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FSM Congressional Special Session to meet

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): January 2000 - The FSM Congress will begin meeting Monday in special session to consider budgetary items, corporation of the FSM post office and other items.

President Leo A. Falcam called for the special session, December 29, 1999, to begin January 24. The special session is expected to last until February 12, according to a news release from Congress.

Topics for consideration include a supplemental budget request, extension of the early retirement program to achieve national government staff reduction targets, legislation to corporate the FSM postal service, overtime payments to FSM quarantine employees, amendments to the budget bill to alleviate the administrative load on the President's Office and to give more flexibility and independence to the Public Auditor in conducting audits, legislation to address state CIP pr*ct requests, and conformation of nominees for College of Micronesia-FSM and Micronesian Marine Authority boards and other advice and consent positions, and other matters as Congress chooses to consider.

Corporation of the FSM Post Service is a main component of the public service reform plan, and the FY2000 budget only provides funding for three quarters. Legal authorization to incorporate is required, explained the President.

He further said, "These topics have been identified by this office as crucial. I believe that the new millennium will provide the impetus for a productive and efficient special session," said the President," who added that his staff will stand by to provide any information the Congress requires prior to or during the session.