!'}?• • :" [ '"ipciStak- FSM

Moses presents his letter of credentials to Dr. Boutros Boutros-GhaliFSM MISSION TO THE UN, New

York (FSM INFORMATIONSERVICE) - The FSM PermanentRepresentative to the United Nations,Ambassador Resio S. Moses, on July23, 1996, presented his credentials tothe Secretary-General of the UnitedNations, Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, ina brief ceremony at the UN Headquartersin New York and also formally presentedPresident Bailey Oiler's letter of recall

of former Ambassador Yosiwo P.George, according to a release from theFSM Permanent Mission to the UN.

In a brief meeting following theceremony, Ambassador Mosesconveyed, through the Secretary-General, the greetings and best wishesof the President and the people of theFSM to all Member States and ObserverMissions to the UN and pledged hisgovernment's support on issues relating

to the maintenance of world peace andsecurity and the sustainabledevelopment of all humankind.

Ambassador Moses departed the FSM(Pohnpei), July 6, 1996. Afterundergoing a week of physicalexamination at S traub Medical Clinic inHonolulu, Hawaii, he arrived in NewYork on July 15, 1996. AmbassadorMoses is presently domiciled at a hotel

(See CREDENTIALS, Page 2)

THE NATIONAL UNIONPEACE • UNITY • LIBERTY

^AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PEOPLE OF FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESI^

Volume 17 Palikir, Pohnpei, June-July 1996 Number 6

President Olter receives Honorary Doctor of Education' " PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM

INFORMATION SERVICE) - Theboard of Directors of ArmstrongUniversity on recommendation ofthe Administration of the Univesityhas confered upon FSM PresidentBailey Olter for superiordistinguished achievement ineducation and modernization ofMicronesia the Degree of Doctor ofEducation, Honors, Cause with allof the rights, privileges, and honorsthereunto appertaining.

The Degree was presented to thePresident, on the 28th of June thisyear in Los Angeles, California.

Representative from theUniversity, Dr. Edward K. Chook,presented to President Olter thehighest honor of any university, theHonorary Doctor of Education.

An Honorary Doctor Degree is adegree confered upon individuals

(See DOCTORA TE, Page 6))

OLTER RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE - FSMlident Bailey Olter (left), receives a honorary doctorate degree in educationi Armstrong University. Presenting the hororary degree to the Presidentr. Edward K. Chook, (right) representative from Armstrong University.

Pacific Educational Conference: "Navigating to Excellence "

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - The13th Annual Pacific EducationalConference, met successfully onPohnpei from August 6 to 8, 1996,on the topic, The Pacific Family:Navigating to Excellence!

The Conference was co-sponsoredby the Pacific Regional EducationalLaboratory (PREL) whose board ofdirectors held one of their threeannual board meetingssimultaneously with the PacificEducation Conference.The Opening Ceremony on August6,1996,began with an Invocation byRev. Rensper Jack, welcomingremarks from Secretary of the FSMDepartment of Education and fromPohnpei Governor Del Pangelinan,followed by conference remarksfrom Dr. John Kofel, ExecutiveDirector of PREL. The Keynoteaddress was given by Father FrancisHezel S.J., Director, MicronesianSeminar. Hezel spoke on thequestion: Whether MicronesianCulture should be taught in theclassrooms. A Teacher of the YearRecognition award was presentedDr. Rita Hocog-Inos, DeputyDirector, PREL, culminating theopening ceremony.Hosting the Conference was

Pohnpei State Department ofEducation with the assistance of theFSM Education Department. Morethan 1,000 participants fromAmerican Samoa, Commonwealthof the Northern Mariana Islands,Guam, Hawai'i, Republic of theMarshall Islands, the Republic ofPalau and the Federated States ofMicronesia's states of Yap, Chuuk,Kosrae and Pohnpei attended theConference. Educators from USmainland, Australia, Vanuatu andCook Islands also attended.During the Conference more than

100 workshops were held andpresentations made by invitedguests on a wide range of topicsincluding classroom techniques,parent involvement in theeducational process, politics,

economy, family planning, andculture, to name a few. Culturalnights provided opportunities forsharing of dances and songs, giftgiving, and broadening one'scultural understanding, friendshipand professional relationships.

