Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, January 27, 2004

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): January 27, 2004 –
The gallery was unusually packed even before Congress
went into session this morning and before it adjourned sine-die. People
filled the 170 seats in the gallery and more people were standing in the
hallways and outside of the chamber, trying to listen to the proceedings and
hoping to hear what they come here to hear about the recently introduced
amnesty bill.

People from all parts of Pohnpei came, residents and visitors alike,
government officials, students, business people, and regular citizens who
wished to witness the action of Congress on the bill, which has generated
unprecedented interest more than any other bill in the history of the FSM
Congress.

People have been calling the congressional central office and Members of
Congress for information and comments. People have been writing opposition
letters and running extensive petitions against the bill and today
approximately 500 people came before and during the plenary session this
morning. When Congress finally recommitted the bill to the Committee on
Judiciary and Governmental Operations for further study and investigation,
most people in the gallery stood up and left the chamber.

Before re-committal of the bill to the assigned committee, Floor Leader
Henry C. Asugar made a lengthy statement about the congressional bill. In
his statement, Asugar pointed out the reasons the bill was introduced and
explained why he believes the bill is good and timely. He believes that
citizens supporting some politicians have been unfairly targeted for
investigation and prosecution, while others not being investigated who
support opposition politicians are not.

Floor Leader Asugar also made reference to the fact that amnesty was granted
in the United States after the civil war for far more horrible acts than
have been alleged to be committed here in the FSM. The floor leader pointed out that the bill seeks
to forgive all classes of citizens of the nation who have committed wrong
against the nation. “It does not seek to forgive only those citizens of
this Nation from the State of Chuuk. Rather, it seeks to forgive all of
those who are similarly situated.” The bill seeks to forgive all those who
wronged the FSM Government since the beginning of the Compact November 3,
1986 to the end of the first part of the Compact November 3, 2003 and are
not yet convicted.

The bill claims that the national government has singled out certain classes
of people for investigation and prosecution based on the exercise of their
political right and claims that other classes of people who may have equally
committed the same types of wrong, are not being investigated or prosecuted
simply because of their political bent. The bill aims to clean that
selective process and start the year 2004 fresh, with a transparent and
accountable government. The bill is now with the Committee on Judiciary and
Governmental Operations for further study and investigations.

Other actions of Congress before it adjourned was the passage a bill on 1st
Reading that would allow payment of surviving spouse benefits under the
Social Security Act to continue after the surviving spouse has remarried,
and the passage of two other bills on final reading to change the use and
extends the lapse date of certain funds previously appropriated for the
States of Pohnpei and Chuuk. Congress also passed a bill on Second and
Final Reading to provide $2.8 million to fund social and economic
development projects throughout the nation.

Congress also approved an additional $15,682,670 from the general fund of
the FSM to fund the remaining 3rd and 4th quarters of the fiscal year 2004
for the operations of all branches of the FSM National Government, its
agencies, programs, grants, subsidies and contributions, and capital and
human resource development.

Congress also approved several
resolutions, including resolutions expressing profound gratitude and
appreciation of the 13th Congress to the United States Congress delegations
that visited the FSM for blessing the nation and its people with their
visit, a resolution approving a grant application for technical assistance
to supplement funding for the Third Economic Summit, and a resolution
indicating the total funds estimated to be available for appropriation by
Congress for the current fiscal year 2004.

Finally, on the last day of the session, Senator Isaac Figir of Yap
introduced a resolution that, if adopted, would reinstate the continued
service of retired FSM Supreme Court Justice Richard H. Benson whose service
was brought to a halt by an earlier resolution of the Congress that was
adopted this session.

Speaker Peter M. Christian appointed Senator Dohsis Halbert as chairman,
Vice Speaker Claude Phillip, and Senators Dion Neth, Ramon Peyal and Moses
Nelson as members of a new Special Committee designated to look into the
issues surrounding the College of Micronesia-FSM and the real property
purchased by the College in Chuuk.