Figir and Mackwelung inaugurated as governors of Yap and KosraePALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM

INFOREMATIOMN SERVICE) - In-augurations of Governors-elect, Lieu-tenant Governors-elect and members ofState Legislatures of Yap and KosraeStates in the Federated States ofMicronesia was held, January 9, 1995,in individual ceremonies scheduled inthe two States.

In Yap State, Governor-elect VincentFigir and Lieutenant Governor-electMathias Y. Kuor assumed the two top

State offices replacing two term Gover-nor Petrus Tun and Lieutenant Gover-nor Tony Tawerilmang.

In Kosrae, Governor-elect MosesMackwelung and Lieutenant Governor-elect Gerson Jackson were sworn-inreplacing the one term GovernorThurstonSibaandLieutenantGovemorLyndon Abraham.The newly elected Yap State Senators

inaugurated on the same day wereClement Malalap, Ted Rutun, Tony

Ganngiyan, Robert Ruecho', JamesMangefel and Stan Kensof, all repre-senting Yap Proper; and SabinoSauchmal , representing Satawal,Lemotrek and Elato Atolls; SantusWichimai, representing Ifalik, Europikand Fachailap; Aloysius Fong repre-senting Uli thi Atoll and MathewHaleyalu representing Woleai Atoll.

In Kosrae State, the Senators-electswho were inaugurated were Albert

(See IN A UGURA TION, Page 3)

THE NATIONAL UNIONPEACE • UNITY - LIBERTY

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PEOPLE OF FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

Volume 16 Palikir, Pohnpei, January 1995 Number 1

First FSM native becomes Chief Justice for FSM Supreme CourtPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-

MATION SERVICE) - FSM PresidentBailey Olter on January 27, 1995, in abrief ceremony at the Cabinet Room,administered the oath of office to AndonAmaraich as the first native Chief Jus-tice of the highest court of the FSMsince its inception in 1981, according toa release from the Supreme Court.

The President acknowledgedAmaraich's many accomplishments asa public servant, and discussed some ofthe goals articulated by the Chief Justiceto President Olter in the past. In addi-tion, the President discussed the re-sponsibilities of the Supreme Court andof the Chief Justice.

President Olter in his statement re-ferred to Chief Justice Amaraich's re-marks when he was sworn in as Asso-ciate Justice about two years ago inwhich Amaraich expressed his desire tomake increasing and better use of thecustomary disputeresolution processes.According to the President, the ChiefJustice places great emphasis on unity

of action, reconciliation and mediation.Additionally, Chief Justice Amaraichstressed the importance of cooperationbetween the S tate and National Govern-ments, and between the three branches

of the National Government, warningthat separation of power should not betaken to an extreme, to the detriment ofthe best interests of the people and gov-

(See AMARAICH, Page 3)

AMARAICH AS CHIEF JUSTICE - President Bailey Olter (right), administering theoath of office to Andon Amaraich (left) as Chief Justice of the FSM Supreme Court.Holding the bible is Mrs. A marich (center). The ceremony was held in the Cabinet Room,Jan. 27,1995.

Federated Development Authority met in PohnpeiPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-

MATION SERVICE) - The FederatedDevelopment Authority consisting ofthe President and the four state gover-nors of the FSM, held a special meetingin Pohnpei in December last year.

Mr. Shigeru Uemura, Board Chair-man of the Daiwa International CapitalManagement Company, gave a generaloverview of the money market in Japan.This company has been managing themoney we receive from fishing fees.

The FSM Development Bank thenbriefed PDA members on the status ofthe approved loan for MicronesianCanning Corporation Inc. (MCCI). ThePDA agreed with the recommendationfrom FSMDB that the approval of theloan be cancelled since the loan was notdocumented within 90 days of the for-mal notice of the approval. FSMDB

Compact funding for thePALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFORMA-

TION SERVICE) - FSM President Bai-ley Olter received word from FSM Em-bassy in Washington that the Office ofTerritorial and International Affairs(OTIA) of the U.S. Department of Inte-rior released the funds for Chuuk Stateunder Compact Section 221 (b). Thesefunds were temporarily withheld untilresolution of ChuukState'sdebttoGuamMemorial Hospital.