The Conference providedparticipants and their hosts anexcellent opportunity to sample thevarious aspects of local custom andculture, the way of life in PohnpeiState, which the participants willlong remember.

This year's program offeredsomething of interest for everyone.With more than 150 workshopsscheduled, topics covered will rangefrom culturally relevant curriculumdesign to parents as partners and

Credentials

school-to-work programs. Since itsinception in Guam in 1984, theconference, in addition to thegrowing professionalism of Pacificeducators, has developed a uniqueflavor that sets it apart from otherconferences: The Pacific Way.Among traditions at this conferenceare sharing in songs and dances, giftgiving, and speaking that expandlearning into the realm ofunderstanding.

Pre-Conference Institutes wereheld on August 5. Among theofferings were "Parent Forum," and"Education and TechnologyInstitute," a "School-to-WorkTransition Institute," a "Breakingthe Cycle of Gender Violence

(See PEC, Page 6)

(Continuedfrom Page 1)in Manhattan near the UN Headquarters,but will soon move into a temporaryresidence. Itisexpectedthatapermanentresidence will be established prior to hisfamily's arrival in New York later this

Mosesyear or early next year.

Ambassador Moses who was bornAug. 31, 1944, in U municipality,Pohnpei, began his service as a laborerfor the then Ponape District in 1963. Heserved as Student Services Coordinatorat the Trust Territory Department ofEducation from 1968-69, and became ahigh school teacher at PICS in 1970. Healso served as Instructor at theCommunity College of Micronesia(CCM) in 1971, and from 1973-76 hewas a Representative in the Congress ofMicronesia. After serving in theCongress, he was District Administrator

for Ponape District from 1976-77. Hewas the Executive Officer for the formerTrust Territory Government from 1977-78 and later was Administrator of theDepartment of Community Services,Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.Prior to becoming the second electedGovernor of the State of Pohnpei, aposthe held for eight years (two terms),Moses was President of the College ofMicronesia from 1978-81. Before*Moses was appointed and confirmed asFSM Permanent Representative to theUnited Nations, he was Secretary of theDepartmentof External Affaris and laterPresident Olter's consultant.

The Ambassador pursued hisundergraduate studies at the Universityof Guam 1965-69, and did graduatestudies at the University of Akron, Ohiofrom 1969-70, and at the University ofHawaii, 1971-72.

He served as President of the FSMConstitutional Convention in 1990 andis a member of numerous prestigiousboards in the FSM. He has attendedmany conferences outside of the FSM,and has traveled to Europe, North andSouth America, China, Southeast Asia,Australia, and the Pacific Islandsr*During his years of study, he was \awarded fellowships and scholarships •*to pursue his studies. J -

Ambassador Frassetopresents Bathymetric Maps to Robert & Figir

AMBASSADORS VISITS VICE PRESIDENT - Ambassador of France to the FSMAntoine Frasseto and Ambassador Jean Bressot of France to the South PacificCommission, in July, called on Vice President Jacob Nena while in Pohnpei.Ambassador Frasseto presented to Acting Secretary of External Affairs Lorin Robertand Yap State Governor Vincent Figir the bathymatric maps of Yap State. Left toright: Frasseto, Nena, Bressot, andKodaro Galien, ProtocolOfficeratthe Departmentof External Affairs.

President Otter's message to PRELPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM

INFORMATION SERVICE) - FSMPresident Bailey Olter issued awelcoming message to participants ofthe 13th Pacific Regional EducationLaboratory (Annual Pacific Education)Conference which convenedinPohnpei,FSM, from August 6 to 8, 1996.

