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JCN Members Received a Nod

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): January 2000 - The Joint Committee for Compact Economic Negotiations (JCN) members received a nod of support when they briefed Pohnpeian traditional leaders Wednesday.

JCN members explained to the Nahnmwarkis and Nahkens of Pohnpei State that the first round of discussions, which commenced November 3 in Honolulu, were exploratory in nature, defining basic understandings and setting timetables and parameters.

The briefing to the Nahnmwarkis and Nahnkens, which was held in Pohnpeian at the Pohnpei State (governor's office), received approval from the islands traditional leaders, and complete support was given to committee members, said President Leo A. Falcam, who also attended the briefing.

The committee briefing is part of the JCN plan of keeping the nation as a whole briefed as to the progress being made with the Compact of Free Association negotiations with the United States, said Epel Ilon, JCN chairman, Thursday.

Also attending the briefing was chief negotiator Pohnpei Senator Peter Christian.

Pohnpei is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia in the mid-Pacific. The FSM and the Republic of the Marshall Islands are Free Association States with the United States. The economic portions of their Compact with the United States are due to expire in 2001.