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Australia's Ambassador Doran presents his credentials to FSM

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service): November 20, 2001 - On November 23 2001, Ambassador Brenan Doran presented his credentials to President Leo A. Falcam as Australia's Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Ambassador Doran has concurrent accreditations to the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

He succeeds Tim Cole who had been Australia's Ambassador in FSM since October 1998. Ten years prior to that, on July 06 1988, Australia had formally established diplomatic ties with the FSM and opened the Australian mission in Pohnpei the following year.

President Falcam welcomed the Ambassador and his wife Debra Chapman to the FSM and assured him of FSM's continuing desire to work closely with the Australia Government to advance the two nations "mutual interest and aspirations."

Since 1988, the ties have progressively strengthened throughout the years based on shared values and goals, which is further demonstrated at the bilateral and multilateral level through a range of joint and cooperative undertakings.

President Falcam extended a personal note of gratitude to the Ambassador's predecessors and their mission staff for their role in strengthening the overall "state of relations between the FSM and Australia."

Australia has assisted and made available to the FSM numerous forms of social and economic development assistance. Substantial assistance that President Falcam told Ambassador Doran, "FSM continues to be a proud recipient" as they contribute immensely to the nation's development efforts.

Over the years Australia has provided assistance to the FSM in the following areas: Maritime Surveillance, Education, Health and Economic Development and overnance sectors, to name a few.

The FSM will continue to look "towards Australia as a resourceful friend and regional partner for support and cooperation."

The President said the FSM and Australia have a relationship based on "interest and values which are closely linked [...]. constituting the thriving force behind our joint undertakings at all levels."

A relationship of mutual understanding and values, according to Ambassador Doran, with shared "democratic values and a Federal structure of Government and our people have a similar love of the sea and participatory sport." Through Australia's support and assistance, the FSM was able to participate in the 2000 Olympics.

The Ambassador said he will ensure "the momentum of bilateral relationship" is maintained. He said there is much both countries can learn from each other as they "face the challenges and opportunities of the new millennium." Given the current international security environment, Ambassador Doran expressed Australia's ability and willingness to assist the FSM with the upgrading of its border management system. He said he will work to advance both official and personal relationships of the two nations.

Ambassador Brendan Doran is a senior career officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia and has served in Australian overseas missions in Bangkok, Madrid and Tehran and as Australian ambassador to the Kingdom of Nepal (1996-99). He was the first director of the Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Darwin (1993-96), working closely with the Northern Territory government and the Australian business community in developing trade and investment links with the Asia-Pacific region.

In Canberra, the Ambassador has worked extensively on Southeast Asian, South Pacific and Antarctic/environmental matters. He was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal in 1992 and was serving with the Regional Peace Monitoring Group on Bouganville until his appointment to the FSM.

The Ambassador is a graduate in Arts from the University of Tasmania and has post-graduate qualifications in International Law from the Australia National University and Strategic Studies from the Australian Joint Services Staff College. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, UK (Chevening Scholarship) and at the Center for Resources and Environmental Studies at the ANU.

He is married to Debra Chapman, who is also an officer of the Department and they have adult children.

Witnesses to the ceremony were: President, FSM Chief Justice, Pohnpei Governor Johnny P. David, members of the FSM Congress, members of the Diplomatic Corps and members of the President's Cabinet.