, | <WAJALEIN SHOWDOWN 3REWING Kwajalein Atoll landowners, incensed at -neir exclusion from negotiations ror the “. cure use the the Kwajalein Nissile Range, have threatened a full scule protes: cecupi.‘ron of their "of€ limits" islands which ‘uid shut down the vital U.S. army base. A growing split between the Marshall cnds government and the Kwajalein Atoll Sucporation, representing ail atoll landusners, ever which group has authority for 1 agreement also allows the U.S. 100 year military "denial" powers -- the right to foreclose access to Kwajalein for the military use of any third nation. The 100-year denial clause, and much of the language, is identical to the "Military Use and Operatin; Rights" agreement for the Republic of Belau RO|I-=NAMUR ~~ 7 r & -pretiating with the U.S. was exacerbated ++ 3 recent visit of Marshall Islands Presi_ctt émata Kabua to the United States. President Kabua, making his first state -. State visit in August to meet with the _ecretary of Defense and other high ranking _ ilatary officials, pledged his government's : Kwore,Yo We Se Pacific g Ccean ‘. Kwajalein? =ctal support for U.S. missile testing at “We will do our utmost to prothis very important mission that you are '' Kabua said while at the Army's . ilistic Missile Defense Systems Command in uutsville, Alabama. Kwajalein Jandowners state, however, . at there is "no concensus” on the Presi..nt's statements among Kwajalein residents, . jing that there was no consultation with Kwajalein Atoll Corporation (KAC) by the “resident before or during his U.S. trip, -eapite the fact that KAC members were in washington at that time. Despite President habua’s statement of -.oport for the U.S., a small group of HKwaiicin landowners began a protest occupation I their “Mid Corridor" islands in late ..,ust which may disrupt missile tests, ac.orJling to informed sources. In addition to their exclusion from -zgotdations, the KAC is upset with the vony delays in receiving the payments of consniuation from the U.S. via the Marshall sands government, the lack of action on the ryitical health and living conditions on .ver-populated Ebeye Island and a U.S. district court ruling in June which upheld cus Army's right to search Marshallese when any uSe of Kwajalein...until the Base Operating Rights Agreement...is limited to term of 15 years,” with provisions for a review of the agreement every five years. The current one year interim use agree ment for Kwajalein expires on September 30, and KAC spokespeople indicate they will begin an occupation of the many radar-dotre off limits islands if this and other demand are not met. A major protest in 1979 forced the U.S. to renegotiace the 1964 lease for Kwajalein Is. -- which paid only 9750,000 -- and provide compensation for other landowners evacuated from their hone islancs to Ebeve with little or no compenSation. The landowners are currently recei ving approximately $9 million a year. The Kwajalein Atoll Corporation does not want to enter another long term pact wi the Army, such as the BORA, in light of the 1964 Kwajalein Island 99-year lease. This agreement bound the U.S. to "improve the economic and social conditions of the Marshallese people, particularly at Ebeye..." “That lease was signed on the basis of In January, Kwajalein leaders learned suat Marshall Islands and U.S. government 1976 Congressional Hearing. “ree Association, the draft BORA would, approved, be effective for 30 years. if The | The KAC responded with a June resoluti those promises. range without the landowners participation. .. 'subsidiary" agreement to tte Compact of fEbeye which states "its members will not...grant shey enter and leave the Kwajalein base. sugotiators had drafted a "Base Operating cignts Agreement'’ (BORA) for the missile z Those promises have not been kept," said Senator Ataji Balos at a In its June 18 resolution, the KAC sai it will not agree to "further use of Kwa- jalein Atoll...until...a master plan for a decent Marshallese community" is developed and “payment of full and fair compensation’ Continued on Page 12