehabilitate the struc- 158 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) ture. Other investors, including two north of Saipan. This plan includes casino developers, are trying to revive homesteading, infrastructure devel- their construction permits to build on opment, transportation, and other Tinian. exigencies. Plans are also underway Federal laws taking over immigra- to explore the possibilities of cashing tion and raising the minimum wage in on the pozzolan deposits on Pagan, have had major impact on the growth which may still have some commer- of just about everything in the com- cial value. (Pozzolan is a byproduct monwealth. The Department of of volcanic eruptions. It occurs fairly Homeland Security’s Customs and rarely; the only other known deposit is Border Protection agency has taken at Mount Vesuvius in Italy. Its primary over airport security and in all too use is as an additive to asphalt for many cases has wound up alienating greater strength. Thousands of tons many tourists and returning residents. of pozzolan are estimated to be sitting Congressional delegate Gregorio Kilili on Saipan but gradually depreciat- Sablan has filed a complaint regarding ing in value because of the erosion this matter with the secretary of the from rainfall. There has been no sign Department of Homeland Security in of commercial interest in the deposit Washington dc. over the past several years.) Ecotour- A program by the Department ism is also being explored. Further, of Public Works to install poles for it appears that the US military may power lines along the roadside, all the be interested in utilizing Pagan for way from the Last Command Post to military exercises. If this is the case, just before Banzai Cliff, is intended and the people agree to such use, the to supply power to the Veterans military will have to compensate the Cemetery and a new public cemetery people for the loss of other develop- that is under construction. A citizens ment opportunities. group calling themselves the Friends of Innovation in agriculture is now Marpi has succeeded in blocking the becoming fairly common. Entrepre- completion of the power pole project, neur Tony Pellegrino has opened a citing the degradation of the Marpi very successful shrimp farm on his area. The group is concerned about property in Saipan and is already the visual impact of the poles on the exporting shrimp to Japan, Guam, and tourist experience, the violation of other destinations. This effort is part historic preservation regulations, and of an overall plan to develop agri- the lack of a public hearing before the cultural exports as well as to replace installation began. The Department imported food items. Pellegrino of Public Works has been ordered to intends to expand the market by cease and desist installation until a opening a new airline called Cargo Air trial can be held in early 2012. Bridge. This airline would be a public The mayor of the Northern Islands corporation (with shares available to has scheduled a Northern Islands the citizens of the commonwealth) Development Summit in September that could fly agricultural goods from 2011 designed to create a master plan Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to Guam on for the resettlement of the islands a regular basis. Because the agricul- political reviews • micronesia 159 tural producers on these islands would the government’s current fiscal situ- have to guarantee quality and quan- ation is going to improve in the near tity, steps are being taken to set up a future. farmers’ cooperative. The Salvation Army on Saipan has After a wait of a year and a half, opened a soup kitchen, rummage sale the Western Association of Schools area, and “drop-in center” to assist and Colleges has moved the Northern the growing number of homeless and Marianas College up one step from unemployed people on the island. “show cause” to “probation” sta- Initially, the soup kitchen will be open tus (Marianas Variety, 1 July 2011). only on Saturdays; its operations are This means that while the college dependent on voluntary donations will have to work to improve certain from the public. Laundry and shower areas, it does not have to worry about facilities, however, are available in the imminent loss of accreditation. the drop-in center (Saipan Tribune, Lorraine Cabrera, the adult basic 4 May 2011). The homeless represent education director, has been interim a cross section of the community and, president of the college for a year and for one reason or another, many are a half. A new president, Dr Sharon not eligible for government services or Hart from North Dakota, has finally assistance from established charities been selected and was slated to arrive such as Karidat. in Saipan in early July 2011 (Marianas A recently released report from the Variety, 27 May 2011). This will con- Government Accountability Office tribute greatly to the college’s efforts indicates