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Holiday Greetings by President Urusemal

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): December 23, 2003 - To the people of the Federated States of Micronesia.

My fellow citizens and friends of the Federated States of Micronesia, during this special holiday season of Christmas, Vice President Killion and I, as well as our families, take this opportunity to extend to you our very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Christmas is a time of joy, a time of celebration throughout the world. It is a time of fellowship where families get together to worship, to share and take part in the festivities of their communities.

Christmas is also a time of reflection, and as we look upon all that which has been graciously bestowed upon us, we have every reason to be grateful during this season. We are not only blessed by the serenity and the natural beauty of our islands, but also by the strong support of our people to our governments at all levels - municipal, state and national.

In that respect and in the spirit of this holiday season, Vice President Killion and I wish to thank you very much for your support, and we can only hope and pray that you continue to extend the same as we approach the New Year and beyond.

Once again, from our nation's capitol in Palikir, I wish all of you, your families and friends of the Federated States of Micronesia, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.