In his message President Olter statedthe annual gathering of educators fromthe Pacific is a major medium for theexchange of ideas on educationalimprovement across the region as itprovides opportunities to exchangeideas, strategies and cooperativeworking relationships which is vital atthis time.The conference's theme, "The Pacific

Family: Navigating to Excellence," istimely, the President stated, as theextended family and lineage systems ofthese islands are the key to "our"individual cultures and education of "ourchildren." In the broader context ofislands and Nations of the Pacific, Olterfurther stated, "as a family gives theguidance and direction in our need topool our human and financial resourcesin improving our educational systems."The President concluded with his hopefor the participants to have a productivestay in Pohnpei and gain new friendsand return home with ideas and resourcesfitting for developing world class

educational systems.Participants from the United States,

Australia, Vanuatu, Marshalls, Palau,Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Marianasand the four FS M S tales and the NationalGovernment attended this year's PRELConference.

Takerei visits the FSMseeking ways to promoteinvestment between NewZealand and FSM

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) -Marketing Officer Ngaire Takerei fromthe South Pacific Trade Commission,was in Pohnpei, June 15, and Kosrae,June 19 to assist existing exporters andto encourage potential exporters in theprivate sector, government agencies andchambers of commerce to export theirproducts to New Zealand.

She was looking for ways to promoteinvestments and joint tourism venturesbetween New Zealand and FSM, twoareas in which the South Pacific TradeCommission is encouragingdevelopment.

The FSM Department of Resourcesand Development coordinated her visitand inquiries.

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - TheBathymetric Maps of Yap State werepresented by Ambassador Frasseto ofFrance to Acting Secretary of ExternalAffairs Lorin Robert and GovernorVincent Figir of the State of Yap in aturn-over ceremony held July 18,1996,in the Department of External AffairsConference Room at the FSM Capitalin Palikir.

A briefing on the Bathymetric MapsProject by Nicolas Baudry, Director,Seafloor Imaging, Inc., was presentedto Governor Figir and other FSMGovernment officials following theceremony.

The maps shows the sea floortopography of the FSM's ExclusiveEconomic Zone in the State of Yap. Itrevealed the presence of a number ofseamounts which were previouslyunknown and an interesting discoverythat the deepest spot on earth in theworld reknowned Marianas Trench, isindeed within the EEZ of the FSM, saysActing Secretary of External AffairsLorin Robert. The project was fundedby the Government of France at therequest of the FSM Government.

A luncheon was hosted by the ActingSecretary at PCR restaurant in honor ofAmbassador Frasseto and the companyofficials who undertook the project.In a related development, Ambassador

Jean Bressot of France to the SouthPacific Commission (SPC) was here atthe same time. He and AmbassadorFrasseto called on Vice President JacobNena on the 19th of July.

Meet a New FriendHere is the name and address of ayoung man from Japan, interested inpen-pals from the FSM. If you areinterested, please drop him a line. Hisname is Atsushi Ishikawa, bom onMay 9,1978. His address is as follows:Strok-Hachioji 7F 702, 1-2 Myojin-cho 4-come, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, 192Japan. He speaks both English andJapanese and would like to correspondwith amaleages 14-25. He asked thathe be sent station or country badge,information-guide and picture-postcard.

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Pohnpei team wins Law Day Debate held in the State of Chunk

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - The19% Law Day Championship HighSchool debate was held at the FSMSupreme Court in Chuuk on July 12,(FSM National Law Day), on the topic:Resolved that testing for Humanimmuno-deficiency virus (AIDS)should be required of all persons overthe age of 16 years seeking entry or re-entry into the FSM.The topic was selected to reiterate the

potential danger of contacting AIDSand the need to prevent it from spreadinginto the FSM.Four FSM high school debating teams

represented their respective States atthe initial Semi-finals.

The Kosrae team composed ofMarmine S. Robert and Rigsby Robert,both from Kosrae High School,proponent of the topic was subdued bythe Chuuk team of Susan Lowe fromXavier High School and Arrol Sudafrom Chuuk High School, opponent ofthe topic, 338 points for Kosrae and 390points Chuuk debaters.

