MAJURO - at the United States spent a market with the RMI continue to use the key missile testing range at Kwajalein Atoll through 2066, officials said Wednesday.
This agreement, which ends a deadlock of eight years, offer hope to the overcrowded neighbouring Marshalls island of Ebeye, locally called "slums of the Pacific".
It will extend use to the Reagan Test Site United States, for 50 additional years in 2016 and it walks their annual rent for the Kawjalein Atoll by approximately $ 4 million.
Landowners Kwajalein will immediately receive a pay-out $ 32 million of funds that have accumulated since 2003 waiting for the agreement to be reached.
Thousands of residents Ebeye, filled United Church of Christ the island and its reasons to attend the historic signing.
"Where we are today are a compromise that we have agreed to safeguard our future, said landowner Kwajalein and Senator Christopher Loeak.".
Marshall Islands cover almost one million square kilometres of atolls coral, with over 1,000 islands, just north of the Ecuador.
The Islands were occupied by the United States after the second war world but became a sovereign nation under a compact of free Association with the United States in 1986.
With the agreement of land use installed, RMI Minister of Foreign Affairs John silk said "the real hard work can begin to develop Ebeye and the nation."
A US Army report, last year said the Ebeye sewers, water and waste management infrastructure was work or about to collapse, posing critical health threats to the population of 12,000.
"We have several key areas, we want to address, particularly on the road to Gugeegue, redevelopment of housing and sewer," said Senator Kwajalein and Chief Michael Kabua.
Approximately 1,000 inhabitants of the island who work in the Kwajalein test range live on Ebeye. CF/GJ/ft
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