Political Reviews

Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 john r haglelgam, david w kupferman, kelly g marsh, samuel f mcphetres, donald r shuster, tyrone j taitano

Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 lorenz gonschor, hapakuke pierre leleivai, margaret mutu, forrest wade young

© 2012 by University of Hawai‘i Press

135 in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011

Reviews of and are not the office of the FSM president, this included in this issue. liaison office “is the first one ever established by the organization to Federated States of cover the North Pacific region” and Micronesia “the first new clo created by the In August 2010, Federated States of WHO in 30 years.” Serving the Feder- Micronesia (FSM) President Emanuel ated States, the Marshall Islands, and “Manny” Mori traveled to to Palau, the office will assist health offi- attend the 41st meeting of the Pacific cials in such areas as diabetes, heart Islands Forum. While in Vanuatu, on disease, infectious diseases, injury 4 August, Mori signed a Partnership prevention, health system strengthen- for Development Agreement with ing, and tobacco control. It will help the Australian government. Through in detecting and responding to out- jointly determined technical and breaks of such infectious diseases as financial assistance, the agreement multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis and will support FSM efforts to imple- dengue. In addition, it will coordi- ment development strategies geared nate and provide training for health toward sustainable economic growth. professionals in the countries within In exchange for Australian assistance, its regional jurisdiction (fsmis Press “the FSM Government will pursue Release, 16 Aug 2010). its development through appropriate Also in August, FSM Vice Presi- budgets, laws, policies, strategies and dent Alik L Alik received Ambassador programs; will optimize the use of aid Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch of to achieve this development; and will the Federal Republic of Germany. continue to work towards its Millen- Weber-Lortsch has been the German nium Development Goals” (fsmis resident ambassador in the Philippines Press Release, 13 Aug 2010). since 2008 and is also diplomatically The World Health Organization accredited to the Federated States. The (WHO) became the most recent inter- ambassador returned to the Feder- national organization to establish a ated States to seek support for his presence in the Federated States when country’s ultimately successful can- it opened a new Country Liaison didacy for a non-permanent seat on Office (clo) on 16 August 2010. The the Security Council. opening ceremony commenced with Weber-Lortsch took the opportunity the unveiling of a who plaque at the to inform the vice president that entrance of the Department of Health his government is providing a grant and Social Affairs office building, of $7,000 to Micronesian Seminar where the liaison office is located. (MicSem) to defray travel expenses for According to the press release from MicSem representatives who wish to

136 political reviews • micronesia 137 visit selected archives and institutions bly and other venues, as well as the in Germany in order to make copies actions taken through the “Green of rare Micronesian historical photo- Micronesia Initiative” to ameliorate graphs from the German period. The climate-change impacts. President ambassador also expressed his govern- Mori informed Ambassador Lillie ment’s desire to establish an Honorary that during the upcoming UN Climate Consul for Germany in the Federated Change Conference in Mexico the States and also raised the possibility of FSM Government would “continue locating a European Union Regional to seek the support of the UK Gov- Office in the country (fsmis Press ernment and the European Union . . . Release, 16 Aug 2010). to combat climate change.” The A month after the German ambas- president further informed the ambas- sador’s visit, a group of French law- sador that during that conference the makers, accompanied by the French Federated States intended to introduce ambassador to the Philippines, arrived proposals to phase out hydrofluoro- “to observe, listen and learn from their carbons (hfcs) and to “eliminate one encounters with people of the region.” of the six gases listed in the Kyoto The group represented a French Senate Protocol” (fsmis Press Release, 12 organization called Groupe D’Amitié Oct 2010). et D’Études des Pays du Pacifique The country has made significant (Group of Friendship and Study of political overtures to the Muslim the Countries of the Pacific), which world. On 13 October 2010, the sends annual goodwill and fact-finding Federated States of Micronesia and missions to Pacific Island countries. the Kingdom of Morocco established According to the FSM Information formal diplomatic relations when Service, the team reports back to the Ambassador Masao Nakayama, the French Senate “to discuss the needs head of the FSM Permanent Mission and aspirations voiced by the different to the United Nations, and his spokespeople they meet on such trips” Moroccan counterpart, Ambassador (fsmis Press Release, 22 Sept 2010). Mohammed Loulichki, signed a joint In October 2010, British Ambas- communiqué in New York express- sador Stephen Lillie arrived to present ing the desires of the two countries his official credentials to President to “promote friendly relations and Mori. Lillie is the new UK resident cooperation . . . in political, economic, ambassador in the Philippines and cultural and other fields” (fsmis Press is diplomatically accredited to the Release, 13 Oct 2010). The two coun- Federated States of Micronesia. The tries agreed that the principles and United Kingdom is a Pacific Islands objectives of the United Nations Char- Forum Dialogue Partner and has sent ter and the 1961 Vienna Conventions high-level government officials to on Diplomatic and Consular Relations attend Forum meetings. The ambas- would guide their new relationship. sador welcomed the Federated States’ About three weeks earlier, the Fed- role in raising international awareness erated States wrote what was referred of climate change through powerful to as a “significant page in the diplo- speeches at the UN General Assem- matic history” of the country. While in 138 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

