---

FSM and US to Hold 2011 Joint Committee Meeting

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): October 31, 2011 - The necessary administrative and logistical preparations have commenced as the Federated States of Micronesia prepares to host the 2011 Joint Committee Meeting with the United States of America, scheduled for November 17, 2011. The meeting will be held at the Conference Room of the Pohnpei State Hospital in the Municipality of Nett, with the theme, Title III: Partnership for Community Development.

The JCM is a joint committee of senior government officials of the Governments of the Federated States Micronesia and the United States of America, established under Title III of the Compact of Free-Association, as amended, with the primary aim to addressing defense and security issues and related agreements between the two countries.

Prominent military representatives slated to attend this year's meeting are Rear Admiral Paul Bushong, who is the Commander of the Joint Region Marianas, as well as the US defense representative to the FSM, and Captain Casey White, the current Commander of the US Coast Guard Sector based in Guam. This will be Captain White's first time to attend the JCM.Among others, some of the major topic of presentations and discussions will include the Governments' recent engagements through the United States Coast Guard covering recent Search and Rescue Operations, updates on the enlistment of FSM citizens in U.S. Armed Forces, recent developments on the Guam Military Build-Up, and Humanitarian Assistance to the FSM to be implemented by the US Military (HA-FSM). The recent Pacific Partnership Mission to the FSM in July of this year, and current implementation progress of community projects under the Civic Construction Action Details (CCAD) are also two items that will be discussed in the meeting.

The United States of America will be represented by the Ambassador of the United States to the Federated States of Micronesia, His Excellency Peter Prahar, as head of delegation, with high military representatives based out of Guam and Hawaii. As with previous JCMs, the delegation of the Federated States of Micronesia will be headed by Secretary Lorin S. Robert of the Department of Foreign Affairs with senior officials from the line department and agencies.