A Permanent Exhibit "The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States: A Strategic Partnership" The History of the RMI's Bilateral Relationship with the United States

1. Introduction   2.WWII   3.Trust Territory   4. Nuclear Testing 5. Testing Effects 6. Resettlement 7. Constitution 8. RMI HOMEPAGE

Constitution of the Marshall Islands

In 1979, 48 delegates in the Marshall Islands held a constitutional convention to write the law of the Marshall Islands, the Constitution. Marshallese citizens voted to ratify the Constitution which calls for the creation of a one-house legislature, the Nitijela, and for the legislature to select one of its members to serve as president. The Nitijela selected Amata Kabua to serve as its first president.

	From April 1979 until his death in December 1996, Amata Kabua served as the first President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. In the 1970's, Kabua worked closely with the United States Government to terminate the trusteeship.
	The Department of Energy convenes community meetings, like this one on Utirik Atoll, to explain the effects of radiation to the people. Because there are no words for radiation, fallout, cancer, or thyroid in the Marshallese language, English and scientific terms are often difficult to translate. The Marshallese have created a unique discourse to discuss their experiences with radiation.
	After the trusteeship was abolished, the United States helped the Republic of the Marshall Islands join the UN. Because of shared goals and commitments, the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands tend to cast similar votes at the United Nations.

1. Introduction   2.WWII   3.Trust Territory   4. Nuclear Testing 5. Testing Effects 6. Resettlement 7. Constitution 8. RMI HOMEPAGE