Word also was received from the FSMEmbassy in Washington, D.C., that it hadbeen informed by the Office of Territo-rial and International Affairs, Depart-ment of Interior, U.S. Go vernment, that itreleased$l,281,OOOtotheBanker'sTrust,October 27,1994, Pohnpei time and Oc-tober 26, 1994, Washington D.C. time.This amount represents the shares for theStates of Kosrae, Yap and Pohnpei.A delegation from the FSM, consisting

of Chuuk State and FSM National offi-cials, held meetings with Guam Memo-rial Hospital officials, in which Chuukmade a partial settlement and agreed tomake complete settlement of its debtearly next year.

Chuuk State's share of Compact Sec-tion 221(b), funds for health and educa-tion programs for Fiscal Year 1995, werewithheld because Chuuk State did notsettle its debts with Guam Memorial

was instructed to off icially inform MCCIof PDA's decision.

If the proposal isn' t reactivated by 30days of notification by the Bank, theloan proposal remains canceled and themoney goes back to the Pohnpei sub-account. If reactivated within the 30days, the loan proposal will be reevalu-ated and resubmittcd to PDA for ap-proval.

Kikuo Apis on behalf of ExtendedExport of Micronesia (EEM) explainedhis company's side to the PDA. PDAdecided to have the FSMDB and EEMwork together to eliminate questionedaspects of the proposal (equity contri-bution, salaries, prices and buildingcosts) as soon as possible.

PDA did not set a timetable for theBank and EEM Corporation to work outthe questioned aspects. PDA, however,

State of Chuuk ReleasedHospital among other creditors.

Other FSM states dealings and creditstandings with U.S. vendors were alsoadversely affected. With the debt settle-ment agreement, FSM's credibility wasrestored.

President Bailey Olter asked ChuukState Leadership to take all steps necesrsary to settle the state's referral debts atthe Guam Memorial Hospital to avoidthe possibility of the U.S. Governmentwithholding the Compact Section 221 (b)health and education block grants for theentire FSM.Oiler's Sept. 23, 1994, letter to Gover-

nor Gouland in response to Gouland'sSept. 20,1994, lettef, proposing that hisstate's debt at Guam Memorial Hospitalbe retired over a six-year period duringwhich Chuuk Government would payS150,000 per year, using its share of theCompact Section 216(a)(2) health andmedical programs, including funding forreferrals to hospitals and treatment cen-ters. Gouland also suggested immediatesubmission for a supplemental appro-priation specifically to pay for theou t s t and ing medical b i l l s fromGMHA. Chuuk ceased sending pa-tients to GMHA unt i l record recon-ciliations were completed. Anotheroption was to request help from theFSM Congress and ChuukLegislature.

did stress that the original proposal berevised/repackaged based on the recom-mendations of and to the satisfaction ofFSMDB as outlined in its August 2&5letters to EEM Corporation.

FSMDB explained to the PDA how EdSporl has managed the IDF funds since1990. The Bank's investmentofnon IDFfunds, which follow basically the sameguidelines as the IDF funds, has earnedan average return of 4.24 percent vs. the.51 percent that the IDF fund earnedduring the same period by Sporl and Co.The Bank's investments are managedinternally by their Chief Financial Offi-cer.

PDA approved the Bank's request todiscontinue the services of Sporl & Co.and allow the Bank to manage the IDFinvestment portfolio.

By law, the approved budget of theIDF Advisory Board, the FSMDB andPDA were taken from the income pro-duced by the Private Sector Fund. In FY1994, the approved budgets for all of theentities amounted toover$190,000. Sincemost of the Private Sector funds wereloaned out and all of the loans were inzero percent grace periods, there is notenough income to fund the approvedexpenses.

PDA directed the AG's Office to draftlegislation to amend the law to allowinterests from the State sub-accounts tobe used for the operation of the IDFexpenses.

Finance explained the need for an-other international investment managerto manage the Compact Funds. ThePDA was convinced of higher returnand lower risks by taking this additionalmanager and so approved.

The IDF loan status report high-lighted the payment status of each loanas well as summary status of the fiveIDF sub-accounts. It points out thatfour loans are to make scheduled pay-ments while eight more are scheduledto begin repayment in 1995.

The IDF project status report pro-vides a summary of the project history,projected benefits and the current sta-tus of the implementation of the project.Most of the projects are progressing ina satisfactory manner while a few areexperiencing some difficulty.

FSM Telecom outlined for the PDA,their plans for installing phones in theouter islands for about $15 million.