New York to participate in the meet- with the Federated States started ing of the 65th UN General Assembly, when he was the chief US negotiator FSM Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the first Compact of Free Associa- Lorin S Robert and his Egyptian tion, during President Jimmy Carter’s counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmed administration. The American Jewish Aboul Gheit, signed a formal agree- Committee is a worldwide organiza- ment establishing non-resident ambas- tion headquartered in New York City, sadorial–level diplomatic relations with a key office in Washington DC between the Federated States and the to liaise with federal agencies and Arab Republic of Egypt. In the joint monitor international activities. The communiqué announcing the formal- committee started in the early 1900s ization of their diplomatic relations, as “a response to bigotry aimed at the two countries stated that they “are Russian Jews.” Now it has morphed fully convinced that the establishment into “an advocacy organization and of diplomatic relations corresponds a think-tank committed to support- to the interests of both States and ing the State of Israel and combating will strengthen international peace anti-Semitism by promoting pluralism and stability” (fsmis Press Release, and democratic values, among others” 25 Sept 2010). The establishment of (fsmis Press Release, 19 Oct 2010). diplomatic relations with Egypt is With its headquarters located in the historic because Egypt was the first same city as the United Nations, the Arab country to formally recognize American Jewish Committee has been the sovereignty of the Federated States able to establish and maintain contact of Micronesia, but the FSM press with high FSM government officials release indicated other considerations who arrive to address the world body. for establishing formal ties with Egypt. As pointed out in a press release, the For instance, it pointed to Egypt’s meeting between FSM officials and place in history, its role as a key player ajc members is now a “tradition.” In in the Middle East, and its status as what has been dubbed “a triangular the most populated Arab country. It relationship,” the American Jewish further mentioned the fact that Egypt Committee has played a major role is “considered comparatively more “in promoting relations between the moderate than its neighboring Arab FSM and the State of Israel with the countries” and that, in November US as the base of operation.” This 1977, it “broke ranks with the other relationship has led to unequivo- Arab states and established friendly cal FSM support for Israel “in the relations with the State of Israel” context of the UN System and other (fsmis Press Release, 25 Sept 2010). multilateral forums” and, in response, Vice President Alik, who was also to what Rosenblatt described as “a in New York to address the 65th UN groundswell of gratitude of the people General Assembly, took the opportu- and leaders of Israel.” The Federated nity to meet with Peter Rosenblatt and States has benefited from direct ajc other members of the American Jewish humanitarian assistance as well as Committee (ajc) on 24 September from the committee’s help in secur- 2010. Mr Rosenblatt’s acquaintance ing the donation of medicines by an political reviews • micronesia 139

Israeli pharmaceutical company and in States, the People’s Republic of arranging for the Israeli government to (PRC) was the first permanent mem- provide two dialysis machines (fsmis ber of the UN Security Council to Press Release, 19 Oct 2010). recognize the Federated States’ sover- The preceding paragraphs reveal eign independence and to establish an the depth of the official FSM relation- embassy there. At present, the PRC ship with Israel. Whether this com- embassy in the Federated States is mitment is a spinoff of the Federated its only foothold in the Micronesian States’ relationship with the United region. States is not relevant to this review. From 9 to 22 August 2010, Presi- Suffice it to say that relations with dent Mori visited the southeastern Israel have become the linchpin of the islands of —the Mortlock FSM foreign policy toward the Arab Islands—with a large delegation of countries. The impact of this policy national officials. According to the has limited the ability of the Feder- press release, the president discussed ated States to reach out to Muslim the importance of Chuuk State’s finan- countries for technical and financial cial reform, sponsored jointly with assistance in social and economic the national government. This reform, development. the president reported, has reduced In August 2010, Vice President Chuuk’s deficit and created positive Alik led a delegation to the World cash flow during the past two years. Expo in Shanghai, China. While at the The Mortlockese, however, were more Expo, Alik, along with Shanghai Vice concerned about the solvency of the Mayor Tu Guangshao and other FSM FSM social security program. The and Chinese dignitaries, celebrated president informed the Mortlockese FSM National Day at a flag-raising that he would recommend that the ceremony, with the FSM national FSM Congress fund social security anthem played by a Chinese mili- from the tax revenue collected from tary band. After the ceremony, Vice newly registered corporations. The President Alik gave his formal speech national government is expected to in the Expo Center’s Welcome Hall. generate $10–20 million from this Thanking the Chinese government for taxing scheme. In addition, Mori said supporting the Federated States’ par- he would ask the congress to “revamp ticipation, he said, “We truly appreci- the social security system to be more ate the opportunity to be part of the efficient and responsive to people’s World Expo, and we continually look immediate needs” (fsmis Press forward to working with the Chinese Release, 6 Sept 2010). Government for future projects” The president also informed the (fsmis Press Release, 30 Aug 2010). people that his administration is work- The special attention China granted ing with the country’s development to the Federated States at the Shang- partners to assist with power needs. hai Expo is a tribute to the long and He explained that he intended “to stable relationship between the two gradually replace electricity genera- countries, which is based on the “One tors with solar and windmill power China” policy. Besides the United sources” (fsmis Press Release, 6 Sept 140 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012)