In the second semi-final, Pohnpei'steam composed of Dahlia Johnson andKenye Sigrah, both from Calvery BaptistAcademy, proponent of the topic, wonwith 388 points over the Yap's teamcomposed of Vera Layan and TonyTerag, Jr., both from Yap High Schoolwith 284 points. In the final matchbetween Pohnpei's team who retainedtheir position as a proponent of the topicwon over the Chuuk's team who retainedtheir position as opponent of the topic.Pohnpei's team won with 379 pointsover the Chuuk's team with a close of368 points. The debating teams fromKosrae and Yap States were tied for thethird place.

The FSM Law Day program beganwith the Flag Raising while the NationalAnthem was sung by the PentecostalLighthouse Youth Choir, followed byan Invocation by Fr. Julio Angkel.FSM's Supreme Court Acting ChiefJustice, Richard H. Benson, presentedthe opening remarks while Chuuk StateChief Justice Souckichi Fritz gave thewelcoming remarks and the KeynoteAddress was given by Congress SpeakerJack Fritz. Benediction was given byRev. Harvey Daides and the Master ofCeremonies was Public Defender'sRepresentative based on Kosrae JosesR. Gallen, who is a member of the 1996

FSM Law Day Committee.This year's debate judges included the

FSM Attorney General, Camillo Noket,Esquire; Professor Alvios J. William,University of Guam; Captain DouglasHammer, US Air Force's Civic ActionTeam in Chuuk; Chuuk Peace CorpsVolunteer Harry Goon; Dr. StevenWinter, Chuuk State Hospital and Rev.Edgar Isaac, Assistant AdministrativeOfficer, FSM Congress.

Coaching the 1996 debating teamswere Skipper Ittu, coach for Kosrae'sTeam; Paul and Andrea Milner, for thePohnpei Team; Phil Chavez, Yap'sTeam Coach; and Retis Heldart forChuuk's Team.It was estimated that nearly a thousand

spectators attended the openingceremony outside the Supreme CourtRoom and inside the Court Room wherethe debate was held. Those who

surrounded the Court Room watchedthe debates on a television monitor set-up by the FSM PIO TV-Cameraman,Elieser Rospel, who was on hand torecord on video tape the debates. Histrip was made possible by FSM HealthServices and FSM Supreme Court.

The ceremony and the championshipdebate were broadcast live via satelliteconnection from FSM Telecom to theFS M States and relayed by radio stationsin Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae.

This year's Law Day celebration wasa success due to the favorable responseby the people of Chuuk in thepreparations and attendance in theplanned Law Day activities. It isexpected that 1997 Law Day Debatewill be held in Kosrae to coincide withthe completion of the Court House nowunder construction, according to FSMClerk of Court, Kohsak Keller.

Proclamation on Law Day issuedPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM

INFORMATION SERVICE) - TheOffice of the FSM President issued onJune 25, 1996, a proclamation,designating Ju ly 12, 1996 asMicronesian Law Day, and urged allcitizens, residents and governments ofthe Federated States of Micronesia tocelebrate July 12, 1996, in ways thatpromote respect for the law.Thedate.July 12, has special historical

and political significance and meaningsto Micronesians. It was on July 12,1965that the Congress of Micronesia firstconvened on ______________S a i p a n ,headquartersof theGovernmentof the TrustTerritory ofthe PacificIslands.

On July 12,1975,the firstMicronesianConstitutionalConventionconvened inSaipan,atthethen calledWhite SandHotel; and onJuly 12,1978, the

WINNERS - Above holding the winners' trophy isFSM Attorney General Camillo Noket, PohnpeiLaw Day Debate Team coach Paul Milner and thetwo girls who won the 1996 debate. Left to right:Noket, Milner, Kenye Sigrah, and Dahlia Johnson.Sigrah and Johnson are both students at the CalvaryChristian Academy.

FSM Constitution was ratified by Yap,Chuuk (Truk), Pohnpei (Ponape) andKosrae (Kusaie) in a referendum heldthroughout Micronesia. Marshalls,Palau and the Northern Mariana Islandsdid not ratify the constitution.

