KOLONIA, Pohnpei (The Kaselehlie Press): May 30-June 12, 2002 - As part of the Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) effort to expand its programs and services to community-based organizations throughout the FSM, Resident Representative Hiroshi Saito, met with the Mayor of Pingelap, Perdin Samson, Pingelap Chief Representative Daniel Isaac and Mwoakilloa Chief Representative Murphy Lipai.

The purpose of the recent meeting was to acquaint the Resident Representatives of the specific needs and problems of these two islands and to determine how JICA might be able to effectively respond to such needs or problems in the future.

Because small aircraft can now fly to these two islands on short notice, Mr. Saito would like to explore the possibility of extending specific cooperation assistance that would be most suited for island communities from its variety of technical cooperation and grant aid projects.

Mr. Saito said that once smaller type aircraft can land on other remote islands, he would like to discuss the possibility of assistance for them as well.

Mr. Saito explained that JICA has been implementing specific projects on Ulithi and Rumung islands in Yap State and he would like to also include other FSM outer islands in the near future.

He told the mayors and their representatives, he would like to visit Pingelap and Mwoakilloa islands soon to see for himself what these islands are like and to further discuss how JICA might be able to offer assistance in the future.