that the recent increases in to maintain and improve accredita- the minimum wage (from $4.50 to tion standards since the firing of Dr $5.05 per hour) in the commonwealth Carmen Fernandez and the college’s have resulted in higher unemployment subsequent year and a half without as smaller businesses are unable to pay a full-time head. Former President the higher salaries during the current Fernandez’s lawsuit against the college economic crisis (gao 2011). The and the Board of Regents in relation price of gasoline is $4.77 per gallon to her dismissal is still pending but on Saipan and more than five dollars may come up for court hearing in per gallon on Rota and Tinian. Utili- September. ties costs are increasing substantially, Austerity measures earlier applied and some people are finding it more to all CNMI government employees comfortable to move to the continen- will affect the college beginning in tal United States, where the cost of the fall semester, which commences in living is actually lower. August 2011. This means a 10 per- Another result of the economic cent pay cut for all faculty and staff crisis appears to be a very serious and adjustments in the class schedule increase in domestic violence and and student-teacher ratio. Technically, property crimes at all levels of society. these changes are only supposed to Contributing factors are addiction to apply until the end of the current drugs and to poker gambling, both fiscal year on 31 September 2011; on the upswing. The attorney gen- however, there is no indication that eral’s office recently reported that 50 160 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) percent of the cases it handles involve office ends. This offer, however, was domestic abuse (ann 2011). contingent on the lieutenant governor The privatization of the Com- following the governor’s example monwealth Health Center, which is and giving up the Covenant Party supposed to take place on 1 October in favor of rejoining the Republican 2011, is being organized by a special Party. His reasoning for this is that the committee appointed by the gover- Republicans control the US House of nor. The healthcare corporation will Representatives and he wants to be receive start-up funds in the amount of on the winning side. He also made it $5 million. It is expected that health clear that he wants all of his Covenant services will improve greatly with this Party mates to follow his lead and effort, although there is no guarantee. join the Republican organization. The The much-touted Guam military leaders of the Republican Party claim buildup, involving the transfer of that they have over 1,000 names of 8,000 US Marines, dependents, and people ready to transfer their alle- staff personnel from Okinawa to giance to the Republicans. Guam, may be severely delayed. A US House of Representatives group of three US senators visited delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Tinian and Okinawa and reported that Sablan is already preparing to run for the transfer program is totally ad hoc his third term in 2012. He ran a very and that it is impossible to tell exactly successful campaign last November how much money is going where and against three rivals and has become what the development plan is. In addi- the ranking minority member of the tion, the series of disasters in Japan House Subcommittee on Fisheries, in March 2011—the earthquake, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs. tsunami, and nuclear meltdown—has He continues to run as an indepen- made it much more difficult for Japan dent, aligning himself with the Demo- to undertake and share the cost of the cratic side of the House of Representa- relocation. Some contracts, in prepara- tives. tion for the transfer of troops, have The biggest surprise in this legisla- already been made on Guam, but tive session came with the announce- the anticipation of billions of dol- ment by long-term politician, legisla- lars worth of lucrative construction tor, and one-time lieutenant governor contracts may have to be completely Diego Benavente that he was intend- rethought. ing to resign his position of minority Governor Benigno Fitial has leader in the CNMI House of Repre- decided that it would be better for sentatives at the end of July. There is him to rejoin the national Republi- much speculation as to why he chose can Party rather than continue as the this particular time since his term does titular head of the Covenant Party. not expire until November 2012. His When he announced this switch to the only public statement related to this legislature and the public, he offered decision was that he wanted to be able to endorse Lieutenant Governor Eloy to spend more time with his family. Inos as his preferred replacement Several bills have been introduced after his current and final term in to allow casinos on the island of political reviews • micronesia 161