This year, 1996, marks the 15thAnniversary of the Supreme Court ofthe Federated States of Micronesia. Inthis regard, the rule of law is fundamentalto the protection of our democratic*system of government, and that respectfor the law and our legal and democraticinstitutions is fundamental to the

_____________ maintenanceof ourfreedom.

Because thedemocratic,constitutionaland legalinstitutions ofthe FSMp r o v i d el a s t i n gbenefits to thecitizens andresidents ofthe FSM, itshould bes u i t a b l ycommemorated,t h eproclamationstated.

COM-FSM trying to raise $250 grand by Vice President issuesMarch 1997 for endowment fund

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - TheCollege of Micronesia -Federated Statesof Micronesia (COM-FSM) is trying toraise $250,000 by March 1997, and hasasked the National Women's Council tohelp raise that amount in a July 8,1996letter addressed to Chairperson,Mercedes Santos, from COM-FSMPresident, Susan Moses.

The funds raised will match the$500,000, grant reservation for whichCOM-FSM has applied successfullyunder a Endowment Challenge GrantProgram authorized by Title III of theHigher Education Act of 1965, asamended, from U.S. Department ofEducation.For every dollar raised by COM-FSM,

U.S. Department of Education willmatch it with two dollars.This is part of COM-FSM's long range

mission to build the principle of thisfund to somewhere between $10-$20million at which point the College woulduse the annual interest earned on thisfund to support programs for its students.Moses stated that the College haspledged not to use the principle fromthe fund for at least 10 years to allowgrowth.COM-FSM's immediate mission is to

provide an equal opportunity for aquality higher education; assist with thejob training needs of the nation; promoteeconomic development; foster a senseof national unity; preserve and enhancethe artistic and cultural heritage of thecommunity; encourage growth of theindividual as a person, as a citizen ofhis/her community, nation and the world,and as an enthusiastic and competentparticipant in his or her civilization andculture, Moses further stated.Moses stated that COM-FSM will give

permanent recognition to contributorsby showing on the wall of the newadministration building in Palikircampus as follows: Bronze Circle for$100 to $999; Silver Circle for $1000 to$9,999; Gold Circle for $10,000 to$24,000; Platinum Circle for $25,000 to$99,999; and Platinum Elite Circle for$100,000 and over contributions.

COM-FSM has raised $37,000 withthe help of numerous fund raisers sincethe drive kick-off dinner and iscontinuing the drive with food sales bystudents and staff, formation of an.Alumni Association, car washes, a math-a-thon and "supersale."

Moses concluded by solicitingeveryone to support COM-FSM throughtheir contributions.

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SWEARING-IN - Above are the 1996 U.S. Armed Forces enlistees being sworn-induring a cerelmony held at the U.S.Embassy in Konlonia, Pohnpei, June 18, this year.

Proclamation on CleanUp the World Week

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - FSMVice President Jacob Nena issued onAugust 13,19%, on behalf of PresidentBailey Olter, a proclamation designatingSeptember 16 to 22,1996, as Clean UpThe World Week, throughout theFederated States of Micronesia.

Over one hundred countriesthroughout the world will participate inthe 1996 Clean up the World Week, anevent that the FSM has participated inthe past, acknowledging the fragility ofthe FSM's ecosystem needing protectionand preservation for future generations.

By this proclamation, all citizens,residents, businesses, states and FSMgovernment and agencies are urged totake part in this event to ensure itssuccess throughout the FSM.

Copies of the proclamation wereforwarded to the governor of each of thefour FSM States.

Fellowships and trainingsprograms avaialable

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - The fourFSM State Governors, in July were tinformed of the availability of certainfellowships and training opportunitiesin the teaching, study, disseminationand wider appreciation of internationallaw, under the United Nation' s Programof Assistance to developing countries,including the FSM.

They are intended to provideopportunities for young scholars andgovernment officials, primarily fromdeveloping countries, to study andincrease their knowledge in the field ofinternational law and become familiarwith the work of the internationalorganizations.These include a three week seminar at

the Geneva International Law Seminarfor postgraduate students and youngprofessors or government officials inconjunction with meetings of theInternational Law Commission (ILC).

