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Robert new Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 25, 2001 - On May 22, 2001, Lorin Robert was sworn into office as the new Deputy Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia.

The FSM Chief Justice, Andon Amaraich, administered the Oath of Office to Robert in the President's cabinet meeting room, witnessed by a crowd of officials and members of the National Government, family members and close friends.

The President congratulated Robert and assured him of the Administration's support of his "very difficult and sensitive responsibility" in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Robert was nominated by President Leo A. Falcam to fill the seat vacated by Ieske K. Iehsi's appointment to Secretary of the Department. He was nominated and confirmed during the 12th FSM Congress.

The new Deputy Secretary had amassed a wealth of background and varied international experiences throughout his career, which significantly qualified him for the vital role in the Department of Foreign Affairs-the internationally visible arm of the National Government.

Robert received his Bachelor's Degree in 1979 from the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, and continued his education at the School of International Services at American University in Washington, D.C. until 1982. Robert returned to Chuuk and taught concurrently at both Truk High School and the College of Micronesia for a year.

In 1984, he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs as a Foreign Service Officer and was assigned to Japan a year later as the Deputy Chief of Mission for the FSM Embassy in Tokyo where he served for the next five years.

In 1987, Robert participated in the Oxford University's Foreign Service Program in England. He returned to FSM in 1990, where he again joined the Department of Foreign Affairs, this time serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary. In 1996, he was promoted to Assistant Secretary for Asian Affairs, a post he held until his nomination to Deputy Secretary.

Robert has developed broad experiences in international negotiations concerning our nation's fishery resources. He has served as Head of FSM's Delegation to Forum Fisheries Committee meetings and to Multilateral High-Level Conferences, participated in multilateral fisheries treaty negotiations with the United States and currently serves as chairman of the Micronesian Fisheries Authority.

Other accomplishments include being Alternate Governors for the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

Robert is a native of Chuuk State, born on May 07, 1956, and is married to the former Ignacia Helgen of Pohnpei and they have four children.