 Micronesian Legislative Council (MLC) met in PohnpeiKolonia, POHNPEI (FSM Congress): July 18, 2006 - The Micronesian Legislative Council (MLC) recently met in Pohnpei to discuss the pressing issues of: rising fuel costs and air transportation links. Information shared by the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia noted the Council's agenda as follows: Speakers and Members from the FSM states and the National Congress concluded meetings last week at the Pohnpei Legislature Chamber focusing on two topics of growing urgency for the nation - rising fuel costs and the need for greater air transportation links. For the first time, the MLC adopted resolutions reflecting the outcome of its discussions. The first endorses the work of the Fuel Task Force and calls for its Resolution No. 14-71 calling for the recall of the FSM Ambassador to the United States. Copies of these resolutions were transmitted to the President, Governors and legislative bodies throughout the FSM. During its discussion on fuel issues, the group was briefed by Vice President Redley Killion on the work of the FSM Fuel Task Force established to negotiate fuel agreements with Mobil Oil Micronesia and to investigate other energy-related matters, such as steps to increase the energy self-sufficiency of the FSM. In the end, fuel dominated the two days of discussion. Given the relatively short time available to MLC participants, it was decided that aviation issues would be discussed at greater length at the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for fall 2006. This meeting of the MLC, its fifth, was hosted by the Pohnpei State Legislature. Vice-Speaker of the Legislature, Berney Martin, was elected chair of the meeting. The Yap Speaker, Tony Ganngiyan, was regrettably unable to attend this session due to an illness in his family. The next meeting of the MLC will be held within the next three months, as circumstances warrant, at a venue to be determined. |