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President transmits remaining Cabinet line-up

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): August 5, 2003 - President Joseph J. Urusemal has transmitted his second set of Cabinet nominations for confirmation by the Thirteenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Cabinet line-up has several new names for the top posts in the nations government.

Nominated for Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is Nick L. Andon - from Chuuk State, whose experiences range from the Trust Territory era to the various sectors in Chuuk States Department of Finance and his current position as the State Manager for the FSM Telecommunications Corporations Chuuk Station.

Dr. Jefferson B. Benjamin - from Kosrae State, has been nominated for Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Social Affairs. Prior to his nomination, Dr. Benjamin had since 2000, served the Department as the Assistant Secretary for Health. His spectrum of experiences covers the various Health sectors in the Department.

The nomination for Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs is Patrick Mackenzie, from Chuuk State. Since 1998, Mackenzie has served the Department as the Deputy Secretary. His experiences began during the Trust Territory era on through the Micronesian Transition to independence and continued his services with the FSM national Government with experiences at the Supreme Court, the Department of Finance and Administration to his current post.

Sebastian L. Anefal, of Yap State, formerly the head of the Department of Economic Affairs, has been nominated as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Anefals background is a cornucopia of experience in issues of state, national, regional and international magnitude. His experiences also covers the various sectors of the government, ranging from Education to Resources and Development, Public Affairs and on to the State Finance Department.

Lorin S. Robert of Chuuk State, the current Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, has been nominated to maintain the same post in the Department. Robert has over 20-years of experience in the national government servicing the diplomatic interest of the nation on the local, state, national, regional and international platforms.

President Urusemals letter to Speaker Peter M. Christian emphasizes his confidence in each of the nominations by stating, each of them will meet the challenges of the offices to which he is appointed and discharges the same with the expected efficiency, dignity and honor.

The nominations now await the next Special Session of the FSM Congress which is being called to convene on August 25, 2003.