2010). As a political gesture to the tion is collecting data from the four Mortlockese, and perhaps with an states, which it hopes will show how eye toward the March 2011 election, many teachers are enrolled in training the president administered the oath programs and how many plan to take of office to Marion Henry—a local the National Standardized Tests for boy—to head the national Department Teachers. Taking these steps may fulfill of Resources and Development. the teachers’ individual development The president’s statement during plans and satisfy jemco conditions for his visit to the Mortlocks indicates teacher certification. jemco approval the entrenchment of his administra- will offer a respite of one or two years tion’s involvement in Chuuk affairs. so that the 1,183 uncertified teachers For example, he continues to flaunt can acquire their teaching certificates the reform of the national govern- (fsmis Press Release, 6 Sept 2010). ment that was instituted jointly with On 22 September 2010, Beau- Chuuk. Although this has produced leen Carl-Worswick became the first positive results for the administration woman to serve as an associate justice of the state, some believe it remains on the FSM Supreme Court. Carl- a flagrant violation of the federalism Worswick graduated from Loa enunciated in the national constitu- College (now Hawai‘i Pacific Univer- tion. The president seemed set to sity) on O‘ahu in 1984. She received continue interfering in states’ affairs her legal education at Gonzaga Uni- when he announced his intention to versity Law School in Spokane, Wash- replace electrical generators with sus- ington. She has extensive experience in tainable energy sources. The president private practice and has worked with can only assist the states in acquiring the state and national governments solar and windmill energy because (fsmis Press Release, 22 Sept 2010). the national government does not run President Mori should be commended power plants in any of the states. Each for appointing such a well-qualified of the states sets its own power policy woman to serve in the national court and regulations. system. The FSM Department of Educa- During the March 2011 national tion was jolted into reality when it election, four incumbent senators lost received data from the US Department their seats—a rare occurrence in FSM of Education indicating that about 61 national elections. Senators Peter Sitan percent of the teachers in public and and Joe Suka of Chuuk and Fredrick private primary and secondary schools Primo of Pohnpei lost to three state do not meet the certification require- legislators. In the Chuuk State at- ment under FSM law. To meet statu- large seat, President Mori defeated tory requirements as well as those of incumbent Sitro Paul and Anna Asauo the Compact US-FSM Joint Economic Wengu, the only female candidate in Management Committee (jemco), the the election. Vice President Alik ran Mori administration is asking the FSM unopposed for the at-large seat in Congress to appropriate $3.5 million Kosrae. These victories cleared the for a teacher-certification program. way for Manny Mori and Alik Alik to The national department of educa- seek reelection. political reviews • micronesia 141

