Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Nena Requested FEMA Extension of Appeal

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): August 25, 1997
– President Jacob Nena, on August 6, 1997, requested for an extension
of the time allowed for the FSM Government to appeal the denial by
U.S. President William Clinton on the request by the State of Pohnpei
for the President of the United States of America to delcare Pohnpei
State a major disaster area as results of damages sustained by
Tropical Storms Isa and Jimmy and the land slides that took the lives
of families in Oumor and Iohl villages in Sokehs Municipality earlier
this year.

Nena asked for a 30-day extension of the time allowed to appeal
the denial of a request for President William Clinton to declare
Pohnpei a major disaster area. Citing a lack of coordination between
Pohnpei and the FSM National Government in the preparation of the
appeal documents as reason for requesting for an extension of appeal
period.

Nena stated that the FSM Government and Pohnpei State Government
both need ample time to coordinate and hold consultations on the
appeal process and the allowed time frame was inadequate.

On July 7, 1997, the FSM decided to appeal the denial of the
request made on April 21, 1997, for declaration of Pohnpei as (a)
major disaster area.

In his letter to Pohnpei Governor Del S. Panelinan, the President
explained the reason for his actions and called for a cooperative
effort on the matter while waiting for FEMA’s response.