Saipan. Some of these bills have been ings have been made available so far. classified as commonwealth bills, The results from the NMC poll from requiring the approval of both houses, Rota indicated approval of reunifica- but most of them have been Saipan tion with Guam. Unfortunately, Tinian local delegation bills that require only could not be polled because of logisti- the approval of the Saipan delegation, cal complications. both senators and representatives. The Manta Ray Band of Saipan Another bill, introduced by Rep- Southern High School has done it resentative Stanley Torres, is pending again! After successful concerts at the final action. It would create a new Kennedy Center in Washington DC and Marianas Political Status Commission the Sydney Opera House in Australia, to explore the current relationship this highly talented group has been between the Marianas and the federal invited to play at the Summer Olym- government. This would include the pics in London in 2012. possibility of terminating the com- The long-awaited Saipan municipal monwealth relationship and opting dog control program is now under- instead for independence or free asso- way. It started with owners licensing ciation. A public hearing was held, their dogs with members of the Saipan and most of the comments in favor of Mayor’s staff. When the licensing the bill were complaints about federal process is completed, workers will interference in local affairs, real or begin collecting stray dogs from the imagined. streets and abandoned properties. A Yet another bill, introduced by dog pound is being prepared at Lower Representative Joseph Palacios, would Base. It has been estimated that there allow the people of the Marianas to could be as many as 2,000 feral dogs decide if they wanted to join with on Saipan; this has been a problem Guam under a new, undefined political since German times, when Governor status. A Northern Marianas College Georg Fritz issued a bounty for every Current Issues class was tasked with wild dog killed. Since feral dogs tend running an informal and unofficial to run in packs and have attacked public opinion poll during the month bicycle riders, joggers, and children, of May. The results showed that the municipal dog program will be Saipan as a whole was against unifica- a boon not only to the residents but tion but that the 18- to 25-year-old also to tourists and visitors, especially group was in favor of the idea because those who participate in popular races of the perceived higher standard of such as the Tagaman, the triathlon, living in Guam. The older people and others. rejected the idea because of the many Indigenous culture centers are being years Guam has dismissed the North- established on all three main islands ern Marianas’ appeals for reunifica- of the Marianas. With financial help tion and because of the fear that the from the Administration for Native Northern Marianas might become a Americans, these centers are designed small principality of the larger Guam. to preserve and promote indigenous A similar study is being undertaken by cultures, including traditional medi- the University of Guam, but no find- cine, and their practitioners. 162 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

Work is currently underway to am, Faloma Luhk (age ten) and her establish a management team for the younger sister Maleina (age nine) van- Marianas Trench Marine National ished without a trace from a school Monument. A team consisting of bus stop near the Santa Lourdes local supporters of the monument, the shrine. The grandparents with whom National Oceanic and Atmospheric they were living while their mother Administration, the military, and other worked in Guam and their father lived interested government agencies will in Pohnpei were not aware that there meet for the first time in July 2011 to was anything wrong until the girls did set up a plan for the management of not return home on the regular bus the monument. in the afternoon. School policy is that The Commonwealth Council for absences of less than two days are not the Humanities, in cooperation with reported to the parents or guardians. the Historic Preservation Office, The grandparents phoned the has recently completed a World War authorities as soon as they realized the II Marine Heritage Trail, which girls were missing, initiating a major allows tourists and residents alike to search that would go on for more swim in the lagoon and visit various than a month. In addition to local World War II relics, including ships, law enforcement agencies, the fbi airplanes, landing craft, and other sent dozens of agents from Hawai‘i detritus left behind after the invasion to assist. Over the following weeks, of Saipan in 1944. The sites are all hundreds of local residents joined in marked with underwater explanatory searching the tunnels and caves all signage and directions to the next over the island. No witnesses were stop. A