The Marshall Islands (MI) has never participated with any type of contribution in UN peacekeeping operations. The MI is a member of the SIDS. Besides the fact that the MI do not have defence forces, the main reason why they do not participate in UN peacekeeping operations is related to their foreign policy agenda. The MI seek to promote a higher participation of the international community on environmental issues, and international development for small island states. The MI has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since May 2006 (RAMSI 2006b, par. 1).
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
No direct record was found about the participation of the MI in UN reform activities. Nevertheless, the MI is a member of the SIDS, and they advocate having their needs heard in the process of the design of international policy.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
No direct record was found about the participation of the MI in UN reform activities. Nevertheless, the MI is a member of the SIDS, and they advocate having their needs heard in the process of the design of international policy.
Perception of peacekeeping
No record.
Domestic political environment
The MI adopted its constitution in 1979, and signed the Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1986 (UN-MI 2006, par. 2). The legacy of the post-war US occupation is seen particularly starkly on Bikini and Enewetak, which were both used for nuclear weapons testing between 1946 and 1958 (BBC 2006ai, par. 3). The US paid $150 million in a compensation package for the test victims in the 1980s (Ibid.). But whilst Enewetak has been partly decontaminated, Bikini is still uninhabitable (Ibid.). The MI has petitioned for additional compensation (Ibid.). The MI could bring these issues to the negotiation table as a condition to engage in UN peacekeeping operations. But due to the influence of the USA in international affairs, it is not likely to happen. Thus, a major problem for the islands is how to gain some measure of financial independence from the US (Ibid.). Imports dwarf exports, unemployment is high and many islanders live by subsistence farming (Ibid.).
Domestic economic environment
The government is heavily dependent on grants provided by the US government, particularly those under the Compact of Free Association, which went into effect in 1986 (Thomson 2006j, par. 2). These grants, averaging ranging from $40 million/year to $60 million/year, are given in exchange for furnishing military facilities and comprise roughly 60% to 70% of total government revenues, and 40% to over 50% of total GDP (though individual estimates are subject to statistical deficiencies due to the uncertainties in the collection of data) (Ibid.). A major problem for the islands is how to gain some measure of financial independence from the US; and imports dwarf exports, unemployment is high and many islanders live by subsistence farming (BBC 2006ai, par. 4). As a result, perhaps the government of the MI might see the need to seek employment for its citizens as peacekeepers; this measure has been already adopted by other small island states, as we will discuss further. Tourism is one option; unspoiled beaches abound and the islands are an ideal base for scuba diving and sports fishing (Ibid.). The islands also sell fishing rights to other countries, and offer ship registrations under the MI flag (Ibid.). But this might not be enough in the long run.
Military affairs
There are no armed forces in the MI (Thomson 2006j, par. 5). Under the Compact of Free Association, the United States provides defence for a minimum 15-year period and operation of the Kwajalein Missile Range for 30 years (Ibid.). Based on the fact that the MI wants to acquire greater independence from the USA, it is more likely that the MI will seek another country to be their sponsor in case of engagement in UN peacekeeping operations.
Foreign policy
In 1996 the MI joined with 38 other nations to form the Alliance of Small Island States (Ibid., par. 2). The Alliance, concerned with global warming and rising sea levels, wants the industrialize nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2005 (Ibid.). Until October 21, 1986, the country was administered by the United States under a UN Trusteeship Agreement (Ibid., par. 3). The MI was admitted to the UN on September 17, 1991 (Ibid.). The government continues to support and participate in the activities of regional bodies (Ibid.). The MI has no diplomatic missions overseas, although an office of a resident representative to the United States was established in 1986 (Ibid.).
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
Climate changes are a very important part of MI’s agenda, and it is also represented in the MI’s foreign policy. The country “consists entirely of low-lying coral atolls, evolutionary remnants, of the more commonly known and visited high volcanic islands” (UN-MI 2006, par. 1). There are 29 separate atolls in the Marshalls, containing a total of 1,225 islands, 870 reef systems, and 160 species of coral (Ibid.). The Marshalls is one of only four atoll nations in the world and is also one of the world's youngest nations, independent since just 1986 (Ibid.).
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
No record.
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
The MI “has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since May 2006” (RAMSI 2006b, par. 1).
