---

US high-level delegation visits FSM

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM INFORMATION SERVICE): January 14, 2004 - Secretary Gale Norton of the United States Department of Interior and a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) headed by Chairman Richard Pombo are scheduled to arrive Pohnpei this afternoon.

The United States House of Representative Pombo of California, chairs the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Other US Congress members accompanying Chairman Pombo include: Rep. Eni Faleomavaega from American Samoa, Rep. Frank Lucas from Oklahoma, Rep. Jeff Flake from Arizona, Rep. Dennis Rehberg from Montana, Rep. Dennis Cardoza from California, Rep. Madeleine Bordallo of Guam and several Congressional staff.

The CODEL is also accompanied by officials from the US Department of Interior which along with Secretary Norton includes, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior David Cohen, David Bernhardt, Ramona Jones and several staff.

The high-level delegation will spend two-days in Pohnpei where they will meet with President Joseph J. Urusemal and Speaker of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, Peter M. Christian. It is anticipated that discussion issues will, among others, center around the recently signed amended Compact of Free Association between the FSM and the US.

The delegation has also been scheduled to visit tomorrow various historical sites in Pohnpei including the famous Nan Madol Ruins. The CODEL is scheduled to depart Pohnpei tomorrow to continue their proposed itinerary to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Guam and Samoa.