Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Cabinet Meeting News

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): February 2000 – President Leo A. Falcam reported that his trip to the prayer breakfast permitted him to meet U.S. President Bill Clinton for about 40 minutes. President Falcam also said that he and his staff were able to establish a conduit to the White House for the purposes of Compact of Free Association contact.

During the breakfast, the President gave the opening prayer before the 3,000 attendees from governments world wide. In doing this, the location, name, and history of the FSM were presented by the prayer coordinator. These were remembered by the many heads of state who later spoke with bin4 said the President.

President Falcam, also, said he was able to meet and explain much about the FSM to many U.S. Senators and Representatives during the meetings he had during the time he spent there. Among those he met were Representative Denny Hastert, speaker of the House of Representatives; Senator Trent Lott, majority leader of the Senate; Senator Connie Mack from Florida; Senator Daniel Akaka from Hawaii; Ralph Regula, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations with special oversight of the Department of Interior and related agencies; and Guam Congressman Robert Underwood.

The President was also able to talk with the Secretary of Interior and the American Compact Chief Negotiator Al Stayman.

  • Foreign Affairs reported that the FSM would put forth its economic proposal package to the U.S. negotiating team when they meet in San Francisco for the second round of negotiations April 24 through 30 April. Foreign Affairs also reported that four senior accountants from the U.S. Government Accounting Office would be spending two weeks looking at the FSM and reporting back to their respective U.S. Congressional committees.

  • Foreign Affairs also reported that over the next few weeks there would be a number of other visitors from the United States gathering information as to how Compact money has been spent over the years.

  • Foreign Affairs also reported that the upcoming Presidential trip to Beijing, China, is scheduled for March 26 to 3 1. During this trip President Falcam is scheduled to meet the President and Premier of China. Discussions will focus on four areas: Economic cooperation between the two nations; China’s interest in the Pacific region; the one-China policy; and how to cooperate with China on the international level in light of the Compact of Free Association with the United States.

  • Foreign Affairs also reported that Israel is prepared to renew its invitation for the FSM president to visit. The timing is still being worked out.

  • The President reported that he was able to visit FSM Chief Justice Andon Amariach in Honolulu. The Chief Justice will undergo heart surgery March 3. The President said the Chief Justice is in good spirits.

  • The Public Auditor reported that his office is understaffed by 40 percent and that he has not received resumes to fill supervisory positions, though he has advertised on the internet, He said he might have to begin advertising in professional journals. The supervisory positions require certification.

  • The Disaster Preparedness director reported that a new plan is being complete.