FSM insuranceplan creates publicconcern in Pohnpei

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) -TheFSMHealthInsurance Law, P.L. No. 8-53, createda public concern in Pohnpei State, saidstate Senator Herculano C. Kohler in aDecember 5, 1994, letter to FSMPresident Bailey Olter. "I have beenbombarded with concerns and com-plaints regarding the present NationalHealth Insurance Plan," Kohler said.

Kohler is the Chairman of the Com-mittee on Health and Social Services ofPohnpei Legislature.

Kohler asked the President to pro-pose an amendment which would ex-empt Pohnpeians from the program ordelete the mandatory provision of thelaw and make it optional. The law cur-rently makes it mandatory for all FSMGovernment employees to enroll in theprogram.

Kohler stated that some enrollees havebeen denied medical help from theprogram. They, therefore, felt that theirhealth needs could adequately be metwithout participating in the NationalHealth Insurance program. With theirlow salaries, they would live better withthe current three dollars hospital fee pervisit at Pohnpei Hospital.

Kohler stated that careful and thor-ough review of the issue prior to enact-ment of mandatory legislation wouldbe helpful.

Finally, Kohler recommended theDept. of Health Services under Secre-tary Eliuel Pretrick, administer the pro-gram and that the change take effect assoon as possible. The National HealthInsurance is now administered by theOffice of Administrative Services.

Congress in its last special session,passed a bill that re-defined the employ-ees' dependent allowing for a broaderdefinition, enabling more members ofan employee's family to be eligible forcoverage under the National Employ-ees' Health Insurance Plan. It alsomake the Plan optional for nationalgovernment employees rather thanmandatory.

MACKWELUNG SWORN-IN - MosesMackwelung (left) is being sworn-in asGovernor of Kosrae. Holding the Bibleduring the administration of oath is Mrs.Mackwelung (center). Administering theoath is Kosrae Chief Justice LyndonAbraham (right).

FIGIR HEADS YAP STATE - VincentFigir (center) is bieng administered theoath of office by Acting Chief JusticeConstantine Yinug (left), with CarolFalegong, Figir's wife holding the Bible.

Olter transmitted CairoAction Plan to Congress

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - FSM PresidentBailey Olter on Nov. 16, 1994, trans-mitted to Congress Speaker Jack Fritz,a copy of the Program of Action Docu-ment adopted, Sept. 13, 1994, at thefinal Plenary Session of the Interna-tional Conference on Population andDevelopment in Cairo, Egypt.

President Olter said that the Programof Action is for the next 15 years. TheFSM plans to ensure a solid foundationfor successful implementation withinthe FSM. In this connection, the ex-ecutive and legislative branches of theGovernment plan to combine their ef-forts in implementing the program.

Innauguration .....(Continuedfrom Page 1)Welly, Fred Skilling, Steve Sigrah,Tadasy Sigrah and William Tosie, rep-resenting Lelu Municipality; AkiyusiPalsis, James Palsis, Josiah Salmon andKiyus Jackson, representing TafunsakMunicipality; Hiteo Shrew, PalikkunM. Shrew and Simion J. Phillip, repre-senting Malem Municipality; andMadison T. Nena and Renster Andrew,representing Utwe Municipality.President Bailey Olter was represented

at the Yap Innauguration Ceremoniesby Deputy Secretary of the Departmentof External Affairs John Mangefel, andat Kosrae's Inaugurations Ceremoniesby Vice President Jacob Nena in re-sponse to invitations from the two States.

Amaraich(Continuedfrom Page 1)ernments. Among the important judi-cial responsibilities enumerated by thePresident in his speech was the harmo-nization of the application of the con-stitution and the national law with thecustomary, social, and geographicalcharacteristics of the Nation and theStates.

President Olter also noted that theChief Justice of the FSM has manyresponsibilities. As the top judicialofficer of the highest court in the nation,he is the chief administrator of the na-tional judicial system.

These duties are all in addition to hisrole as a justice of the Supreme Courtwho hears cases at both the trial andappellate levels.

