PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): October 14, 2003 –
Speaker Peter Christian called October 13, for a halt on
domestic terrorism in the FSM and said that people of the FSM should join in
with the United States, Australia and the Indonesian people in their fight
on terrorism and to remember the sad events took place in New York on
September 11, and in Bali on October 10. Saying the acts were done not only
to those places and people, but to the places and people who welcome peace
and harmony to their shores. The speaker was referring to the problems
that take place in “our families” and communities. Christian also called on
a closed-door meeting of the Members, the President and members of the JCN
tomorrow, October 14, after the morning session.
During miscellaneous business, Senator Resio Moses inquired on the
information of medicine sending to the island of Polap in Chuuk. He asked
why wasn’t he informed, as chairman of the Committee on Health, Education
and Social Affairs, which jurisdictions covers that area. He asked what has
the FSM and Chuuk State governments done to help with the situation while
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have sent donated medicines to “our
people” on that island.
Senator Jack Fritz stated his embarrassment of the situation on Polap in
which Senator Moses alluded to. He said he as not heard of anything about
it and will look into it. The senator also thanked the United States
Congress for passing a continuing resolution providing to the FSM funding
for one more month, while continue working on the amended compact and other
programs. Senator Fritz extended appreciation to the governments of
Australia, the People’s Republic of China and Japan for their generous
funding for improvement programs and other activities in the FSM throughout
the years.
In the gallery and introduced for recognition where the ambassadors of
Australia, United States and People’s Republic of China and the Charge’de
Affairs of Japan to the FSM along with a few members of the president’s
cabinet.
Vice Speaker Claude Phillip was appointed chairman of the committee to Wait
On the President along with the chairmen of the state delegations as
members.
The Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs will hold public
hearing at 3:00 p.m. today and invites Members of Congress and interested
individuals to attend. The committee will continue to look into the issues
surrounding the College of Micronesia-FSM, which the committee earlier in
the weeks traveled to the states for the same purpose.