Independence Day Message ............ Page 4. THE NATIONAL UNION PEACE • UNITY • LIBERTY AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PEOPLE OF FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA Volume 17 Palikir, Pohnpei, October-November 1996 Number 8 FSM Congress designates Vice President Acting President as Acting President of the FSM heads delegation to PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM one, was transmitted to Speaker Fritz Summit in Rome INFORMATION SERVICE) - The declaring that President Bailey Olter is Ninth FSM Congress in its Fourth presently unable to discharge the powers PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Regular Session, on November 8,1996, and duties of his office. INFORMATION SERVICE) - Actjgg, adopted Congressional Resolution No. Congress Resolution No. 9-93, was President Jacob Nena, accompanied by 9-93, designating Vice President Jacob premised upon the declaration of no Mrs. Lerina Nena, led a high Jfv$l Nena as Acting President of the less than two-thirds of the Members of delegation from the Federated States of Federated States of Micronesia after a Congress and transmitted to the Speaker Micronesia to the first World Food Declaration signed by all members but (See ACTING PRESIDENT, Page 8) Summit (WFS) held in Rome, Italy, according to a release from the Permanent Mission of the FSM to the United Nations. The Summit-from 13to IVNovember 1996 - brought together Heads of State and Government and other world leaders at the Rome Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The objective of the Summit was to renew high-level commitment around the world to the eradication of hunger and malnutrition and to the achievement of lasting food security for all people. Other members of the FSM Delegation to the Summit included Ambassador Resio S. Moses from the FSM Mission to the United Nations in New York, Secretary Eliuel K. Pretrick and Mrs. Kesia Pretrick of the Department of Health Services, Mr. Robert Richie from the Office of the Attorney General and FSM Nutritionist AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN VISITS FSM - Speaker and the members of Mrs. JaneElymore from the Department Congress greeted an Australian Parliamentarian Delegation upon its arrival at the of Health Services. Pohnpei International Airport at Deketik during their November 3-7, 1996 visit to the FSM. The head of the delegation from A ustralia was the Honorable Eoin Cameron, MP. At the Summit the Acting President Front row, (left to right): Robert Baldwin, Mrs. Cameron, Floor Leader Joseph delivered the following statement: Urusemal, Mrs. Baldwin. Back row (left to right): Ambassador of A ustralia to the FSM (text) "It is a great honor for me tp Perry Head, Eoin Cameron, and Speaker Jack Fritz. (See FOOD SUMMIT, Page 2) 2 Summit_________ (Continued from Page 1) sector economy. This transition will necessary for the development of represent the Federated States of reduce the size of government, reduce technology and systems applicable to <* Micronesia, and on behalf of the citizens subsidies to consumers, increase the small scale agriculture, thereby ^ of Micronesia I bring greetings to this cost of imports and stimulate local encouraging traditional production of <3 distinguished body of delegates who productive industries. food at the household and community g have gathered to reaffirm the "One may ask what relevance this levels. The assistance provided under fundamental right for everyone to be economic transition has to food security UNDP/FAO development projects has o free from hunger. or the nutritional adequacy of food increased self-sufficiency in agricultural "I would like first to express our supplies in Micronesia. The answer is and livestock production, thereby sincere appreciation to the Director that, even in the face of our limited bringing us closer to these goals. o utilization of available resources and "Of particular importance to the •*rt General for the organizational and s preparatory work FAO has undertaken poor decision-making in nutrition Federated States of Micronesia is the z" to refocus world attention on securing choices, political will, well-conceived implementation of international o the most basic of human needs - - food. policies and coordinated actions can conventions and agreements on food I would also like to thank our gracious drastically reduce malnutrition and ill- standards, trade and responsible fishing, host, the Government of Italy, for its health. straddling and migratory fish stocks - hospitality and cooperation in "Instituting a program of economic all which contribute to ensuring organizing the World Food Summit and reform in Micronesia will increase the sustainable food production. Access to Ifor the courtesy that has been extended cost of imports, particularly food and international markets should not be *c to my delegation. other substitutable products, and thereby unfairly restricted because of the lesser z '"The Federated States of Micronesia encourage consumption of traditional, technologic capabilities of developing is proud to add its voice in adopting the local foods. The increase demand for countries. Fishing policies and Rome Declaration on World Food local products will improve the financial management strategies must be Security and the World Food Plan of viability of local productive industries, formulated which will enable the Action. We pledge our national as well as increase food exports. Both fisheries sector to make optimum long- commitment to the eradication of hunger the resulting economy and nutritional term contributions to food security and and malnutrition and the achievement health will bestrongerand more resilient eventually lead to increased marine of food security for all. We commit to changes in the international fisheries through better and sustainable ourselves to implement, monitor, and environment. management. follow-up this plan of Action atall levels "Access to nutritionally adequate and "Of course, meeting these and other in cooperation with the international safe foods does not simply mean commitments conducive to improved community. availability or affordability, it also means food security may exceed the "The Federated States of Micronesia the individual has the knowledge and institutional and resource capacity of is a small Pacific Island Nation ability to select food that supplies all small, developing countries. Our efforts comprised of over 600 small islands necessary nutrients and energy. This will require technical assistance from and atolls. By international standards will require increased awareness among the international community so that we, ours is a nation of economically policy makers and planners as to the and countries similarly situated, are in a impoverished. We are, however, a extent and severity of nutritional position to meet international product nation blessed with abundant problems. quality standards and take advantage of agricultural and marine resources that "Promotional and educational new market opportunities. allow us to maintain a simple — and programs must be developed so that "Finally, we must all recognize that hunger free — lifestyle. Hunger is not nutritional objectives can be achieved universal food security is an a national problem, but we have, over through public demand, based on interdependent issue of concern to all time, substituted the consumption of enhanced consumer awareness and members of the international traditional local foods with unnecessary knowledge. The more vulnerable community. The effective reliance on imported foods of poor populations must be educated to make implementation of the World Food nutritional value. This has resulted in informed dietary choices. Women, as Summit Plan of Action will require malnutrition and significant health the main providers of meals, care and supportive international cooperation for problems. The impact of these poor nutrition information, have a achieving accelerated and sustainable nutritional choices is by no means fundamental role in assuring improved universal food security, mutual help limited to a small percentage of segment nutritional status for all. These and sharing of expectations and of the population. Diabetes, high blood objectives can be accomplished by experience is essential to accomplishing pressure, anemia, vitamin A and iron encouraging the full involvement of our goals. deficiencies, low birth weight babies communities and the participation of "The Federated States of Micronesia and high infant mortality rates are the people in the identification of their acknowledges that in the international endemic to the nation. own nutritional problems as well as the community ours is a tiny voice and we "This Summit comes at a critical implementation, monitoring, and wield little influence in matters of global period in our short seventeen year history evaluation of appropriate educational impact. Yet it will only be through the as an independent nation, as we programs. commitment of all nations - no matter undertake fiscal reforms and transition "The effort can be assisted by what their sizeon influence - that the from apublic sectoreconomy toaprivate investment in agricultural research (See ROME, Page 10) Over 100 people gathered to dedicate FSM Postal Headquarters PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM facility and Pohnpei S tate who dedicated cutting of the ribbon at the entrance of the building was performed jointly by INFORMATION SERVICE) - The the land on which the building sits. H permanent FSM Postal Services Without such cooperation, the Mrs. Marine Henry, wife of the Post Headquarters in