Nena Hold Pohnpei’s Appeal to FEMA Denial on Request
for Disaster Declaration, Requests Additional Time Instead
PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): August 12, 1997
– FSM President Jacob Nena, on August 7, 1997, responded to Pohnpei
Governor Del S. Pangelinan’s letter of August 6th. requesting Nena to
transmit to United States President William J. Clinton, Pohnpei’s
appeal of FEMA’s denial of the request for the declaration of major
disaster for the State of Pohnpei as results of suffering and
hardship from Tropical Storms Isa and Jimmy.
Nena requested for an extension of the time in which to file the
appeal to allow time for his staff to evaluate the appeal so that an
informed decision can be made. Nena says he will be happy to meet
with Pangelinan to discuss the matter.
Nena stated that he shares the Governor’s concern for the people
of Pohnpei, but added that as President of this Nation, he has not
the luxury of making decisions determined solely by personal
feelings. No time was given to his office to review the contents of
the appeal, discuss its merits, or consider the broader implications
for the Nation.
As he is willing to assist the State of Pohnpei, it would be a
dereliction of duty of his office to approve the appeal without first
taking adequate time to review it. Nena said the National Government
was not informed of the progress of the appeal, nor briefed on the
issues or consulted on its contents and therefore, it would be
inappropriate to transmit the appeal on behalf of the National
Government.
Nena stated he is troubled that the letter and the appeal were not
delivered to his office but instead to the FSM Office of the Attorney
General. The appropriate was is for the letter and the appeal to be
transmitted to the Office of the President who will then seek advice
and make decision on it.
While waiting for FEMA’s response for an extension of the date for
filing an appeal, his staff will use the time to evaluate the appeal
so that an informed decision can be made.
