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FSM Congress News, October 14, 2003

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): October 14, 2003 - Speaker Peter Christian called October 13, for a halt on domestic terrorism in the FSM and said that people of the FSM should join in with the United States, Australia and the Indonesian people in their fight on terrorism and to remember the sad events took place in New York on September 11, and in Bali on October 10. Saying the acts were done not only to those places and people, but to the places and people who welcome peace and harmony to their shores. The speaker was referring to the problems that take place in "our families" and communities. Christian also called on a closed-door meeting of the Members, the President and members of the JCN tomorrow, October 14, after the morning session.

During miscellaneous business, Senator Resio Moses inquired on the information of medicine sending to the island of Polap in Chuuk. He asked why wasn't he informed, as chairman of the Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs, which jurisdictions covers that area. He asked what has the FSM and Chuuk State governments done to help with the situation while Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have sent donated medicines to "our people" on that island.

Senator Jack Fritz stated his embarrassment of the situation on Polap in which Senator Moses alluded to. He said he as not heard of anything about it and will look into it. The senator also thanked the United States Congress for passing a continuing resolution providing to the FSM funding for one more month, while continue working on the amended compact and other programs. Senator Fritz extended appreciation to the governments of Australia, the People's Republic of China and Japan for their generous funding for improvement programs and other activities in the FSM throughout the years.

In the gallery and introduced for recognition where the ambassadors of Australia, United States and People's Republic of China and the Charge'de Affairs of Japan to the FSM along with a few members of the president's cabinet.

Vice Speaker Claude Phillip was appointed chairman of the committee to Wait On the President along with the chairmen of the state delegations as members.

The Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs will hold public hearing at 3:00 p.m. today and invites Members of Congress and interested individuals to attend. The committee will continue to look into the issues surrounding the College of Micronesia-FSM, which the committee earlier in the weeks traveled to the states for the same purpose.