MAJURO, Marshall Islands (PINA Nius Online): May 31, 2002 - The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to delay application of international mailing rates to the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Earlier this year, postal officials announced that that the two countries' mail status would be changed from domestic to international.

The two independent nations, formerly part of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, now are considered domestic locations for mail purposes. The two North Pacific nations have U.S. mail zip codes.

The planned change prompted an outcry from the private sector, which depends heavily on letter and package service from the United States.

The proposed change would increase postal rates approximately four-fold.