---

Robert sworn in as new Secretary of Foreign Affairs

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): July 20, 2007 - Lorin S. Robert has been sworn into office as the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs for the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

President Manny Mori administered the Oath of Office to Robert in a short ceremony in his Cabinet Meeting room on July 14 2007. The Oath of Office was witnessed by members of the Presidents Cabinet and members of the 15^th FSM Congress.

The FSM Congress had just confirmed Robert's nomination the day before his oath with Congressional Resolution 15-17.

He replaces former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Sebastian L. Anefal, who was recently elected Governor of the State of Yap.

Robert, 51, is an alumnus of both the American University School of International Services in Washington DC and of Oxford University in England. Robert is a seasoned diplomat who has been with the Department for over 20 years.

From 1984 up to his nomination, Robert has served the Government in various capacities from assignments overseas as the Deputy Chief of Mission for the FSM Embassy in Tokyo to positions at the Department as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asian Affairs to being the Assistant Secretary of the Division of Asia Pacific and Multilateral Affairs. Robert held the position of Deputy Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs from 2001 until his nomination for Secretary.

Robert also has a wealth of background in other international settings which include: a representative of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific; participation in the UN Trusteeship Council Meetings; served as an Alternate Governor for both the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. He was also involved in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone negotiations and the Multilateral Fisheries Treaty Negotiations with the U.S.

Robert is the current Chairman for the Board of Trustees for the Micronesian Fisheries Authority.