(See FELLOWSHIP, Page 6)

6 Doctorate..........(Continued from Page 1)

whose achievements are exemplaryand can serve as a motivational

j£ example to new students, an honor£, confered without the usual4 prerequisites.i In Dr. Ronald R. Hook's, invitationj| letter, he told President Olter that he

and a colleague, Dr. Ritz Carltonand an alumnus Endy Chen willhost a reception for President Olterand his party.

In the past, few of the leaders ofFSM have received HonoraryDoctorate Degrees from variousInstitutions of higher learning. Themost recent one was Resio Moses,FSM Permanent Representative tothe United Nations, and formerGovernor of Pohnpei State, as wellas Secretary of the Department ofExternal Affairs who received anHonorary Doctorate Degree fromthe University of Guam.The President was accompanied to

the ceremony by First Lady Amaliaand Elieser Rospel from InformationOffice. Also accompanied thePresident was Andy Chen of theChen & Associates of Guam, aalumni of the University and didarrangements of the occasion.

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PEC(Continued from Page 2)Forum," and a "Student Forum."

PREL, with Pacific service centersin Honolulu, Saipan, and Yap, is anindependent, nonprofit corporationfor educational research andimprovement, serving Pacificchildren and educators in AmericanSamoa, Commonwealth of theNorthern Mariana Islands,Federated States of Micronesia—Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap,Guam, Hawaii, Republic of theMarshall Islands, and the Republicof Palau.

PREL's mission is to assisteducation, government, communityagencies, businesses, and laborgroups to maintain cultural literacyand improve the quality of life byhelping to strengthen educationalprograms and processes forchildren, youth, and adults

US DONA TES HOSPITAL SUPPLIES TO FSM STA TES - FSM Vice President JacobNena requested the State Governments to pay for transportation costs of hospital suppliesfrom Pohnpei to each state. The supplies were donated to the FSM by the U.S.Government under the Humanitarian Assistance Program. The hospital supplies aredivided among the four FSM States and it will cost $1,800 each, to ship to Kosrae andYaptheir shares, and $5,000 to ship to Chuuk its share. Kosrae and Yap States are eachreceiving a 20-foot container, while Chuuk and Pohnpei States each get three 20-footcontainers. These hospital supplies include beds, sheets, steel tables, desks, doctor's andnurses' gowns, and numerous others, exceptpharmaceuticals or medicine. Above areU.S. Ambassador to the FSM March FongEu and Secretary of the Department of HealthServices Dr. EliuelPretrick signing docouments during the turn-over cermony held June5,1996 at the dock in Pohnpei.

Olter suggests Pohnpei StateFellowship . . . . . . . . pay its credit to be able to get

needed medication(Continued from Page 5)Available also at the International Law

Fellowship Program for mid-levelgovernment legal officers and youngteachersof international law are trainingprograms to deepen knowledge ofinternational law; provide opportunityfor frank and informal exchanges ofviews and increase practical experienceof legal work at the United Nations andits agencies.

Fellowships are also available at theHamilton Shirley AmerasingheMemorial Fellowship on the Law of theSea, dealing with post-graduate levelresearch, study and training in law ofthe sea and related marine affairs.Candidates must demonstrate advancedstudy capacity. Offers are available atvarious institutions in Geneva, Canada,United Kingdom, Netherlands and theUnited States.Finally, a fellowship for young lawyers,government officials, judges andarbitrators in International Trade Law,focuses on uniform commercial law.Interested individuals should contacttheir State Governor's Office.

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) -President Bailey Olter on June 21,1996informed Governor Del Pangelinan thatPohnpei State Government needs toallocate $330,000, in order for theDirector of Health and Human ServicesSupply Service Center in Perry Point,Maryland, to restore her credibility andpurchasing power or reputation to berestore.

Pohnpei must also recognize its debtof nearly a quarter of a million dollars,and enter into a binding agreement onretiring the balance of the debt.Consequently, Pohnpei will be able toresume cash on delivery (C.O.D.)purchase basis.

Olter stated that review by the FSMDepartment of Health Services revealedthat there is $230,000 worth of un-honored requisitions for medicalsupplies with the company in Perry Pointwhich cannot be filled because ofPohnpei's debt.