In closing, President Olter stated thathe had no reservations that JusticeAmarich is "profoundly competent" tofill the position of Chief Justice. Thenewly confirmed Chief Justice took acharacteristically humble position,drawing an analogy to a story about Mr.Eisenhower. In the story, MrEisenhower asks a farmer how muchmilk a cow which the farmer is sellingwill be able to give in a year. The farmersays, "I don' t know that, but I know thatthis old cow will always give you allthat she has to give." The Chief Justice,in likening himself to that cow, praisedthe drafters of the oath of office whichstates, "I promise to do my best to carryout the duties of Chief Justice," andconcluded by saying, "Mr. President,like the old cow, this old man will giveall he has 'to the best of my abilities'like that old cow."

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San Francisco Opera Center to fund raise for PATS Olter supports proposedestablishement of National

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFORMA-TION SERVICE) - According to JudyCaldwell, for centuries opera has beenused to tell the stories of man's conflicts,with himself and his world. Throughpowerful music and emotional song thestories deal with life's eternal struggles,of love and hate, war and peace. Thestories are dramatic and are presentedgrandly on stages that create other placesand times, and they transport us throughmusic into our own hearts, for they singof all the universal and familiar feelingsof humankind. Although sung in manylanguages, the music of opera commu-nicates to its audience all the joys andpains of living that the characters depict.

On March 17, at 6:30 p.m., on thestage of PICS cafeteria, members of theSan Francisco Opera Center will presentfor Pohnpei an evening of such musicand song, appearing for their sixth yearin a benefit fund-raising performancefor PAT\S, Pohnpei Agriculture andTrade School. The San Francisco OperaCenter is committed to reaching out tothe Pacific and since 1987 has broughtits activities to more than ten Pacificnations. This year it sends performersfrom Japan, Mexico, South Africa, andthe United States on a Pacific Tour thatbrings opera to the islands of Pohnpei,Guam, and Saipan. They will sing inEnglish and the languages of Europe,songs of love, sorrow, tragedy and hope.Medleys of the American musical the-ater will include songs from West SideStory and Man From La Mancha. Musictruly provides a bridge between culturesthat does not need translation.

PATS has benefitted from the jour-ney these artists make each year, ashave organizations in Guam and Saipan.These fundraising performances havehelped PATS continue in its commit-ment to train young Micronesians in theareas of agriculture, construction, andmechanics, as well as academic skills.Just as opera represents many cultures,so too, do PATS students represent thevariety of island cultures in Micronesia,allowing growth and understandingthrough living and working together,learning each other's traditions, com-munity responsibility, and forging new

friendships. Graduates of PATS havetaken responsible roles in the life oftheir communities and will continue todo so in the future.

Tickets for the opera's performanceare $5 each and may be purchased inadvance or at PICS on the night of theshow. A Buffet Dinner at the VillageHotel is also planned to honor the per-formers after the show. Dinner ticketsare $25 each and must be purchased inadvance. All tickets are available at thePohnpei Public Library, the VillageHotel, and Village Travel. All moneyraised by these events will go directly toPATS due to the generous donation ofservices by Continental Micronesia,Good News Press, PICS, Pohnpei Utili-ties Corp., the Village Hotel, the SanFrancisco Opera Center, and all theindividuals who have volunteered theirtime and talents to make this eventpossible.

Experience the music and songs of LaBoheme, Carmen, Man From LaMancha and West Side Story, and more,during an exciting evening of operaperformed by members of the San Fran-cisco Opera Center.

Weather Office on GuamPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-

MATION SERVICE) - FSM PresidentBailey Olter expressed his appreciationand support for the proposed establish-ment of a National Weather ServiceOffice on Guam in a letter to Richard H.Hagemeyer, Director, Pacific Region,National Weather Service, dated Sep-tember 27, 1994.Olter said he was pleased to hear of the

proposed plan which will make it pos-sible to forecast weather conditions onGuam, which he expects will impact theeconomy of the FSM. In particular, itwill help movement of airplanes andboats which are the main transportationmeans among the islands.

Olter also expressed his satisfactionwith the weather service performanceof the stations in Pohnpei, Chuuk, andYap which he expects to work closelywith the new forecast office.Reliable weather information for Con-

tinental Micronesia Airlines flights inthe FSM is being obtained from theUnited States mainland said a staffmember of the FSM Dept. of Trans-portation and Communications.

AUSTRALIAN DAY CELEBRATED IN POHNPEI - The Australian Day was cel-ebrated, January 26, 1995, with officials, traditional leaders, and friends at the newlycompleted A ustralian A mbassador's residence in Pohnpei. A bo ve is President Baily Olter(left) with Ambassador Peter Stanford (right), and a State Police Officer in the backduring the celebration.

