Marshall Islands
Country in the W 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 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 1986, making the islands self-governing,
but with the USA retaining military control. In Nov 1986 President
Reagan issued a proclamation ending his country's administration
of Micronesia, including the Marshall Islands. The UN trusteeship
agreement was formally ended Dec 1990. The islands became a fully
independent state and were admitted into the UN Sept 1991. Amata
Kabua, acting president from 1979, was re-elected 1991 as the
first president of the independent state, and again 1995. He died
Dec 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.
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