Olter said that he is optimistic aboutrestoring Pohnpei's ability to resumepurchase of medical supplies from thecompany if Pohnpei will agree with hissuggested way of retiring previous debtsand getting new medicine Pohnpeihospital now badly need.

Conference on Special Education andChildrenwith special needs held in Pohnpei

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - A joint-leadership conference on SpecialEducation and children with specialneeds was held in Pohnpei, May 14 to15,1996,participantsof which includedthe Secretaries of Education and HealthServices Departments from the FSMNational Government and theircounterparts from the states and* theirstaffs.The purpose of the conference was to

increase the opportunities forcollaboration between service providersto special needs children and theirfamilies in the FSM, pursuant to FSMPublic Law No. 8-21 and US PublicLaw No. 104-134. Funding in theamount of $4 million is readily availablefor 1996 and 1997 operations and hasbeen divided among the four Statesaccording to a FSM's formula whichthe U.S. Department of Educationfollows in allocation of states' shares.The formula calls for an equaldistribution of 50 percent of the moneyamong the four states; 30 percent is tobe distributed based on the number ofhandicapped children reported in eachstate; and 20 percent is based on thetotal school enrollment in each state.Because each state is responsible forsupplying these data, a Joint Inter-agency Agreement designed to promotecollaboration and cooperation betweenthe departments of Education and HealthServices at the national and the statelevels will enhance implementation ofSpecial Education and related program sin the FSM.The conference was jointly sponsored

by the FSM Departments of Educationand Health Services with consultantsfrom the Universities of Guam andHawaii, the University AffiliatedPrograms and the Western RegionalResource Center.

All participants from the states andthe national government, agreed thatthere is a need for collaboration andcooperation between departments andagencies including Special Education,Maternal and Child Health (MCH),Headstart, and the College of

Micronesia-FSM, whodeal with specialneeds children and their families.As a result, the Secretaries of Education

and Health Services of the NationalGovernment and State representativessigned a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) at the end of theconference which enumerates theresponsibilities of the respectivedepartments at the national and statelevels. The MOU also reiterated theircommitments for improved servicesthrough team work.

Secretary Catalino Cantero of theDepartment of Education and SecretaryEliuel Pretrick of the Department ofHealth Services stated cooperationbetween all of the education and healthdepartments will maximize services tochildren with special needs and theirfamilies and that at this critical time allmust work together.The conference documents showed thatfunding in 1996 available for SpecialEducation Program in FSM increasedto more than $3 million, proposeddistribution among the states in dollaramount are as follow: $620,000 forKosrae; $590,000 for Yap; $ 1.2 millionfor Pohnpei; and$ 1.3 million forChuuk,according to FSM Special EducationCoordinator Makir Keller.

1ST MICRONESIAN TOURNAMENT -Tip off of the championship gamesbetween Kosrae and Guam in the firstMicronesian Basketball ConfederationTournament held on Kosrae in July thisyear. Nine Micronesian islandsparticipated in the tournament. Guamwon the championship over Kosrae with02-62. Kosrae came in second andPohnpei, third.

CPAFFC invitesFSM to China

Vice President Jacob Nenainformed the State Governors inJuly of an invitation the FSMreceived through the ChineseEmbassy in Kolonia from theChinese People's Association forFriendship with ForeignCountries (CPAFFC) for a StateLeadership Delegation from theFSM to make a friendly visit toChina at the beginning ofSeptember of this year.

Nena says that informationabout the trip is being gathered.Meanwhile, he asked theGovernors to confirm if theirstates will participate in theproposed visit which will becomposed of a six to eightmember delegation includinggovernors and Legislaturespeakers.

The CPAFFC will bear allexpenses for board, lodging, andtransportation in China.

Public Auditor informedOlter he is auditing NationalGovernment travels

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - The newNational Public Auditor Rensly Sigrah,told President Bailey Olter that his officeis conducting an audit of the NationalGovernment travel activities todetermine whether applicable policiesand guidelines are followed. Sigrah'sletter dated June 20, 1996, stated thatthe purpose of the audit is to determinewhether or not the Travel Authorizations(TAs) are consistent with the FinancialManagement Regulations.

