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President Mori meets with the American Jewish Committee at the margins of the 66^th United Nations General Assembly

New York (FSM Permanent Mission to the United Nations): September 20, 2011 - President Emanuel Manny Mori arrived in New York on Monday, September 19, 2011, to join other world leaders in the High-level meetings and General Debate of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The UNGA plenary session opened on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

President Mori began his busy schedule in New York by meeting with officers of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a global Jewish advocacy group for the State of Israel. The annual meeting of the AJC on the margins of the UNGA, which has become a tradition for the AJC and the FSM delegation to the UNGA, reflects the FSM policy of supporting the State of Israel and the triangular relationship between the FSM, United States, and Israel. The purpose of the annual gathering is to consult with the AJC on issues of common concerns and to review and further strengthen the ties between FSM and Israel.

At the meeting, President Mori expressed appreciation for AJC's support for the Federated States of Micronesia especially in the areas of humanitarian and medical assistance over the past several years. He also thanked the group for its role in facilitating the provision of dialysis machines from the State of Israel that are now placed at the Chuuk State Hospital.

Heading the AJC delegation at the meeting was Ambassador Peter Rosenblatt, who once served as President Carter's Ambassador to the Negotiations on the Future Political Status of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. He expressed sincere appreciation for FSM's steadfast support of Israel especially in the UN fora. Ambassador Rosenblatt further expressed AJC's commitment to continue advocating issues for the Freely Associated States with the United States, both in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill.

Both sides assured each other of the need to continue collaboration on issues of mutual concerns including those relating to the FSM's relationship with the US under the Compact as amended.

Israel was among the first few foreign governments, beside the United States and the Marshall Islands that extended friendship and diplomatic recognition to the FSM. The establishment of foreign relations took place at a time when it was hard for the FSM to find friends and gain diplomatic recognition. The affinity between the Israeli and Micronesia people are further strengthened by their shared Judeo-Christian traditions and values.

Accompanying President Mori for the meeting were the Honorable Lorin S. Robert, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jeem Lippwe, Charge d' affairs ad interim of the FSM Permanent Mission in New York, Mr. James Naich, Charge d' affairs ad interim from the FSM Embassy in D.C., and Mr. Jackson Soram, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Palikir.