PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): June 6, 1997 –
President Jacob Nena and his delegation arrived Pohnpei from
Australia on June 4, 1997, on Continental Micronesia Flight from Guam.
Nena headed the FSM delegation to Perth at the invitation of the
Government of Australia, to receive on behalf of the FSM Government
in the Handover Ceremony for Patrol Boat FSS Independence which was
held on May 31, 1997 at South Coogee, Western Australia.
The ceremony began with welcoming and introduction of the honor
guests by Brigadier A.G. Warner, LVO, ADC followed by Handover to the
Commonwealth Director, Transfield Defense Systems Pty Ltd., Robert
Salteri, response and Handover to the FSM by the Minister of Defense
Industry, Sciences and personnel followed by response by His
Excellency Jacob Nena who then named the ship and unveiled the ship’s
name board. President Nena then invited the ship’s Commanding
Officer, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Maluweriam to commission the
ship who did so with the following statements, “The commands of duty
lay upon us all both opportunity and dangers, and therefore it is fit
and proper that we should humbly ask the blessings of Almighty God at
the beginning of this commission, that he may sustain us in the
performance of our duty. Let us join ourselves in prayer that this
ship may always be under God’s protection, and that we ourselves may
service in her to good of our Government, the advancement of our
nation and the glory of God’s most Holy name.”
The ceremony was concluded with a Benediction, the playing of the
national Anthem of FSM followed by the signing of the handover
certificates by the President Nena and the wife of the Honorable
Bronwyn Bishop, MP, Minister for Defence Industry, Science and
personnel.
A formal dinner reception was held at the Sheraton Perth Hotel in
which traditional toasts were offered and a welcome statement was
delivered by The Honorable Bronwyn Bishop, MP and a response by FSM
President Jacob Nena.
The delegation included Attorney-General Camillo Noket, Chief,
Division of National Police Lester Ruda, and Special Assistant Josiah Waguk.
FSS Independence is the third Pacific Patrol Boat to be handed
over to the FSM under auspices of the Defence Cooperation Program.
With Independence, FSM became the first nation to make contribution
to the cost of construction of the patrol boat. FSS Independence
will join her sister ships FSS Palikir and FSS Micronesia later this
year in undertaking surveillance patrols and other related tasks in
FSM’s Economic Zone which contains rich tuna resources.
FSS Independence is named after the independent island group of
Federated States of Micronesia, formerly known as the Caroline
Islands. FSM was internationally recognized as an independent nation
on September 17, 1991.
