"America is a big and rich nation that caused nuclear test problems to our small islands," said Ismael John, senator for the 'ground zero' atoll of Enewetak.

Tomaki Juda, a senator from Bikini atoll, drew parallels with the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where US President George W. Bush has acknowledged an obligation to help rebuild the countries after the damage caused by fighting there.

"There's no difference between the US responsibility in those countries and in the Marshall Islands for the problems its nuclear tests caused," he said.

Health Minister Alvin Jacklick told parliament Wednesday that while the healthcare program will close on January 31, special health services will continue for nuclear test-affected islands.

The two million dollar annual funding from the United States ended last year. Members of Congress on a recent visit to Majuro indicated interest in continuing the program although any action is unlikely until the next fiscal year, which starts in October.

Since it started in the late 1980s, the health program has grown to provide services for about 14,000 Marshall Islanders, nearly 25 percent of the population.

WAR.WIRE