US envoy calls Marshall Islands ‘closest partner’ and talks Compact
BY GIFF JOHNSON Marshall Islands Correspondent
MAJURO, Marshall Islands — New United States Ambassador to the Marshall Islands called the western Pacific nation American’s “closest partner.”
Ambassador Laura Stone’s presentation of diplomatic credentials to Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine on July 12 in Majuro ended a 16-month period without an American ambassador in the Marshall Islands.
Ambassador Laura Stone presented her credentials to President Hilda Heine. Photo by Eve Burns
Stone, a China and Asia expert, was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. last year and confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this year.
“Our closest partner in the world resides not in Europe, not in the Americas, or even in Asia; rather it is the Republic of the Marshall Islands,” Stone told Heine.
“The Marshallese people serve in the U.S. military in higher rates than any state; you have the highest voting coincidence with the United States in the United Nations; you host one of our most important military bases, and our people are intertwined historically, culturally, and economically.”
Stone is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service. She has previously served as deputy assistant secretary for South Asia, overseeing U.S. policy towards India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Bhutan; acting deputy assistant secretary for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mongolia; and director of the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs.
She is fluent in the Chinese language.
In an interview with the Journal shortly after delivering her diplomatic credentials to Heine, Stone said she has three top priorities, starting off with a focus on effective implementation of the new Compact of Free Association “in a way that benefits the Marshallese people.”
She described her arrival in the Marshall Islands as “thrilling to be in a place with a great partner of the United States.” Stone quickly highlighted the large number of Marshallese who have volunteered to serve in the U.S. military since the first Compact went into effect.
She called the Marshall Islands a “robust democracy” and also pointed out the many Marshallese living in the United States “who are contributing to the U.S.”
On Compact implementation, Stone said that the “majority” of the updated Compact has been completed with a few pieces still left to complete. This includes the Federal Programs and Services Agreement that remains under negotiation between Washington and Majuro. The new Compact is “a solid foundation for the next 20 years,” she said.
In addition to her top priority item focused on Compact implementation, the new U.S. ambassador said her two other important priorities are to: Listen and understand what the issues are in the Marshall Islands. “It’s a discussion that needs to happen,” she said.
Ensure that the US Embassy — which she described as “an incredible group of people” — is fit for its purpose of implementing the Compact for the next 20 years.
Stone spoke at length about Marshallese armed forces veterans. “During the Compact discussions there was so much about veterans,” she said, adding that when she met up with Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko the first time, the most important issue for her was to “thank him for his service.” Kaneko is a retired U.S. Army veteran who served over 20 years.
While acknowledging that to provide Veterans Administration health services to veterans living in the freely associated states was complex, Stone said, “We want to ensure the veterans get benefits.” She indicated she would be talking to the Marshallese veterans group in Majuro that is organized around American Legion Post 22. “I will be asking the veterans to see what the situation is on the ground and to find a way forward,” she said.
Through U.S. Congressional action over the past several years, U.S. Veterans Administration services for veterans living in the freely associated states is being expanded and extended to the three freely associated states.
“This job,” Stone said of her tenure in the Marshall Islands, “it’s a partnership. We need to find a way forward in an environment of mutual respect.”
Stone said she’s hopeful the Federal Programs and Services Agreement will be resolved soon — “because it’s in the best interests of the beneficiaries,” she added.
This subsidiary agreement to the overall Compact relationship defines all the programs and services for which the Marshall Islands is eligible, including U.S. Postal Services, Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, numerous health and education programs, and more, that combine to add tens of millions of dollars annually in value in addition to the $50 million annual sector funding for education, health and other areas that is spelled out in the Compact.
Stone pointed out that funding in the third Compact “is a little different” than earlier versions. This is because there are multiple pots of money that can be used for different areas. The use of these funds needs to be decided by U.S. and Marshall Islands officials as part of implementation plans based on Marshall Islands priorities.
The relationship is of such significance, the U.S. ambassador said, “What is good for the Marshall Islands is good for the United States, and vice versa.”
Stone said her “highest priorities in assuming this post will be to ensure that the Marshallese are able to take advantage of our free association, to best benefit the everyday people of the islands.” mbj