waterproof map is available. found and no significant clues were This particular site was featured in the unearthed. A search dog was brought July 2011 issue of Archaeology Maga- in from Hawai‘i, but after several days zine, which contained stories about without results, the dog was deemed the archaeology of World War II. unable to fully function because of The Historic Preservation office the humidity and was returned to and the Commonwealth Council for Hawai‘i. the Humanities are now planning As of this writing (5 July 2011), a similar heritage trail on dry land there have been no clues of any kind, through the village of Garapan, which and no suspects have been identified. would highlight historic buildings and The fbi has withdrawn all but its sites ranging from the prehistoric to local agents, and police are now only the Japanese era. acting on tips and leads. There have Northern Marianas has joined been a number of prank calls to the Palau in banning the fishing, sale, grandparents and to the police, but and possession of shark fins. This is nothing worth following up. Depart- a growing movement to preserve one ment of Public Safety Commissioner of the ecological and environmental Ramon “Ray” Mafnas admitted that keystones of our oceans. one officer, believed to have some kind The year under review closed in a of relationship with the family of the very dismal state. On 25 May at 6:30 missing girls, has refused to take a lie political reviews • micronesia 163 detector test related to the investiga- an additional estimated $36 million tion. This event has affected the whole in US federal programs and services, of the Marianas because it appears but without a cap on the total amount that the girls were abducted by some- of federal dollars available. Initially body they knew; there is no indication there was hope that the US Congress of any kind of struggle, and other would pass the agreement before the students approaching the bus stop end of 2010, but Mr Toribiong was found it empty when they got there. not able to testify before Congress samuel f mcphetres until June 2011. While his testimony was respectful and comprehensive, he made a case for special consideration References by mentioning Palauans serving and making the ultimate sacrifice in the ann, Australian Network News website. United States’ conflicts in Iraq and 2011. Domestic Violence Makes up Bulk Afghanistan, Palau’s nearly unanimous of CNMI Court Cases. 20 April. support for the United States in United http://australianetworknews.com/stories/ 201104/3196145.htm?desktop [accessed Nations voting, and overtures made 1 September 2011] to Palau by the People’s Republic of China. He said, “We all want greater gao, US Government Accountability economic interaction with China, but Office. 2011. American Samoa and Com- it should be without compromising the monwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Employment, Earnings, and Status close alliance between Palau and the of Key Industries since Minimum Wage United States.” In his testimony before Increases Began. July. Washington, dc: the US Senate, he strongly urged sup- gao. port from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and from Con- Marianas Variety. Daily. Saipan. gress as a whole. At the time of this Saipan Tribune. Daily. review, Congress had not acted on the amended compact agreement. President Toribiong hosted two important regional meetings in 2010: Republic of Palau one with the Micronesian presidents President Johnson Toribiong’s third in July and one with the Microne- year in office was very busy. One of sian chief executives in December. A the most important issues was the communiqué was issued for the first finalization of negotiations of the meeting and a 225-page proceedings Amended Compact of Free Associa- document for the second. Three key tion with the United States. This was issues addressed at both meetings were done in early September when Toribi- the high rates of non-communicable ong and Deputy Assistant Secretary diseases, the depletion of Micronesia’s of State, Bureau of East Asian and fisheries resources, and adaptation to Pacific Affairs Frankie Reed signed climate change in the islands. a six-page, ten-part agreement with It is generally acknowledged that funding support totaling $229 million the pillars of good governance include for fiscal years 2011–2024. It included a public auditor, a special prosecutor, 164 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) a free and independent press, and a enshrined in the Universal Declaration competent, independent judiciary. By of Human Rights. Finally, Toribiong mid-year, Palau had no public audi- addressed the graduates of Palau Com- tor (although it has had an acting munity College in late May, delivering auditor for over ten years) and no a very personal message that empha- special prosecutor. Furthermore, the sized goals and passion as necessary