Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, March 13, 2003

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 13, 2003 –
Congress amends Public Law No. 10-11 in a bill passed
First Reading today to allow non Congress members to be on the Joint
Committee on Compact Economic Negotiations (JCN). The bill was originally
introduced to authorize JCN to negotiate on other non-expiring provisions of
the compact with the United States, but it was amended to delete it as this
could delay further conclusion of the negotiations.

Also passed on First Reading was a bill to simply correct some engrossing
errors in section 142 of title 54 of the FSM Code.

Senator Dohsis Halbert recommended to Speaker Jack Fritz to encourage the
administrative people of the Congress to make sure all debts, in or outside
of the nation, be paid before the 13th Congress comes in.

Congress discussed the issue relating to some name of individuals who were
nominated by President Leo A. Falcam last October and November to the FSM
Banking Board. Floor Leader Joseph J. Urusemal requested the president that
the pending nominations have exceeded the time frame provided by law for
nomination (s) to be reviewed by the Congress. There is urgent need to fill
these vacancies as application to open a bank in one of the states in the
FSM is already filed.

Congress recessed at 3:15 p.m. and will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.