Farmers'Home Adm. changed to Rural Economic & Community Dev.PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFORMA-TION SERVICE) - The U.S. FarmersHome Administration now has a newname. It is now called Rural Economicand Community Development (RECD).This is a result of a reorganization in theU.S. Department of Agriculture autho-rized by U.S. law which the S ecretary ofthe Department, Mike Espy, orderedimplemented last month, according to anews release from the Area Supervisor,Shelten Neth.The purpose of the reorganization is to

provide better and more efficient ser-vices to its clients and at the same timereduce the current number of agenciesin the Department.

It is expected that over the next fiveyears, this change will save a total of$3.6 billion by the elimination of 14separate USDA agencies and a reduc-tion of up to nearly 11,000 positionsnation-wide, said Francis J. Blanco,Acting Rural Economic and Commu-nity State Director in Hilo, Hawaii.

Blanco also said that the new RECDwill make available the farm lending,rural housing, water and waste disposal,community facility and business andindustry programs formerly adminis-tered by Farmers Home Administration(FMHA) and the Rural DevelopmentAdministration (RDA). The farm loanprograms will eventually become partof a new Farm Service Agency to becreated under the reorganization.Meanwhile, services will still be avail-

able from the existing Farmers HomeAdministration. Further informationregarding these changes will be publi-cized as it becomes available, accord-ing to Neth.

In another related activity, access tothe Farmers Home Administrat ion(FmHA) National Computer Center inKansas City was successfully imple-mented in the Pohnpei Area Office dur-ing the period September 19 to 30,1994,according to FmHA Hawaii State Di-rector Francis Blanco.Before implementation, all loan trans-

actions were forwarded to the GuamDistrict Office for computer input intothe National Computer Center. Withcommunications capability now opera-tional, all transactions relating to loansand grants, except for a few transactions

limited to District Office use only, cannow be processed by the Pohnpei AreaOffice directly into the National Com-puter Center. This means that PohnpeiOffice can now provide better service toFarmer's Home Administration's bor-rowers by timely processing of loantransactions as well as providing up-to-date status on borrowers' accounts, ac-cording to Mona J. Tara, Area OfficeAssistant.Lilian Andrada, Information ResourcesManager, Hawaii State Office, hastrained the staff on various loan transac-tions, status inquiry, delinquencymonitoring and electronic mail.

The FmHA Management commendsthe Pohnpei staff for their dedication,their sacrifice by attending training ses-sions that started at 6:00 a.m. due totime difference between Pohnpei andHawaii, and their learning enthusiasm.

The Farmers Home Administrationexpressed its special gratitude to theFSM TelecommunicationsCorporation's Plant & EngineeringManager, Kevin Mulholland, and to theFSM Finance Department's ComputerTechnical Advisor, BernardMendis, fortheir assistance in the initial set up of theequipment and successful conclusionof the program.

BOH DONA TES TO FSM GAMES - The Bank of Ha wait donated the first check to theFSM Games in February 1995. The FSM Games will be held in July this year. Acceptingthe check is the President of the FSM A mateur Sports Association, Secretary Dr. EliuelPretrick (left). Presenting the check is the BOH Assistant Vice President and ManagerChristina Michelsen. Accompanying Pretrick to the presentation was James Tobin(missing from the photo) who is the FSM and the Association's Sports Administrator.

Nenafrom Kosrae radio participated in theIntern Development Program in Hawaii

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - Tolena Nenafrom Kosrae and Katalina Uili fromTonga were Hawaii Public Radio'sthird and fourth participants in an ongo-ing Intern Development Program spon-sored by the Pacific Islands Develop-ment Program at the East-West Centerand the Pacific Islands BroadcastingAssociation and Hawaii Public Radio,according to a May-June 1994 issue ofPacific News from Manoa.

Tolena, from Kosrae in the FSM, is aradio news producer from the KosraeBroadcasting Authority.

A native of Vava'u, Tonga, Uili hasbeen with the Tonga BroadcastingCommission's newsroom for sevenyears, writing news stories in both En-glish and Tongan. She is also the host oftwo 30-minute news magazine programsand delivers both Tongan and overseasnews.The interns work at the Hawaii Public

Radio news department for four months.One of the goals of the Program is toprovide comprehensive daily newscoverage of the Pacific for Hawaii andthe Pacific program, broadcast on allHawaii's Public Radio stations.

