Giff Johnson, Editor, Marshall Islands Journal / RNZ Pacific correspondent
Marshall Islands Nitijela (parliament) thanks US Army Colonel Jeremy Bartel for his work with the Marshall Islands on Covid protection and the government s repatriation program that the Army is supporting.
Marshall Islands hospitality and warmth was on full display during the special recognition ceremony on Monday for the United States Army commander of the Kwajalein missile range.
US Army Colonel Jeremy Bartel was called to honor by Nitijela (parliament) in what Speaker Kenneth Kedi said was an unprecedented ceremony in the chamber to recognize Bartel for his contributions to the Marshall Islands.
The Marshall Islands must withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to maintain its integrity.
That s the view of senior opposition MP David Paul who said, If we don t do anything, we will be the laughing stock of the Forum, and our neighbors (in the Micronesia sub-region) won t trust us.
Kwajalein MP David Paul.
Photo: Twitter/ @MinisterDPaul
Paul represents Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands Nitijela (parliament) and was environment minister during President Hilda Heine s recent four years in office. Our only course of action is to do what Palau did, Paul continued, referring to the decision announced on Friday by the other Micronesian state to cut ties with the Forum and close its Suva embassy.