Yearbook 2006
Marshall Islands. According to
CountryAAH, the US government's representative for
contacts with the Marshall Islands in August urged the
country to promote growth before the Compact of Free
Association expires in 2023. The agreement provides the
Marshall Islands with significant financial assistance from
the United States each year. At a meeting on the
appropriations, US Representative David Cohen said that even
with today's support, the Marshall Islands have not been
able to achieve economic growth. He recalled that the
appropriations will be significantly smaller after 2023,
arguing that the country must first and foremost invest in
the private sector to boost growth. The Marshall Islands are
now completely dominated by the public sector.
In March 2006, the UN General Assembly voted for the
establishment of a new Human Rights Council. Only 4
countries voted against: USA, Israel, Marshall Islands and
Palu. This small group of countries is notorious for
agreeing (and alone) in special cases such as opposition to
the UN condemnation of the US blockade of Cuba and the
invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
In March 2007, the Marshall Islands were put in an
emergency after prolonged drought.
The islanders expressed strong opposition in June 2007 to
the plans to renew the military lease agreement with the
United States until 2086. The United States wants to
continue its missile testing on the islands. The solid
opposition is a challenge for the government of Majuro,
which had considered an extension of the existing agreement
expiring in 2016 for sure.
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