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Olter requests overtimefunds from Congress

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - President Bai-ley Olter transmitted to Congress legis-lation to fund the overtime accrued bythe National Police and the Division ofImmigration of the FSM Governmentduring fiscal yearending September 30,1994. Neither the National Police northe Immigration Division have funds tocover the overtime nor can the overti mebe avoided.President Olter said most of the over-

time is attributable to the large increasein 1994 in the number of foreign fishingvesselsand aircraft flights resulting fromincreased tuna fishing activities.

Cook wants closerrelations with the FSM

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - FSM PresidentBailey Olter received from Prime Min-ister Sir Geoffery Henry of the CookIslands a letter indicating his county'sdesire for a closer relationship betweenthe two countries.

Sir Henry said his Foreign Ministerwill be writing to the FSM Secretary ofExternal Affairs to formalize the stepsnecessary for accreditation of Cook Is-lands High Commissioner in Canberrato the FSM.

Prime Minister Henry concluded hisletter by invitingPresidentOlter's viewson ways in which both the FSM and theCook Islands may contribute to greaterRegional and Bilateral cooperation.

Chuuk requests Olter to ap-prove MMIC permit

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - Chuuk's Houseof Rep. adopted on Nov. 3,1994,duringits 1st Special Session, 2nd Legislature,Resolution No. 02-94-HR-14, request-ing President Bailey Olter to approvethe Foreign Investment Permit appli-cation by Micronesian Marine Indus-tries Corporation (MMIC).In justifying its support, the resolution

says 20 percentof MMIC stock is ownedby FSM citizens; that MMIC in its pro-posed joint venture with Katau Corp. inChuuk, with 77 boats, will yield anestimated revenue of over $200,000 permonth to Chuuk Fresh Tuna, Incorpo-rated (CFTI).President Olter has requested relevant

offices in the FSM National Govern-ment to review the resolution and makerecommendations on the course of ac-tion to be taken.

Japan Red Cross visitsPohnpei in November ona fact finding mission

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - A delegation often members from the Japanese RedCross Society arrived Pohnpei in No-vember this year, on a fact-finding mis-sion to the FSM, according to the De-partment of External Affairs.The delegation was comprised of offi-

cials from Kanagawa Prefecture as theKanagawa Prefecture Red Cross Chap-ter in Japan has expressed keen interestin issues relating to Red Cross and itspotential assistance to the FSM.Pending before Congress for its ratifi-

cation is the FSM's proposal to gainmembership in the International RedCross Society. Congress has not taken adecision on the matter. The Red CrossSociety and its various Chapters respondto emergencies and disasters sufferedby a country or a people by providingrelief and volunteers to provide healthand safety services.

Heading the Delegation was DirectorGeneral of Kanagawa Chapter,Yukitsuka Kobayashi, accompanied bySub-LeadersYoshmitsuYamamotoandKasuo Konno; Recorders KasuoKomiyama and Yuji Yokoyama; PublicRelations officer Takami Yanagihara;Interpreter Ms. Yuko Kusamichi; Ac-countant Mamoru Ishida; Nurse KayokoSeki and Secretary Kazuhiko Fujii.The Delegation paid a courtesy call on

President Olter and in preparation fortheir visit, a staff member of the FSMEmbassy in Japan arrived Pohnpei ear-lier to work with the Department's staff.

George authorized to sign UNConvention on DesertificationPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFORMA-TION SERVICE) - President BaileyOlter has informed the United NationsSecretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Gahli, that the FSM Permanent Ambas-sador to the United Nations, YosiwoGeorge, has been granted the authorityto sign the UN Convention on Deserti-fication, on behalf the FSM Gov't.

The Convention on Desertificationintends to combat desertification in thosecountries, particularly in Africa, expe-riencing serious drought causing largeland areas to become barren andunfertile.The Convention was opened for signa-

ture in Paris, France, on October 13,1944, and remains open for signature inNew York to October 13, 1995.

Palikir water systemPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-

MATION SERVICE) - President Bai-ley Olter has approved a proposal toexpand distribution of water by autho-rizing more house hook-ups to thePalikirwater system in the neighboring com-munities as proposed by the Office ofPlanning and Statistics.

