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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US – Pacific Islands Summit (TV)
HEADLINE: Despite Friction, US Secures Partnership with Pacific Island Leaders
TEASER: US offers $810 million to a region where China is aggressively expanding its influence
PUBLISHED AT: 09/29/2022 at 9:16 pm
BYLINE: Patsy Widakuswara
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Holly Franko, Reifenrath, DJ (ok)
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Mandarin, AFP, AP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:20
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TV
EDITOR NOTES: Radio track included.))
((INTRO: ))
[[U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Pacific Island leaders at the White House Thursday, offering $810 million of assistance to a region where China is aggressively expanding its influence. The leaders signed the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership — which covers climate change, security and trade — despite initial discord among summit attendees. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.]]
((Biden & Pacific Island leaders family photo – to come in the evening, spray scheduled at 6.40 pm))
((NARRATOR))
The first U.S.–Pacific Island Country Summit concluded Thursday, with President Joe Biden welcoming more than a dozen of the region’s leaders to the White House. They signed the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership,
((Various Fijians on fishing boats, Reuters USN: VA369322072022RP1))
((NARRATOR))
which includes over $810 million in initiatives on climate change, sustainable fishing, pandemic recovery and trade.
((Biden walks into summit AP 4399878 )))
((NARRATOR))
It’s part of the administration’s focus on countering China’s influence in the region.
((President Joe Biden)) ((MRT Clip))
“Following appropriate consultations, we will recognize the Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign states. And we look forward to successfully concluding negotiations for the Compact of Free Association with three of our closest partners in the region, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.”
((Blinken and Micronesia, Palau and Marshall Island leaders, AP 4399862))
((NARRATOR))
The Compacts of Free Association give the U.S. exclusive rights to maintain defense assets in these nations, in exchange for funds and security guarantees.
((Nuke test footage https://app.frame.io/player/2d0cbfe2-b5d4-489a-82a8-8ce3ce3ec02f ))
NATSOUND OF EXPLOSION, TC 2:10
((NARRATOR))
Negotiations to extend the compact with the Marshall Islands have stalled amid demands that Washington better address the economic and health impacts of U.S. nuclear testing in the area after World War II.
((Radio track: President of the Marshall Islands, David Kabua))
((AP 4399514))
((David Kabua, Republic of the Marshall Islands President))
"In addition, climate change is a direct and primary risk, security risk for RMI (Republic of Marshall Islands) and Oceania, and I believe the whole world."
((Solomon Island VOA Mandarin b-roll, https://app.frame.io/player/717c9451-90a8-4288-9306-c61d13a8052b ))
((NARRATOR))
Solomon Islands signed a security pact with Beijing in April, raising concerns about a more permanent Chinese military presence. Administration officials and observers acknowledge that Washington had not paid enough attention to the region.
((Radio track: Brian Harding of the U.S. Institute of Peace, via Skype))
((https://app.frame.io/player/b05c5d95-30a2-47a2-8c98-326f60ec6742 TC 8:26))
((Brian Harding, U.S. Institute of Peace)) ((Skype))
“The most important outcomes of this summit are going to be internal to the U.S. government. In the lead-up of the summit, the dozens of U.S. departments and agencies that have interest in the Pacific were coaxed by the White House to figure out what their Pacific Island strategy is, to understand that it is linked to what others across the government are doing. I think it will lead to bureaucratic changes that will elevate the role and importance of the Pacific Islands in the U.S. bureaucracy.”
((Harris and summit, AFP V000_32EB6PY))
((NARRATOR))
In July, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the establishment of two new U.S. embassies – in Tonga and Kiribati. The Solomon Islands Embassy is also set to be reopened.
((Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington
BylinePatsy Widakuswara
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