president had fired the special counsel for success in any endeavor. It was hired to prosecute those responsible a grand speech that mixed Palauan for the collapse of the Pacific Savings proverbs with personal experiences. Bank (the so-called People’s Bank) in In April, the president presented his 2006. In February 2011 the president third progress report, known as the appointed Assistant Attorney General State of the Republic Address. It was Lucketta McMahon as the new inde- comprehensive and laudatory of his pendent counsel. However, McMahon ministries. The president announced is new to Palau and very new to the that the compact trust fund stood at savings bank collapse. $161 million. He stated that he was President Toribiong is a superb negotiating with the US Department speaker and appeared before the UN of the Interior for an arrangement that General Assembly. Mentioning Palau’s would allow Palau to fund the pur- peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, Timor chase and placement of an underwater Leste, and Solomon Islands, he also fiber-optic cable linking Palau to the reported on his nation’s efforts to outside world. This could be done, maintain the viability of Pacific fish he said, with funding from Com- stocks by limiting purse seine activ- pact II, which is now pending before ity as well as on the work being done Congress. Toribiong concluded his by the Pacific Small Island Develop- report by stating that he had draft bills ing States to persuade the world that circulating in Palau’s National Con- climate change is not merely a devel- gress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) that would opment issue but also a security issue. increase the minimum wage, give wage Toribiong called on the UN Security and salary tax relief to those who need Council to include Japan in its ranks it most, reform Palau’s antiquated for- and requested that the world body eign investment laws, and raise certain also include Taiwan in select UN activ- fees and taxes paid by tourists. ities. In response to the president’s But the president had his share appeal to the world’s conscience, of problems during the year under Germany volunteered to assist in the review. He appointed a new minis- removal of explosives left over from ter of state, medical doctor Victor World War II battles on Palau’s south- Yano, and reorganized that ministry. ern islands of Peleliu and Angaur. In His government owed $7 million to January 2011, the president delivered Palau’s electrical power agency, $1.6 special remarks to the World League million to the Civil Service Pension for Freedom and Democracy in Taipei, Plan, and nearly one million dollars Republic of China. In those remarks to the Social Security Administra- he stressed how his nation has demon- tion. Early in 2011, Minister Yano strated its dedication to the principles informed President Toribiong that political reviews • micronesia 165

Palau was terribly tardy in its pay- of the Northern Mariana Islands ments to international organizations scored 1.84, and Guam was the worst and, with payments of over $900,000 of the lot at 1.30. due, was on the verge of losing its President Toribiong is concerned voting rights in the United Nations. about two major infrastructural issues. The president also still had the nag- The first is the collapse of the beautiful ging problem of Morris Davidson, an Compact Road in three places along alleged super con-man whom he had its fifty-three-mile route. Two of these appointed honorary counsel to Malay- places have major damage, which the sia and whom the senate and Council United States has promised to repair, of Chiefs have urged him to be rid of and it appears that repairs will begin (see Shuster 2011). in 2012. The second issue concerns The president also faced the casino Koror’s wastewater system. Called “a gambling issue twice during the time bomb ready to explode,” it has period under review. The first time he indeed exploded, with frequent over- returned the poorly written legisla- flows of raw sewage in low-lying areas tion to the national congress and the of Koror. This is a major health and second time he approved the law but environmental problem that will dam- with a referendum. Toribiong pre- age Palau’s booming tourist industry, dicted that the people would defeat as well as the mangrove environment it by a 70 to 80 percent negative around Koror, if not fixed. vote. Meanwhile, both the Council At the end of the period under of Chiefs and concerned citizens filed review, Palau’s business community suits against the National Congress forged links with the People’s Repub- and the president, listing numerous lic of China. Business and trade will be illegalities. The Palauan voters ended facilitated by a nongovernmental body the issue by disapproving of the casino made up of representatives from both gambling legislation with a 76 percent nations. One has to wonder what