The Acting President of the Federated States of Micronesia, His Excellency Jacob Nena, has sent a congratulatory message to the new President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency Kinza Clodumar, on the latter's recent election to his high office. In the message, Acting President Nena assured President Clodumar of the FSM's continued friendship and support in promoting the two countries' bilateral relations as well as their regional multilateral undertakings.

The Department is expecting a visit by Dr. Julie Delforce, the Economic Adviser in the Development and Economic Policy Division at the Forum Secretariat, February 23-26, 1997. Dr. Delforce will discuss with government officials public sector reform and economic policy issues in preparation for the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting scheduled to take place in July this year, in Cairns, Australia.

The FSM Government has confirmed with SPREP its commitment to host the Sixth South Pacific Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from September 20 to October 7, 1997, by informing SPREP's Biodiversity Officer, Ms. Sue Miller, of the venue (Pwohmaria Resort and Congress facilities) as well as the dates of the Conference. Internal preparation by the government is expected to commence soon to mobilize resources required for the Conference.

The FSM Government has requested consultancy services from SPC in the upcoming Fourth FSM Women's Conference and Post Conference slated to held in Yap State, June 22-29, 1997. Topics of the conference include, Women's Fisheries Development Project/Improvement in Living Conditions (food processing and packaging); Rural Technology/Agriculture (Coconut products and other by-products like cosmetics, charcoal, arts and crafts; Gender Awareness and Training for National Focal Points and Trainers.

The Department has received information on the convening of the Third World Congress on Cancer in Darwin, Australia, April 25-27, 1997, to which the FSM is invited to submit names of interested persons wishing to attend. The Congress is aimed for doctors, medical researchers and organizations and companies in the field of medical supplies and research.

The FSM Government has been invited to attend the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WRC-97 Preparatory Seminar in Port Dickson, Malaysia, March 4-27, 1997. The deadline for submission of nominations was February 15, 1997. Interested persons were asked to communicate directly with ABU.

The FSM Government has reported to the Government of New Zealand on the use of a grant in the aggregate amount of $16,629.80 by the New Zealand Official Development Assistance. The funding was awarded to the National Women's Interest program for purchase of xerox/copier machines to be used by the FSM Women's Programs/Associations in the four states. This effort is part of an overall aim by the National Women's Development Program in the FSM to establish a Data/Information System serving the needs of women.

The Department has nominated Mr. Carlson Apis, a Foreign Service Officer at the Department, to the Graduate Diploma of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Monash University in Australia. Mr. Apis commenced his course program on February 6th and will end on December 31, 1997.

The FSM Government has been invited by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to attend the Symposium to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ESCAP, March 18-20, 1997, in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. The Honorable Epel K. Ilon, Deputy Secretary of External Affairs, will represent the FSM.

The signing of the Exchange of Notes between the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia and Japan for the Inter-Island Vessel Project took place on February 12, 1997 with the Honorable Secretary Asterio R. Takesy signing on behalf of the FSM and Mr. Kiyoshi Nishigawa, Charge d'Affaires of the Japan Embassy, signing on behalf of Japan. Present at the Signing Ceremony were the Honorable Sebastian Anefal, Secretary of Resources and Development, the Honorable Lukner Weilbacher, Secretary of Transportation and Communications, Mr. Bernard Thoulag, Executive Director of MMA, representative of the Japanese community in Pohnpei and other FSM Officials.

The FSM Embassy in Washington D.C. provided information to a company, S.G. Giuseppe Fish Company, Inc., which is interested in names of fishing companies and fishery officials for possible business venture.

The FSM Embassy in Washington, D.C. has been working closely with the U.S. Government and the Houston Institute of Rehabilitation on the return of President Bailey Olter back to Pohnpei. The President has been undergoing treatment at the facility in Houston after his initial referral to the Straub Hospital after suffering a massive stroke last July. The President is expected to return to Pohnpei after the treatment has been completed.

Better utilization of the Internet System has recently been discussed between the FSM Embassy in Washington, D.C. and a company named Microstate Limited. It is hoped that these exploratory discussions will lead to better service as well as cheaper use of the Internet.

Assistance in funding a survey of FSM citizens residing in the State of Hawaii has been requested from the U.S. Department of the Interior by the FSM Embassy in Washington D.C.. Similar surveys are envisioned for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

DCM/Minister Tadao P. Sigrah and Minister Counsellor Mathias Maradol of the FSM Permanent Mission to the United Nations, were accredited to represent the FSM in the 10th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Desertification at the U.N. Headquarters. Minister Counsellor Maradol also participated in the meeting of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to review regional preparations for the Special Session of the UNGA on Agenda 21.

The FSM Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency Alik L. Alik, attended the official opening of the South Pacific Commission's Open Day on February 7, 1997 at the SPC Headquarters in Nabua, Fiji. This is part of the SPC 50th Anniversary Celebration aimed to educate the public of what the SPC is and does.

The FSM Embassy in Suva will represent the FSM in the meeting of members of the Council of Pacific Arts, scheduled to take place at the SPC Headquarters in Noumea, March 3-7, 1997. Included in the meeting agenda will be the establishment of an Executive Board responsible for defining a regional cultural policy.