This is Babauta’s first visit to the Marshall Islands since the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment in Sept. 2009.
“I hope to visit an atoll while there,” Babauta told reporters during a press briefing on Friday afternoon.
A former Japanese colony, the Marshall Islands was invaded by the U.S. during World War II.
Between 1947 and 1962, the U.S. tested dozens of nuclear weapons in Bikini and Enewetak Atolls, the fallout of which continues to be felt by residents to this day who are afflicted with cancer and other diseases.
The island-nation, which has 29 atolls and located halfway between Hawaii and Australia, hosts the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll Reagan Missile Test Site, a key component of the U.S. missile defense network.
In 1986, the Marshall Islands became an independent republic and signed a Compact of Free Association with the U.S.
The U.S. continues to provide the Marshalls millions of dollars every year under the amended terms of their Compact of Free Association which will run through 2023.
Babauta said before coming to Saipan, he spent a day and a half on Guam and a week in Palau.
“I went there because the president was giving his State of the Republic Address and I was his guest. While there, I took the opportunity to meet with the Compact review team for Palau and also had meetings with the members of the [national legislature],” he said.
The visiting Interior official said there have been positive responses between the U.S. and Palau panels about the new terms of the Compact assistance for the island-nation.
“I think the Palauan negotiating team and the U.S. negotiating team have come to agreement on certain aspects of the relationship to move forward. But they haven’t made it public yet because they are still in negotiation nor should I make it public,” he said.