the negative vote. Many people in the Taiwanese think of this development, community have vehemently opposed given the fact that Senate President the issue of casino gambling and, Mlib Tmetuchl is one of four Palauan come election time in 2012, they may representatives on the board of direc- remember the congressmen who took tors along with three Chinese busi- junkets to South Korea (courtesy of nessmen. Tmetuchl is an older brother a gambling investor) and pushed the to the president’s special assistant and gambling issue at home. the Chinese could use this connec- A federally funded study by tion in the future. This development Crawford & Associates of the finan- deserves watching since Palau now cial health and performance of US- has diplomatic ties and very friendly affiliated countries and territories in relations with Taiwan. Taiwan has the Micronesian region gave Palau a provided nearly $200 million in grants low score of 3.45 out of 10. Yap did and loans to Palau since establishing considerably better than Palau, scoring those relations in December 1999. 7.89; Chuuk scored 4.12; and Pohnpei Foreign nations have provided came in at 5.68. The Commonwealth Palau generous assistance since inde- 166 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) pendence in 1994. Besides US compact nesia. Palau has been evaluated as assistance, Japan has been especially being a Tier 2 country, but in 2011 helpful this year, donating aquarium the Federated States was downgraded equipment to Palau’s International to Tier 3, the worst possible rating of Coral Reef Center, medical analyzers a country’s efforts in the fight against to the national hospital laboratory, human trafficking. Palau maintained solar power equipment to the airport, a Tier 2 rating because of its internal a bus to Aimeliik Elementary School, efforts and coaching from a US State and a truck to the Palau Conservation Department specialist, Christine Chan- Society. Taiwan has annually pro- Downer. In early 2011, President vided $10 million for various sorts of Toribiong established a special task economic self-sufficiency projects, and force to study and prepare a report on Palau has agreed to waive its procure- Palau’s human rights record, to for- ment procedures to meet deadlines for ward the report to UN headquarters, expending those funds. Additionally, and to appear in Geneva to defend its Taiwan has provided Mandarin-lan- report before the UN High Commis- guage teachers to the Palau Commu- sioner on Human Rights. nity College through its International With over 6,000 foreign work- Cooperation and Development Fund, ers in Palau, the nation’s record of as well as specialists in information their treatment is not particularly technology and environmental sci- good. In April, twenty Philippines ence to the Koror State Government. nationals working in Palau took Canada agreed to provide funds for refuge in the Philippines Embassy in the removal of unexploded ordnance Palau. According to Tia Belau (11 left over on Peleliu from World War II. April 2011), “most of these defected This was made possible by President workers are either abused physi- Toribiong’s appeal at the opening of cally or morally and many . . . have the UN General Assembly in 2010. not been paid wages or salaries even Because of this same appeal, Germany up to three months.” Furthermore, is sending a team to Palau to assess the Tia Belau received a well-researched rehabilitation prospects of the envi- report titled “Trafficking in Persons ronmental damage caused by German Profile for Palau” that the newspaper phosphate mining on Angaur in the published. The report claimed that early 1900s. Australia is completing Palau has about “15 establishments a comprehensive refit of Palau’s fast known or believed to be involved in patrol boat, which Palau uses to patrol prostitution and potential traffick- its Exclusive Economic Zone. In May, ing of Chinese and Filipina females. Australia contributed grant funds to Many of the establishments were the Palau National Archives for sup- connected to hotels/rooms available plies and equipment. for rent” (TB, 11 April 2011). The According to the US Department report concluded by mentioning four of State’s 2010 Country Reports on d eficiencies in Palau’s governance: (1) Human Rights Practices, Palau’s a lack of law enforcement funding to human rights record is better than conduct necessary sting operations that of the Federated States of Micro- against establishments believed to be political reviews • micronesia 167 involved in sex trafficking; (2) a lack Former first lady Regina B Remeliik of victim protection resources; (3) passed away at age seventy-four. She corruption in government agencies had been a staff nurse and head nurse that deal with foreign workers; and until her husband, Haruo I Remeliik, (4) a lack of public awareness of the was elected as Palau’s first president issue. Palau’s special