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FSM Ambassador to the Republic of Fiji Takes the Oath of Office

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): January 18, 2008 - In a ceremony in Palikir on the 17^th of January, President Emanuel Mori administered the oath of office to newly confirmed Ambassador Samson Pretrick. Ambassador Pretrick was sworn in as the 3^rd FSM Ambassador to the Republic of Fiji.

By accepting the oath of office Ambassador Pretrick agreed to faithfully execute the duties and responsibilities for the position and to uphold, promote and support the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Ambassador Pretrick began his career with the FSM National Government in the Department of Foreign Affairs in November of 1989 as a Foreign Service Officer. He was relocated to the FSM Embassy in Washington D.C. as a First Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs before he was transferred to Guam as FSM Consul General there.

Ambassador Pretrick received a Master's degree from Monash University in collaboration with the Australian National University in 1995, sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Economics from Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri in 1989.

Ambassador Pretrick attended the following training to further his background in foreign affairs, starting with the most recent: The Island State Security Conference hosted by the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu in June 1999; the Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade Masters Program in Canberra, Australia from 1994-1995; the Consular Training at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington D.C. in 1998; the Micronesian Diplomatic Training Program (Phase II) in Washington DC in 1991 and with Phase I in Honolulu and Fiji in 1990; the Japanese Friendship Tour Program in various cities in Japan in 1990; and several short term trainings in Palikir.

Ambassador Pretrick's involvement in other activities includes his recent membership in the FSM Association of Guam and Saipan to organize and coordinate activities representing the interests of FSM citizens. He was a member of the Washington-Pacific Committee created to promote the interests of the Pacific Island countries in Washington, which committee he chaired in 1998. He also served as a secretariat assistant for the Economic and Trade Review Committee held in Pohnpei in 1995. Ambassador Pretrick also participated in several Compact Renegotiations in Palikir and Honolulu.

Ambassador Pretrick is from Pohnpei and was born on November 14, 1965 in Kolonia. He is married to Lavernie Nanpei also from Pohnpei. The have four daughters.

Present at the Palikir ceremony were FSM Cabinet Members, Government Officials, family members, and friend of Ambassador Samson Pretrick.