Special Assistant to the President forNational Planning, Del Pangelinan.in aletter, told the President there is a suffi-cient supply of water for communitiesin Tomwara, Dolon, Nanmal, Ironkodi,and in the Capital's neighborhood.Completion of the system's rehabilita-

tion is expected in March 1995 and willprovide a surplus of water for COM-FSM, which can also be shared with theadjoining communities of more than1200 persons.

SPF donates pharmaceutical drugs to FSMPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-

MATION SERVICE) - A donation ofpharmaceutical drugs has been receivedby the FSM Dept. of Health Servicesfrom the Sasakawa Peace Foundationof Japan. The Department is respon-sible for determining how they'll bedistributed to the four states, accordingto the FSM Embassy in Japan.The cargo was transported to Pohnpei

on a Ting Hong flight specially charteredby the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, aTokyo-based charitable organization. Ithas extended to the FSM in the past

other assistance programs such as di-saster relief and scholarships.

Last year, the Foundation decided toinaugurate an "Essential Drugs Project"to assist countries with serious short-ages of basic medical supplies andmedicine. Through interactionsbetweenofficials of the FSM Embassy and theFoundation, FSM was chosen as one ofthe 15 countries to receive the assistancethis year.

The donation to the FSM is worth 55million Japanese Yen or, more than halfa million in US dollars.

Olter approves AG'srequest to establishrep. offices in the state

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - President Bai-ley Olter approved on October 14,1994,a request from the FSM Attorney Gen-eral to establish representative officesof the FSM National Police in each ofthe four FSM States to enforce nationallaws against criminal acts committed ineach state. The request was made in aletter to the President dated Oct. 5,1994.

Attorney General Camillo Noket injustifying his request said that the cre-ation of the FSM National Police inJune of 1993 by Presidential Order No.1, was to enforce fisheries laws, theControlled Substance Act, the Weap-ons Control Act, and all other lawswithin the national jurisdiction. Hebelieves this pupose can be meaning-fully accomplished by placing an en-forcement arm of the FSM NationalGovernment in each of the States.

In the past, there were few criminalactivities in these areas. But todaycriminal activities associated with fish-ing industries, drug trafficking, and fi-nancial crimes are on the increase andbeginning to show adverse effects onlives in the FSM. Only through properpreparation and swift handling of suchproblems can we keep such crimes fromescalating to an uncontrollable level,Noket said.

Decentralization of the law enforce-ment efforts of the FSM can ensurecompliance with the FSM laws. Thiscan be achieved by placing one or twoNational Police officers in each State,depending on the level of criminal ac-tivity in each state. The Atorney Gen-eral would like all four offices to beopened simultaneously.

The lack of effective enforcement ofthese statutes in Yap State has contrib-uted to the rise in drug trafficking andfire arms smuggling in that state. Moni-toring the flow of contraband can beenhanced by implementation of the At-torney General's proposal. Investiga-tions of vessel related criminal activi-ties can also be performed by such Na-tional Police Officers. Urgent need isshown in Yap State.

Olter urged FSM A SA to finalize FSM Games plans ?PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-

MATION SERVICE) - President Bai-ley Olter urged the FSM AmatcurSportsAssociation during it January 25thmeeting to get on with the task of fi-nalizing the plans for the FSM Gamesscheduled for July 9 to 21, 1995, inPohnpei, so that the four FSM Stateswill have ample time to prepare for theirfull participation.President Olter spoke at the opening of

the Association's meeting at the CentralBuilding in Palikir. He acknowledgedthat time for preparation is getting shortbut said, "...with dedication and hardworking members of this organizingcommittee, all of us can achieve whatseems to be an impossible task. So let usmake history by organizing and imple-menting our first ever FSM Games."

President Olter concluded by urgingthe Committee to base its decisions onFSM National Unity.Dr. Eliuel K. Pretrick, the President of

the Association who gave opening re-marks, said the youth of FSM must getinvolved in all sports activities in orderto foster unity and development in FSM.He urged the State representatives toensure their readiness for the Games.'The Organizing Committee during the

meeting reviewed and finalized the listsof games to be played and the opening

and closing ceremonies for the Games,among other things.The games to be played during the 10

day meet arc as follows: track andfield;outrigger canoe racing; swimming formen and women; baseball for men; fast-pitch softball for men; slow-pitchwomen's softball; lawn tennis for menand women; table tennis for men andwomen; volleyball and basketball formen and women; spear fishing; andmicro-all around weight lifting for men.Each athlete must now begin practic-

ing if he wants to participate in theGames. This, too, is true for the teams.

