 FSM Congress News, December 1, 2003PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): December 1, 2003 - Speaker Peter Christian is currently heading a Delegation from the FSM Congress to attend the 70th APPU Council Meeting and the 36th General Assembly. Both conferences will be held at the Hotel New Otani, Tokyo, Japan, from December 2 to 4, 2003. Accompanying Speaker Christian are Senator Isaac V. Figir, Chairman of the Committee on External Affairs, Senator Dohsis Halbert, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, Senator Alik Alik, Chairman of the Committee on Resources and Development and Senator Roosevelt Kansou, Vice Chairman of the Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary and Governmental Operations. Mrs. Liwiana Ramon Ioanis, Chief Clerk of the Congress is also traveling with the delegation to provide staff support. The APPU meets annually to discuss issues of mutual interests in the region. The issues usually discussed included economic development, trade, security and the environment. The speaker and his delegation will be returning to the FSM on December 5, 2003. Senator Resio S. Moses has been invited to attend a meeting of the Reflection Group of the Pacific Islands Forum in late January of 2004 in Wellington, New Zealand. The purpose of the meeting is to review and determine "a refreshed mandate and vision for the Pacific Islands Forum and improved capacity within the Forum that allows it to provide leadership to the region on regional cooperation and integration, and that closely reflects the aspirations and needs of the Forum memberships." Vice Speaker Claude H. Phillip is now at the central office to make sure the operation of the Congress continues to run smoothly and efficiently. |