Broadly speaking, the clock probably started for you when you flew through ATL and/or JFK and will stop when you fly back to Europe via either airport. Same thing would apply if you flew through the U.S. just to visit Canada and had to fly back through the U.S.

I presume Martinique must be considered an "adjacent island".

See this: http://curacao.usconsulate.gov/visa_waiver_program.html
http://www.visaservices.duke.edu/Tra...ritory.html#q4

Unfortunate but this is U.S. paranoia.

If you are a French citizen, you could argue Martinique (or Guadeloupe or any French possessions in the area) is part of France and thus home territory. This is not available to other E.U. member nation citizens as, AFAIK, these islands are not part of the E.U.

Best thing to do is call on the U.S. consulate and ask.