Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Congress delays maritime surveillance fund to assist neighbors

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 31, 2011 - The Sixteenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia has appropriated the sum of 180,000 from the General Fund to assist with relief efforts for the recent natural disasters in the neighboring countries of Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

On Day Nine of the Sixth Special Session, Congress passed Congressional Bill (C.B.) 16-181 to channel through the Micronesian Red Cross Society the FSM's contribution to international relief efforts underway to assist the affected countries.

The FSM's contribution was enabled through C.B. 16-187, which delayed the deposit of appropriations and revenues received for the Maritime Surveillance Revolving Fund to October 1 2011.

Public Law 16-66 established the Fund to provide reliable funding for fuel for the patrol and surveillance boats of the FSM National Government. The boats are the FSM's only means to patrol its Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 900,000 square miles, the second largest in the Western and Central Pacific region.

In view of the natural disasters that recently besieged the region, Congress delayed implementation of any deposits towards the Maritime Surveillance Revolving Fund so that the FSM can assist its neighboring countries.

Congress adopted three Congressional Resolutions to parallel the Congressional Bill for the assistance from the nation and the resolutions were:

Congressional Resolution 16-163, expressed sincere sadness and condolences of the FSM Congress to the people of Japan for the suffering and destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011;

C.R. 16-169, expressed condolences of the FSM Congress to the people of Australia for the loss of life and destruction of property caused by the recent floods in their country; and

C.R. 16-170, expressed condolences of the FSM Congress to the people of New Zealand for the loss of life and destruction of property caused by the recent earthquake in Christchurch.

The congressional measures have been transmitted to the President for proper action and for appropriate diplomatic channels.