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President Urusemal vetoes proposed modifications to judiciary qualifications

Palikir, POHNPEI(FSM Information Services): March 25, 2005 - President Joseph J. Urusemal vetoed, along with seven other measures, a proposed legislation to modify the Judiciary qualifications.

The legislations were adopted during the Fifth Regular Session of the 13^th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia held in January.

Congressional Act (CA) No. 13-96 proposed amendments to Title 4 (Judiciary) of the FSM Code to modify "the qualifications required of a Justice of the Supreme Court [...]" President's veto message said the amendments would be appropriate further down the road when the nation has secured a sufficient number of suitably qualified locals.

But at a time when the national government is desperately seeking suitable qualified local professionals, the President said passage of the measure could further exacerbate the situation.

Another vetoed measure was the proposal (CA no. 13-100) to amend Title 9 (National Elections) of the FSM Code to allow citizens who previously registered and voted at a Special Polling Places to do the same in the following elections without re-registering. Although intended to facilitate a more expedited election process, the measure had however fell short of guaranteeing a fair and secured election process.

A measure (CA no. 13-110) to amend Title 24(Natural Resources) of the FSM Code to enable exemption from permit fees in certain circumstances was also vetoed.

Congressional Act 13-112 called for changes to several sections in Title 21(Telecommunications) of the FSM Code. The proposed amendments relate to the composition, powers and responsibilities of the Board of Directors of Telecommunications Corporation.

The four remaining measures [Congressional Acts: 13-102, 13-103, 13-113 and 13-114] all called for appropriation of funds to certain public projects but were denied because of funds that have already been exhausted.