When did Marshall Islands become Independent?

Answer 1

ANSWER: OCTOBER 1, 1986

More detail to resolve the confusion since some believe it was 1979, 1990 or even 2004.

The Marshall Islands approved its own constitution May 1, 1979. At this point the US granted the Marshall Islands "self-government".

A Compact of Free Association with the United States was signed on June 25, 1983.

The pact went into full effect on October 1, 1986. (official date of independence) The pact "recognizes the Marshall Islands as a sovereign, self-governing state with the capacity to conduct foreign affairs consistent with the terms of the Compact" At this point the Marshall Islands officially became the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The Marshall Islands were officially and internationally recognized as an independent country when the United Nations officially dissolved protectorate status (trusteeship) of the islands from the US December 22, 1990 ( resolution 683) by a 14-1 vote of the UN security council. What was left of the Soviet Union finally conceded the US had completed its obligations in the trusteeship. Only Cuba voted against this because it wanted to maintain UN oversight of the islands due to the continued US Military presence on the islands.

On September 17, 1991 the Republic of the Marshall Islands became a full member of the U.N.

The pact with the US was amended/reinforced on May 1, 2004 and is in effect until the end of 2023.

This "independence" though is not an absolute clean break with the US Federal Government. It is a "compact of free association." As a result many US federal agencies, regulations and aid programs are still administered in the Marshall Islands. The US Postal Service, FEMA, FAA, FCC among many others still operate in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The US Military is also contractually obligated to be the sole protectorate of the new Republic. The US still operates military bases there with the right to continue to do so until at least 2086. And all claims against the US Federal government dealing with atomic testing on Bikini Atoll oand others have been dropped in exchanged for a half a billion dollar payment to the new Republic.

The US dollar is still the official currency.

Marshallese citizens do not need special documentation to live and work in the US legally under the terms of the Free Association, though it is strongly encouraged that they do get an "EAD" Employment Authorization Document if for nothing else as a form of legal US identification. American citizens to not need a visa to travel to the Marshall Islands. Up until recently a passport was not needed. But a passport is now required by Marshalese and US citizens to travel back and forth.

Free association with the US does not necessarily grant independence. Puerto Rico is a Free Associated Commonwealth of the US and Guam has a Compact of Free Association but both remain as territories of the US.

Answer 2

ANSWER: OCTOBER 1, 1986

More detail to resolve the confusion since some believe it was 1979, 1190 or even 2004.

The Marshall Islands approved its own constitution May 1, 1979. At this point the US granted the Marshall Islands "self-government".

A Compact of Free Association with the United States was signed on June 25, 1983.

The pact went into full effect on October 1, 1986. (official date of independence) The pact "recognizes the Marshall Islands as a sovereign, self-governing state with the capacity to conduct foreign affairs consistent with the terms of the Compact" At this point the Marshall Islands officially became the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The Marshall Islands were officially and internationally recognized as an independent country when the United Nations officially dissolved protectorate status (trusteeship) of the islands from the US December 22, 1990 ( resolution 683) by a 14-1 vote of the UN security council. What was left of the Soviet Union finally conceded the US had completed its obligations in the trusteeship. Only Cuba voted against this because it wanted to maintain UN oversight of the islands due to the continued US military presence on the islands.

On September 17, 1991 the Republic of the Marshall Islands became a full member of the U.N.

The pact with the US was amended/reinforced on May 1, 2004 and is in effect until the end of 2023.

This "independence" though is not an absolute clean break with the US Federal Government. It is a "compact of free association." As a result many US federal agencies, regulations and aid programs are still administered in the Marshall Islands. The US Postal Service, FEMA, FAA, FCC among many others still operate in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The US Military is also contractually obligated to be the sole protectorate of the new Republic. The US still operates military bases there with the right to continue to do so until at least 2086. And all claims against the US Federal government dealing with atomic testing on Bikini Atoll oand others have been dropped in exchanged for a half a billion dollar payment to the new Republic.

The US dollar is still the official currency.

Marshallese citizens do not need special documentation to live and work in the US legally under the terms of the Free Association, though it is strongly encouraged that they do get an "EAD" Employment Authorization Document if for nothing else as a form of legal US identification. American citizens to not need a visa to travel to the Marshall Islands. Up until recently a passport was not needed. But a passport is now required by Marshalese and US citizens to travel back and forth.

Free association with the US does not necessarily grant independence. Puerto Rico is a Free Associated Commonwealth of the US and Guam has a Compact of Free Association but both remain as territories of the US.

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