Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MAJURO129
2008-11-21 04:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Majuro
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR TALKS FIBER CABLE WITH TOMEING
how-toP 210430Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY MAJURO TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2214 INFO CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI CDRUSAKA KWAJALEIN MH AMEMBASSY MAJURO
UNCLAS MAJURO 000129
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR RM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR TALKS FIBER CABLE WITH TOMEING
REF: A. A:MAJURO 0128
B. B:FAIRLAMB - GRIGSBY EMAILS 11/20
UNCLAS MAJURO 000129
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR RM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR TALKS FIBER CABLE WITH TOMEING
REF: A. A:MAJURO 0128
B. B:FAIRLAMB - GRIGSBY EMAILS 11/20
1. During the Ambassador's November 20 meeting with President
Tomeing and his advisors, Minister in Assistance Loeak asked
for an update on the status of the submarine fiber optic cable
project, saying that NTA manager Tony Muller was off island to
brief the Micronesian Chief Executive Summit, and that the
Cabinet had not yet been given an updated brief. COMMENT:
President Tomeing did not attend this year's summit, stating he
was staying in the RMI to work on the vital LUA issues. Foreign
Minister deBrum was sent to the summit in his stead. END COMMENT
2. The Ambassador shared with the President the latest
available information, namely that the length of the proposed
lease had been returned to 25 years, the Rural Utility Service
loan for the RMI had been approved in principal and without the
need for a GRMI guarantee, but that there was still the need for
the FSM and RMI to establish a combined 3 million USD escrow
account to pay for possible breakdowns in the cable. The
Ambassador also pointed out the erroneous article in this week's
Marshall Islands Journal, and his concern over its lack of
accuracy.
3. The President thanked the Ambassador for providing the
latest information and Minister Loeak stated that the Cabinet
will ask Minister of Transportation and Communications Momotaro
brief them further.
BISHOP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR RM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR TALKS FIBER CABLE WITH TOMEING
REF: A. A:MAJURO 0128
B. B:FAIRLAMB - GRIGSBY EMAILS 11/20
1. During the Ambassador's November 20 meeting with President
Tomeing and his advisors, Minister in Assistance Loeak asked
for an update on the status of the submarine fiber optic cable
project, saying that NTA manager Tony Muller was off island to
brief the Micronesian Chief Executive Summit, and that the
Cabinet had not yet been given an updated brief. COMMENT:
President Tomeing did not attend this year's summit, stating he
was staying in the RMI to work on the vital LUA issues. Foreign
Minister deBrum was sent to the summit in his stead. END COMMENT
2. The Ambassador shared with the President the latest
available information, namely that the length of the proposed
lease had been returned to 25 years, the Rural Utility Service
loan for the RMI had been approved in principal and without the
need for a GRMI guarantee, but that there was still the need for
the FSM and RMI to establish a combined 3 million USD escrow
account to pay for possible breakdowns in the cable. The
Ambassador also pointed out the erroneous article in this week's
Marshall Islands Journal, and his concern over its lack of
accuracy.
3. The President thanked the Ambassador for providing the
latest information and Minister Loeak stated that the Cabinet
will ask Minister of Transportation and Communications Momotaro
brief them further.
BISHOP