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Ambassador of the Netherlands to the FSM

POHNPEI, Palikir (FSM Information Service): August 2000 - Ambassador of the Netherlands to the FSM, George Theodore Eugene Richard (Theo) Arnold visited the FSM to present his credentials to President Leo A. Falcam this morning in the Cabinet Room.

The brief ceremony was also attended by the President and the Vice President, members of the Diplomatic Corp, the Cabinet and other officials of the national and Pohnpei State Governments.

Ambassador Arnold who was born in Hague, the Netherlands is married to Kessara Charoonko-Larakse.

He earned a Masters Degree in Economics at the University of Rotterdam.

The Ambassador at present resides in Kuala Lumpur.

He served in the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Development Cooperation Asia Division as the director for four years in beginning in 1989.

In 1986 and for two years, he was specially assigned to Bangkok ESCAP and was counselor, 1982-85 in Dar Es Salaam.

The ambassador served as counselor in Bangkok, 1978- 1982 and was the desk officer for the Minister of Foreign Affairs for two years beginning in 1975.

The Ambassador upon arriving and presenting his credentials will pay a courtesy call on President Leo A. Falcam and Vice President Redley Killion. He will also call on Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs Ieske Iehsi, the US Ambassador to the FSM Diane Watson, Congress Speaker Jack Fritz, Pohnpei State Governor Johnny David, People's Republic of China Charge d' Affaires, Australian Ambassador to the FSM Timothy Cole, Japan Embassy Charge D' Affaires Fhigeatfu Nakajima, Secretaries of the Departments of Health, Education and Social Affairs, Economic Affairs and Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, Dr. Eliuel Pretrick, Sebastian Anefal and Lambert Lokopwe respectively.

He will also meet Pius Chotailug, chief of the national police to exchange a policeman's cap from the Netherlands for one from the FSM National Police, and Joseph Robi, Pohnpei State chief of police to also exchange a policeman's cap from the Netherlands for one from the State of Pohnpei.

The Ambassador will take a trip to Nanmadol and Kepihroi Waterfall.