Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, March 13, 2003

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 13, 2003 –
Members of Congress are concerned that the 13th FSM
Congress may not be able to provide funding for operation of the national
government for FY 2004 if funding source (s) cannot be identified.
The nation and its four states, agencies and programs will need at least $80
million for operation based on FY 2003 level, according to a reliable
source.

In a meeting with the Secretaries of the Departments of Justice and Foreign
Affairs, and the Deputy Secretary of Finance and Administration, members
discussed issues associated with the negotiations of the compact between the
FSM and the U.S. Two issues of major concerns are immigration, which the
U.S. insists must be negotiated even though it is not one of the expiring
provisions and funding for the operations of the five governments in FY
2004.

The Congress also expressed its disappointment with the slow progress in
concluding the negotiations process.

The Secretary of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs stated in his report
to Congress that the document on the negotiated compact may not be sent to
the U.S. Congress for final review unless the issues on immigration are
resolved.

There are 4 items of major concern that the U.S. would like to address with
regard to immigration provisions under the compact. These are: entry of FSM
citizens into the U.S.; restricting FSM citizens living in the U.S.;
criminal records of FSM citizens entering the U.S. and adoptions of FSM
citizens by U.S. families.

In a 15 minutes session yesterday, Congress received a bill, C.B. No.
12-176, to further amend Public Law No. 10-11 by further amending sections
1, 2, and 4 to clarify the make-up and expand the negotiating authority of
the Joint Committee on Compact Economic Negotiations.

Speaker Jack Fritz asked members, those who will come back during the 13th
Congress, to remember the request made by the Our Lady of Mercy School
asking for Congress support.

Congress recessed at 11:15 and will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.