Pacific Islands Agreements

Amendments to Agreements With Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Micronesia in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to Amendments to Agreements With Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Micronesia: On March 19, the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Protocol to the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Concerning Cooperation in Maritime Surveillance and Interdiction Activities. The Protocol amends the earlier Agreement, most notably, by adding to Article 1 a new definition, entitled “Law Enforcement Vessels,” that covers “warships and other ships of the Parties. . . .” The original Agreement referred only to United States Coast Guard law enforcement vessels. Thus, the Protocol modifies the Agreement to allow for greater cooperation through the joint maritime surveillance program, including through the use of U.S. Navy vessels. The Protocol entered into force upon signature.

Some Aspects of Amendments to Agreements With Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Micronesia

The United States similarly modified two other maritime law enforcement agreements with Pacific Island partner nations to permit cooperative activities aboard U.S. Navy vessels:

(1) On March 27, the United States and the Republic of Kiribati signed a Protocol to the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Kiribati Concerning Cooperation in Joint Maritime Surveillance Operations. The Protocol entered into force upon signature.

(2) On April 5, the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia agreed, by exchange of diplomatic notes, to an amendment to the Cooperative Shiprider Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. See this world legal encyclopedia (in relation to issues that took place in the year 2008) at 649-50 for discussion of the original agreements with these Pacific island states.

Resources

Notes

1. Amendments to Agreements With Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Micronesia in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law