Marshall Islands: Return to Domestic Mail Services a
The United States Postal Service’s restoration of domestic mail designation is a “great victory in many ways” for the people and businesses of the Freely Associated States (FAS), according to Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce President Jack Niedenthal.
In September 2005, the United States Postal Service announced the change from domestic to international designation for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia, Within six months of implementation, the private sector, which relies heavily on letter and package service from the United States, reported that the loss of domestic services was causing severe hardship and confusion.
The Chamber of Commerce, in addition to the RMI Government, wrote letters to U.S. officials asking them to reconsider the continuation of this policy. Last Wednesday, the USPS announced reversal of its policy, and the return to domestic mail treatment on November 19.
It also represents progress in the broader arena of the relationship between the US and the FAS in that we now know that the Compact is not cast in stone; it is a living document that can be changed if both parties see the need to do something different.”
During last July’s hearing before a U.S. House subcommittee, RMI Foreign Minister Gerald Zackios said that the current Postal Services Agreement was not consistent with the “mutual desire to promote private sector development.”
In August, representatives from USPS informed postmasters and post office managers attending a two-day workshop in Palau, of the plan to revive the zip code and domestic rate services in Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of the Marshall Islands.
