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FSM President expresses support for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to recover from the catastrophic fire that destroyed its North Pacific sub-regional office in Pohnpei

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service): April 14, 2008 - In a gesture that illustrates his strong support and concern, FSM President Manny Mori visited the site of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community North Pacific sub-regional office, in Kolonia, Pohnpei State, on the day after the building was totally destroyed by fire, and pledged his government's support for SPC to rehabilitate the office and resume its full operations in the north Pacific as soon as possible.

"I am first of all very thankful that no one was hurt in this tragic fire, but I am sad to see so much equipment and materials destroyed and the capacity of the newly established office likely to be compromised for some time," President Mori said.

The newly established SPC north Pacific sub-regional office was located at the Pohnpei State agricultural complex in Kolonia Town and had just been formally opened by former SPC Director General Ms. Lourdes Pangelinan on January 19, 2006. The office is headed by Mr Amena Yauvoli, a former top civil servant in Fiji, and has a staff of 3 regional and international staff and some FSM locals.

The cause of the fire that entirely destroyed the building during the night of Thursday, April 3, 28, is not yet known. The building was still in the process of being renovated, with electrical and telephone installations still on-going, and foul play is not suspected.

President Mori has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs to locate new premises for the SPC office and to render all assistance possible to the SPC staff in order that the office can fully resume its mission in the near future.