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Marshall Islands

Country in the west Pacific Ocean, part of Micronesia, occupying 31 atolls (the Ratak and Ralik chains).

Government

The 1979 constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government, with a 33-member single-chamber assembly, the Nitijela, elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term. The Nitijela elects a president from among its members as head of state and government. The president heads an 11-member cabinet. There is also a 12-member consultative Council of Chiefs (Iroij), consisting of traditional leaders, which deals with matters relating to land and custom.

History

Originally colonized by Spain and then by Germany, the islands were sold to Germany in 1906 and then occupied by Japan during World War I. Japan was given a League of Nations mandate to govern them 1920. During World War II they were occupied by the USA and in 1947 became part of the United Nations (UN) Pacific Islands Trust Territory, administered by the USA. The Enewetak and Bikini atolls were used for US atom bomb tests 1946-63. From 1965 there were demands for greater autonomy and the islands went through successive stages of decolonization until a Compact of Free Association with the USA came into force in 1986, making the islands self-governing, but with the USA retaining military control. In November 1986 President Reagan issued a proclamation ending his country's administration of Micronesia, including the Marshall Islands. The UN trusteeship agreement was formally ended in December 1990. The islands became a fully independent state and were admitted into the UN in September 1991. Amata Kabua, acting president from 1979, was re-elected in 1991 as the first president of the independent state, and again in 1995. He died in December 1996, and in January 1997 the Nitijela (legislature) elected his cousin, Imata Kabua, as his successor in a contested ballot. Imata Kabua was a powerful traditional chief from Kwajalein Atoll, the site of a US missile test facility for which rental payments of $7 million per year were received, making him one of the richest people in the Marshall Islands. He retained all members of the previous cabinet and pledged to maintain the status quo.

In September 1998 Imata Kabua's government survived a no-confidence vote after the president's supporters boycotted parliament to make it inquorate. A further no-confidence motion was defeated by a single vote in November. In general elections in November 1999, Kessai H Note was elected president, taking office in 2000.

Bikini Atoll Dalap-Uliga-Darrit

Enewetak Atoll Jaluit

Johnston Atoll Kabua, Amata

Pacific Islands Ratak

Turner, Richmond Kelly