project

Letters

Marshalls project

Sir FACTS are often acquired only after a bilateral investigation and a comment to truth and fairness. Your account of the planned resort development on an unin habited atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands [PIM Sept) was incom plete and generally misleading.

Among the realms of domestic issues, economic interests, tourism and preser vation of the environment, the Iroijlaplap Murjel Hermios Eleemosy nary Trust continues to promote and defend the traditional rights and mores of (the Marshallese people) its benefici aries.

In terms of property, the Trust owns about one-third of the atolls and one quarter of the land area of the RMI. At its head is one of the highest ranking paramount chiefs.

Knowing all of these facts, John Miller broke off negotiations for the develop ment at Erikub Atoll with the Trust in favour of trying to strike a deal on his own.

The resulting lease he signed would have stripped the Marshallese natives of all rights to the atoll and could have put off rent payments (as credit against losses) for as much as one or two decades.

It would have also give Islander Invest ments, Inc. almost unlimited powers to build any structure and sublet or modify the lands, lagoon and seabed within a five mile radius of this very fragile uninhabited ecosystem and refuge for wildlife.

Contrary to your account, Mr Miller uas made no attempt to contact that

which he knows is the rightful land owner, the Trust, to reach an out of court settlement. In fact, the court case continues toward a hearing date.

We trust your readership will under stand that the image of the Marshallese (“dissenting landowners”) should not be judged nor influenced by comments made by the American Miller. Details of these dealings and their impact would be voluminous but suffice to say that the Marshallese should not be characterised as being the problem.

We invite your reader’s response and broad support of efforts to preserve native rights and the natural environ

ment. By working together, the peoples

of the Pacific region will ward off the advances of profiteers and continue in

understanding, cooperation and innova

tive approaches to economic develop ment and tourism.

For further information or comments, please write P O Box 8441, Honolulu, Hawaii 96830.

Kermit Rydell

Iroijlaplap Murjel Hermios Eleemosynary Trust Honolulu Hawaii.

LETTERS to the Editor must include the writer’s full name, address and home telephone number. All letters may be edited for purposes of clarity and space.

Letters should be addressed to: G P O Box 1167 Suva

Fiji Islands

OR Fax; (679) 303809.