*EPF408 06/19/2003
Text: Ambassador-Designate Morris Discusses Marshall Islands Policy
(Morris's June 18 statement to Senate Foreign Relations panel) (810)

Greta Morris, a 23-year veteran of the Foreign Service, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee June 18 to discuss her nomination to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Morris said that if her nomination is approved, she will focus on assisting the Marshall Islands to achieve greater economic self-sufficiency and accountability in its management of Compact of Free Association funds. Under the terms of the Compact, the United States provides approximately $67 million in aid to the Marshall Islands annually.

Following is the text of Morris's remarks, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

JUNE 18, 2003
STATEMENT OF GRETA N. MORRIS
BEFORE THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today to discuss my nomination to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. I am deeply honored by my nomination by President Bush and Secretary Powell and wish to thank both of them for the confidence they have shown in me through this nomination. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working closely with this committee and others in the Congress who are interested in the Marshall Islands.

The United States and the Marshall Islands have had a close and important relationship since shortly after the end of the Second World War, when the Marshall Islands became part of the U.N. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under the administration of the United States. In 1986, when the Marshall Islands gained its sovereignty, it entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Compact assisted the Marshall Islands in its transition from Trust Territory to democratic self-government and membership in the world family of nations. Under the Compact, United States defense guarantees ensure the security of both nations. The Marshalls are host to some 2,300 Americans who work along with 1,300 Marshallese at the Kwajalein Missile Range. The Marshall Islands has a 99 percent voting affinity with the United States in the United Nations. It has been a strong supporter of the war against terror, bringing into force the twelve U.N. conventions to combat terrorism, and bringing the oversight and regulation of its financial services sector into conformity with international standards. Marshallese soldiers served bravely in American military units conducting Operation Iraqi Freedom and remain stationed there as part of the stabilization forces.

The U.S. and the Marshall Islands have an important economic relationship as well. The U.S. is the Marshall Islands' most important trading partner. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the United States provides approximately $67 million in aid to the Marshall Islands annually.

The amended Compact of Free Association was signed on April 30 of this year and will be voted on in the U.S. Congress and in the Marshallese Parliament later this year. If I am confirmed, I will faithfully implement the Compact including assisting the Marshall Islands in achieving greater transparency and accountability in its management of Compact funds. I will encourage the Marshallese to work toward economic self-sufficiency.

The United States has another important interest in the Marshall Islands: fulfilling obligations brought about by our nuclear testing program from 1946 to 1958. If confirmed, I will work diligently to discharge U.S. responsibilities as outlined in the Compact and other related agreements.

I believe my 23 years in the Foreign Service have prepared me well to become Ambassador to the Marshall Islands. Since first joining the U.S. Information Agency in 1980, I have always served in developing countries. I first served in Africa--in Kenya and Uganda, and then in Southeast Asia-in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. As Deputy Director of the Office of Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, I had responsibility for oversight and policy direction for public diplomacy programs throughout the East Asia and Pacific region. My experience in both Africa and East Asia has given me an understanding of the political, economic and social challenges faced by developing countries and new democracies. I have had considerable experience in financial and personnel management, and commit myself to be a good steward of U.S. funds and other resources. In addition, I believe my extensive experience in public diplomacy will be particularly useful in this era when cultivating public opinion is so critical to gaining support for our foreign policy. If I am confirmed, I look forward to the new challenges of serving as Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, thank you again for this opportunity to address you. I will be happy to answer your questions.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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