Number: RL31737
Title: The Marshall Islands and Micronesia: Amendments to the Compact of Free Association with the United States
Authors: Thomas Lum, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: In November 2002, the United States initialed ad referendum agreements with two Freely Associated States (FAS), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The agreements amend provisions of the Compact of Free Association, which along with the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-239) governs the political, economic, and military relationships between the United Sates and the FAS. The Compact, as amended, extends financial assistance totaling approximately $2.7 billion to the RMI and FSM for 20 more years beginning in FY2004. Several changes were made to the way that grants and programs are administered in order to ensure greater accountability, oversight, and effectiveness. Furthermore, the Compact, as amended, establishes trust funds for the purpose of providing revenues to the RMI and FSM beyond 2023. The amendments would become effective in October 2003 subject to congressional approval. Related issues include providing additional grant and program assistance, increasing U.S. trust fund contributions, extending the agreement for the Kwajalein missile base, restricting the immigration privileges of RMI and FSM citizens traveling to the United States, and compensating Guam, Hawaii, and other U.S. jurisdictions for the impact of FAS migration on those areas.
Pages: 11
Date: May 3, 2004