Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Joint Committee on Compact Negotiation Members Sworn-in

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 3,
1997 – The members of the Joint Committee on Compact Negotiations
(JCN) were sworn-in by President Jacob Nena in a brief ceremony held
in the Cabinet Room in Palikir this morning, Wednesday, September 3,
1997.

The ceremony was opened with a brief prayer by the FSM Postmaster
General and pastor of the Kapinle Church, the Rev. Bethwel Henry.
President Jacob Nena then gave a short statement in which he
congratulated the members of the committee. President Nena after
welcoming and congratulating the JCN members, and calling the
occasion very important in the history of the FSM remarked, “The
country looks to you to pave the way for the eventual re-negotiation
of the compact economic provisions. Your tasks and responsibilities
are awsome and will take your full energy and dedication.” He added
that it is with that in mind that he want to thank each and every one
of the members for undertaking the tremendous responsibility. “I
know, too,” the President said, “that our people and governments are
looking to you with very high expectations.” President Nena wished
them well and told them he looks forward to working with the
committee.

Also present at the ceremony were Pohnpei Acting Governor Dion
Neth, Pohnpei Legislature Acting Speaker Dachuo Johnson, Deputy
Secretary of the Department of External Affairs Ieske Iehsi who was
the Master of Ceremony, Cabinet members and other officials.

The JCN members include the Secretary of External Affairs Epel
Ilon, and from Congress: Speaker Jack Fritz, Floor Leader Joseph
Urusemal, Vice Chairman, Resources and Development Committee Yosiwo
George and Chairman of Congress Delegation in Pohnpei, Peter
Christian. From the States: Kosrae Lt. Governor Gerson Jackson,
former FSM Vice President and former Governor of Yap Petrus Tun,
Chuuk Governor Ansito Walter, and Chief of Dental at the Pohnpei
State Hospital, Olter Paul. The alternates are for Fritz, Chairman
of Resources and Development Committee Redley Killion; for Walter,
Chuuk Lt. Governor Manuel D. Sound; and for George, Vice Speaker
Claude Phillip.

After the ceremony the committee met briefly for election of the
oficers. Tun was elected Chairman of the Committee, with Epel K.
Ilon as Vice Chairman. The committee adjourned unitl 2:00 p.m., today
when the committee will continue its meeting.

The Committee, which membership consists of the Secretary of the
Department of External Affairs, an appointee from each state by the
President and Governor of respective state, and a member of the FSM
Congress from each State’s Delegation, are to carry out the following
responsibilities and obligations: set goals and objectives for the
Compact of Freee Association negotiations, conduct a thorough
analysis of allf actors relating to the Compact, develop necessary
strategies and approaches to commence negotiations, direct its
Secretariat in preparing the documentations necessary to accomplish
its responsibilities, analyze all economic information available on
the FSM, with the aim of identifying the FSM’s continuing needs,
report to the Congress and to the President on all developments and
information regarding the Compact negotiations, and to collaborate
with State Governments, Congress, Department of External Affairs, and
the President in identifying the nominees for the team of
negotiators, by whose respective approval will represent the FSM at
the actual Compact negotiations.

The Joint Committee on COmpact Economic Negotiations and its
Secretariat was established by Public Law No. 10-11, which was passed
in May 1997 sesion of the FSM Congress. The purpose is to prepare
for the Compact of Free Assocaition negotiations scheduled to
commence in November of 1999.