task force went in 1980. Another longtime nurse, to Geneva to report in person, but the Dibech Wong, passed away in Febru- task force chair, Minister of State Dr ary 2011. After her retirement from Victor Yano, and a representative from nursing, she had operated a very suc- a Palauan nongovernmental organiza- cessful store. A Koror State legislator, tion were not present. Toribiong Masang, died in March. Palau, a small-scale society with Former Senator John Tarkong died about 21,000 people, had 22 deaths in April; he was a member of the first in January 2011, the highest monthly Palau Constitutional Convention and total ever. Some of the prominent a practicing attorney. Espangel Obak persons to pass away were David James died at age seventy-nine; he was Kirschenheiter, a long-time resident a musician and an original member and lawyer from the United States; of the Friday Night Club of Palau. Albert Shiro, a former member of In May, Kentaro Yamashiro died of the National Congress; Timothy a heart attack; he had served as a Uehara, a long-time Koror legisla- councilman for Ngchesar State. David tor; and Ebekeu Oruki Bukringang, Miho, a jovial and friendly Hawai- who headed his clan for an unprec- ian, passed away in late May. He had edented seventy-three years and died worked for Continental Air Microne- at age ninety-one. Iyechad Takes sia and retired to Palau, becoming an Goto, a long-time government ser- observant and insightful columnist for vant, passed away at age eighty-six. Tia Belau news. In June, Lucas Salii, Tadashi Sakuma, three-term governor younger brother of former President of Ngaraard State, passed away on 30 Lazarus Salii, passed away on Guam. November 2010. Also tragically, Palau lost three Tragically, Allen Maldangesang, people to violence. Sgt Sonny Moses, executive officer of Palau’s patrol US Army, died in April from wounds boat, drowned in December while sustained in a suicide bomb attack in fishing with his father. Also in Decem- Afghanistan. Eight US soldiers died ber, popular Senator Adalbert Eledui instantly, while Sonny and several passed away after having spent a others survived the attack only to pass career in the US Army and retiring as a away during medical treatment in sergeant major. Prior to his election to Germany. Sonny had graduated from the National Congress, Eledui directed Palau High School in 2005, joined the the Koror State Conservation and Law army, and earned many awards and Enforcement Department and was a medals. He was the fifth Palauan to founding member of the Palau Con- make the ultimate sacrifice and died a servation Society. Also, he held the dis- Palauan hero. tinguished titles of Adelbairekesoaol Policewoman Nicole Malsol died at and Olikong. her own hand. She had served Palau as 168 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) a peacekeeper in Solomon Islands and and very dependable. They also look headed Palau’s contingent there. Gib for ways to begin businesses and have Gibson, a fourteen-year-old student taken over many of the small stores in at Mindszenty High School, died as a Koror. In an analysis of this phenom- result of serious head injuries from a enon by Tia Belau (21 March 2011), baseball bat attack by students from the newspaper claims that the Bangla another school. form teams of five to ten individuals, With the passing of Senator Eledui, with each team pooling resources from a special election was necessary to fill manual labor, buying a business, and his vacancy in the thirteen-member using a Palauan name—with permis- senate. Seven candidates emerged, sion—on the business license. They including such veteran lawmakers as also work in the stores for little or no Joshua Koshiba, Caleb Otto, Mario pay and do not remit any taxes to the Gulibert, and Victorio Uherbelau, but government. By not paying salaries or Elias Camsek Chin won by a land- reporting and paying taxes, the Bangla slide, taking 40 percent of the vote. “are able to head off the competition This must have been embarrassing for and still make a profit. In actuality, the veterans. their profit is really the taxes that Tourism is booming in Palau, with belong to the government and people over 10,000 visitors in July 2010. of Palau.” The Bangladeshi have Annual counts for the past decade formed an association and recently have ranged from 80,000 to 89,000, made a donation of five cases of but 2010 should be a record year. frozen chicken to Harris Elementary Most visitors come from Taiwan, School. To date, only one Bangla has Japan, and South Korea. May 2011 married a Palauan woman. saw 7,240 visitors, which is 30 percent Earlier annual reviews of Palau above the 2010 total. Hoping to cash reported on the Pacific Savings Bank in on these increases, the president and (psb) problem (see Shuster 2008, congressmen have proposed increasing 2009, 2010, 2011). The bank col- hotel room taxes, but hoteliers have lapsed in 2006, leaving