Pohnpei Governor's Special Coordi-nation Committee Chairman, YasuoYamada, reported that Pohnpei willwelcome the FSM Games as planned.He further offered assistance needed.

Those attending the meeting besidesSecretary Pretrick were Jim Tobin,FSMGames Sports Administrator; SosiroYamamura, FSM Games Staff; PohnpeiRepresentative Shelten Neth; MakerPalsis and William Palik from Kosrae;Senator Theodore Rutun from Yap;Aurelio Sauder from Chuuk and TadaoSigrah, Joses Gallen, James Mormad,and Mohner Esiel representing theNational Government.

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FSMASA MEETING - President Bailey Olter addressing the FSM Amateur SportsAssociation during their meeting held at the Central Building in Palikir. Left to right areFSMASA President Dr. Eliuel Pretrick, FSM President Olter, and FSM Sports Admin-istrator James Tobin.

Postal Service issues stamps commemorating FSM leaders

Johnny Moses Anton Ring Buas Belarmino Hatheylul Paliknoa Sigrah

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFOR-MATION SERVICE) - The Postal Ser-vice issued and released a second set ofstamps commemorating Micronesianleaders in a stamp issue series called,Local Leaders of Micronesia.

This distinctive set of four stampshonors four of FSM's very ownprominent sons, whose immense con-tributions as public servants and privatecitizens have been felt throughout thecountry, according to a release from theFSM Postal Service.

The stamps in frame were presentedto Vice President Jacob Nena and thefamilies of those on the stamps on De-cember 27, 1994, in a brief ceremonyheld in the President's Cabinet Room.The Presentation of the stamp issue tothe Vice President was made by Post-master General Bethwel Henry and theVice President presented those to fami-lies and relatives.

The ceremony was concluded withthe Vice President, Acting Chief Justiceand Postmaster General signing the in-dividual programs which have the is-

sues of stamps carrying the FSM lead-ers.

The FSM is a modern, thriving nationlargely because of the wise guidance ofits farsighted leaders. To honor thesewise and resourceful leaders, the FSMfeatures in this year's local leaders, is-sue these leaders who have passed fromour midst: (l)Pohnpei'sNahnmawarkiJohnny Moses. Johnny Moses servedmany years as the paramount traditionalleader of U Municipality. He was amember of the Pohnpei State Constitu-tional Convention and was a vital part inthe unification of Micronesia as well as,giving important help to the newlyelected leaders of the National and StateConstitutional Governments. (2) Yap'sChief Belarmino Hatheylul. He wasone of Micronesia's founding fathers,serving asadelegateat the Micronesia'sConstitutional Convention. A championof traditional customs, Chief Hatheylulbelieved in the unity of Micronesia. (3)Anton Ring Buas of Chuuk. He wasChuuk' s first District Judge and handledmany difficult land cases. He also prac-

ticed local medicine and was creditedwith saving many lives. (4) PaliknoaSigrah of Kosrae. He was known asKing John. He was instrumental inestablishing Kosrae democratic gov-ernment and democratic way of life.The last king of Kosrae, he was also arespected religious leader.

Our first set of stamps commemorat-ing local leaders of Micronesia was issuedon Sept. 16, 1993, when FSM honoredAmbilos lehsi of Pohnpei, AndrewRoboman of Yap, Petrus Mailo of Chuuk,and Joab N. Sigrah of Kosrae. The firstMicronesian who appeared on our stampswas thelatelspahuofMadolenhimw SamuelHadley, who was depicted on the PATSstamp issued July 31,1990, with the latefather Costigan.

The set of stamps commemoratingMicronesian leaders, is available at all postoffices throughouttheFSMandat the Phila-telic Bureau in Kolonia, Pohnpei beginningDec. 27,1994. Thepracticeforcommemo-rau've stamp issues, is that the stamps areavailable for a limited period of 12 to 18months and then will be withdrawn.

THE NATIONAL UNIONPublished by: The Office of the President/InformationFEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIAP.O. Box 34, PALIKIR STATIONPALIKIR, POHNPEI FM 96941

The National Union is being proof read by the Business Support Agency in Pohnpei