After the general election, and in broached in a letter to Secretary of the congressional caucus immediately State Hillary Clinton and Secretary preceding the presidential election, of the Interior Ken Salazar. The Pohnpei made concerted efforts to get letter raised concerns about the free- its at-large senator, Peter Christian, migration provisions of the compact elected to the presidency. Despite this, and recommended policies to reduce however, on 11 May 2011, the 17th the burden on US states experiencing FSM Congress reelected Manny Mori “compact impact” (pir 12 May 2011; and Alik Alik to the presidency and Johnson 2011). vice presidency, respectively. FSM The president also did not address a Chief Justice Martin Yinug adminis- political problem in his own backyard: tered the oath of office to the two men the “on and off” Faichuk secession in the congressional chamber. A more movement. The Faichuk independence public swearing-in ceremony took movement is becoming a political place on 29 July 2011 in the FSM- comedy on a grand international scale. China Friendship Sports Center at the Acting President Kachutosy Paulus College of Micronesia–FSM. of the so-called Faichuk Republic President Mori’s victory is a tribute has declared the existence of Faichuk to the strong unity of the Chuuk del- as a distinct political entity that is egation and to the president’s ability independent from the Federated States to broker political compromise with of Micronesia. The acting president members of the other congressional issued the independence declaration in delegations. His victory in the general Guam, and subsequently, a self-styled election is also a model for future Chinese ambassador to the Faichuk presidents to emulate in order to over- Republic showed up in Pohnpei to come the first hurdle in their reelection inform the PRC resident ambassador attempts. President Mori spent less of her status. This angered the PRC money on reelection efforts than his ambassador and blind-sided and two opponents did. He did not suc- embarrassed national officials, includ- cumb to pressure to pardon the former ing President Mori (Jaynes 2011). Chuukese national senators convicted The election of Manny Mori to the of felonies in the FSM Supreme Court. presidency and Alik Alik to the vice The president’s dogged attention to presidency rendered the two at-large Chuuk state affairs, regardless of congressional seats for Chuuk and its constitutionality, paid him a fine Kosrae vacant. In the special elec- dividend in the general election. tion to fill the vacancies, the voters in In his inaugural speech, President Chuuk elected Governor Wesley Sim- Mori reviewed his accomplishments in ina to replace Manny Mori, and the his first term and laid out his plan and Kosraean voters chose Yosiwo George, vision for his second. Notably missing ambassador to the United States, to fill from the president’s speech was his Vice President Alik’s former seat. Prior administration’s plan of action regard- to winning the Chuuk at-large seat, ing Micronesian immigration prob- Governor Simina’s political experience lems, which the US Senate Committee had been confined to state politics. on Energy and Natural Resources Ambassador George has had extensive 142 the contemporary pacific • 24:1 (2012) experience in FSM and Kosrae politics Johnson, Giff. 2011. U.S. Lawmakers Seek and has served the country in vari- Limit on Micronesian Immigrants. Mari- ous capacities as a department head, anas Variety, 23 May. Archived online at a diplomat, and head of the national http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2011/ health insurance program. For Kosrae may/05%2D23%2D01.htm state, George has served as governor pir, Pacific Islands Report. Online Pacific and chief justice and has now joined news service. the exclusive political club of four at-large national senators who are eligible to become FSM president or Guam vice president. During the March 2011 congres- Dominating the news during the year sional election, voters defeated two under review were the same three proposed amendments to the national issues that captured the most attention constitution. One would have allowed in the previous year: the upcoming US FSM citizens to acquire another military buildup, the 2010 gubernato- citizenship. This amendment garnered rial election, and ongoing fiscal dif- more than 60 percent of the votes ficulties for the Government of Guam in each of the states, but it failed to (GovGuam). receive the constitutionally required As 2011 began, the proposed 75 percent. The other amendment transfer of 8,600 US Marines and proposed to extend the term of the ten their dependents from Okinawa to two-year members of the legislature Guam was still proceeding. However, to four years. In Pohnpei state, the in response to public opposition to the amendment received only 46 percent buildup plans, the pace of the buildup of the votes, and in all four states it was slowed. Initially, the buildup was received a lower percentage than that expected to bring about 79,000 people garnered by the proposed dual citizen- to Guam by 2014, with about half ship amendment. as imported labor for military con- john r haglelgam struction projects and other prepara- tory activities. As noted last year, the US Department of Defense (dod) issued a draft environmental impact References statement in late 2009 outlining the fsmis, FSM Information Services. Govern- different plans for how the buildup ment of the Federated State of Micronesia would transform the island. The docu- News and Public Statements, Palikir, Pohn- ment, over 11,000 pages long (Saipan pei. http://www.fsmgov.org/press.html Tribune, 8 Jan 2010), received over 10,000 submissions from the pub- Jaynes, Bill. 2011. Faichuk Renews Its lic, elected leaders, and government Intent to Stand Alone as a Sovereign Country. Kaselehlie Press [biweekly agencies during the public comment newspaper, Pohnpei], 30 August. period (dod 2010). The new plan in http://bild-art.de/kpress/index.php?option the final impact statement purport- =com_content&task=view&id=1392 edly would only shift marines to &Itemid=2 [accessed 8 Sept 2011] Guam after the island’s infrastructure