some 640 strongly opposed the move. The rural depositors stranded. Soon after the states such as Ngardmau, Peleliu, and bank’s crash, small depositors were Ngarchelong have developed tour- paid in full from funding provided by ist attractions, which, together with Taiwan. However, as of March 2011, increased flights, have helped to stimu- some 439 large depositors are still late the boom. owed $18 million. President Toribiong The Bangladeshi population makes has gone out on a limb by promis- up a small but dynamic minority ing “to pay off depositors and to find within Palau’s larger minority of ways to rehabilitate the bank” (TB, foreign workers. There appear to be 14 Feb 2011). Recently Kaleb Udui 300 to 500 “Bangla,” as they are Jr, who is the bank’s receiver and also called by Palauans. They are Muslim, president of the National Develop- mostly male, and they normally do ment Bank of Palau (ndbp), has come gardening and a variety of odd jobs. under fire for alleged bad practices. They are known to be hard working The ndbp board has placed Udui on political reviews • micronesia 169 leave while the attorney general carries predisposition to obesity, and high out an investigation. In June, President prevalence of sedentary lifestyles (TB, Toribiong requested that the World 4 April 2011). Palau’s Dr Stevenson Bank review ndbp activities to deter- Kuartei, md, convened the meeting as mine whether it is functioning accord- PIHOA president. ing to law and best banking practices. Palauans generally have great It appears that the national bank that attachment to their culture and its is supposed to be cleaning up the psb customs and traditions. The nation mess may itself be in trouble. sent museum staff to Fiji for a work- Palau’s National Congress passed shop on cultural mapping. The high- and the president signed national ranking women of Palau—Mechesil health insurance legislation in 2010. Belau—held their eighteenth annual The legislation requires that all conference and made recommen- employers, including government dations for revising customs. This agencies, contribute 2.5 percent to the reviewer has completed a biography, national healthcare fund for each of still in manuscript form, of Thomas their employees. Each employee must O Remengesau, Palau’s first district also contribute 2.5 percent. Because administrator, minister, vice president, of the hardship this has caused low- president, and now traditional high income individuals, a new law low- chief of Ngaraard State. Palau’s Soci- ering the mandatory contributions ety of Historians has completed fifteen to 1.5 percent was contemplated. bilingual books concerning traditional Furthermore, the implementation of laws, customs, and practices. Finally, the new law was postponed to 1 April a special blue-ribbon panel is care- 2011. This allowed time for govern- fully reviewing a translation of Dr ment officials to search for sources of Augustine Kramer’s study of Palauan funds to supplement the healthcare traditional lifeways as observed by fund. The government’s Social Secu- the German anthropologist and his rity Administration was tasked with wife in the early 1900s. The goal is enrolling all of Palau’s employees and to repatriate the knowledge from the employers into the healthcare fund German to English languages so that it and carrying out briefing sessions on can be read, appreciated, and used by the content of the health insurance Palauans, thereby enhancing Palauan law. The idea of payroll deductions for identity and cultural pride. health services is new in Palau and has donald r shuster caused some anxiety. The Pacific Island Health Officers Association (pihoa) convened its Special thanks to Yoichi K Rengiil fiftieth meeting in Palau in early April. for comments on an earlier draft of The officers declared a regional state this review. of emergency due to the very high rate of non-communicable diseases in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands. These References diseases include high tobacco use, Shuster, Don. 2008. Micronesia in Review: high alcohol consumption, a genetic Issues and Events, 1 July 2006 to 30 June 170 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

2007: Republic of Palau. The Contempo- TB, Tia Belau (This is Palau). Koror, rary Pacific 20:209–215. Republic of Palau. Weekly. ———. 2009. Micronesia in Review: US Department of State. 2010. 2010 Issues and Events, 1 July 2007 to 30 June Country Reports on Human Rights 2008: Republic of Palau. The Contempo- Practices. Available online at http://www rary Pacific 21:136–143. .state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/index.htm [accessed 13 September 2011] ———. 2010. Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009: Republic of Palau. The Contempo- rary Pacific 22:152–161. ———. 2011. Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010: Republic of Palau. The Contempo- rary Pacific 23:199–207.