One of the requirements is that atraveler must submit a report on thepurpose of the trip, what wasaccomplished, and recommendations tothe Government for future action. Inthis connection, the Office of NationalPublic Auditor requested copies ofrandomly selected trip reports taken bystaff in the President's office beforeJuly 5, 1995, to be forwarded to hisoffice for review.

8 Descendant of Captain O 'Keefe attend opening ofO 'keefe Kanteen

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COLONIA, Pohnpei (FSMINFORMATION SERVICE) - A bigcrowd including local dignitariesgathered at the Yap International Airporton August 7 to welcome the arrival of adescendant of Captain David DeanO'Keefe to Yap, according to Youthand Civic Affairs Information OfficerWilly Gorongfel.

Charles O'Keefe Butler and his wifeJanet were accompanied by Bruce L.Campbell of the Pacific Daily News, amember of the Gannett group ofnewspapers, and the stringer for theNew York Times. Charles O'keefeButler is the great grandson of CaptainO'keefe.

The Butler's family visit to Yap wasorganized by Donald Evans, operator ofthe Ethnic Art Institute and the Eco-Tours in Yap to Coincide with theopening of the O'Keefe Kanteen inColonia. The O'Keefe Kanteen is built

at the sameplace where Captain O'Keefehas his Kanteen in the 1800's.

The O'Keefe's family traveled fromSavannah, Georgia to Yap to participatein the historic re-opening of CaptainDavid DeanO'Keefe'sKanteen, August9 which include the leadership of theState of Yap.

A presentation of a proclamation byMayor Floyd Adams, Jr. of Savannah as"Yap Week" in honor of the historicrelationship between the city and Yap.

Governor Figir on August 5 issued asimilar proclamation establishing thatAugust 9 of each year shall be observedas Captain David Dean O'Keefe Day inYap State in commemoration of CaptainO'Keefe and his contribution to theculture and history of the people of Yap.

The opening ceremony of the O'KeefeKanteen on August 9 include remarksby Governor Figir, Speaker RobertRuecho' and Chief Andrew Ruepong.

Olter appoints Governor and alternate Governor to ADBPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM

INFORMATION SERVICE) - FSMPresident Bailey Olter in June informedthe Asian Development Bank PresidentMitsuo Saito, of the appointment ofJohn Ehsa, Finance Secretary asGovernor, and Assistant Secretary ofExternal Affairs Lorin Robert, asAlternate Governor of the ADB,pursuant to Article 27 of the Articles ofAgreement.In a related activity, President Olter in

a diplomatic communication to thePresident of the International Bank forReconstruction and Developmentappointed also Ehsa and Resources andDevelopment Secretary SebastianAnefal, as Governor and Alternate

Governor, respectively. Allappointments took effect June 12,1996.

Ehsa was appointed by virtue of hisposition, ADB Alternate Governor LorinRobert has held this capacity for whichhe was reappointed and appointment ofAnefal was by virtue of his position.

The FSM became a member of theADB mid 1990. To date, the benefits tothe FSM from its membership includevarious annual technical and economicpolicy advisory missions fielded byADB to the FSM and the potential forlong-term, low interest soft loanincluding the already approved S6.5million fisheries development loan andthe proposed $ 12 million water resourcedevelopment project for the FSM.

The village of Maa,' Tomil presenteda traditional dance during the opening.Charles Butler presented an oil paintingportrait of Captain O'Keefe forinstalation in the Kanteen.

Donald Evans, organizer of the event,presented a statement of gratitude andFather Fran Hezel, an authority onMicronesian history, also delivered atthe closing remarks. Captain O'Keefe'sflag was unfurled and his Kanteen wasofficially opened.

Captain O'Keefe married CatherineMasters of Savannah and started a familythere before he left the city aboard theBelvedere. He became the sole survivorof a ship wreck on the Belvedere andwashed up on the reef on Southern Yapin 1871. He was nursed back to healthby a magician from Dulkan village.

O'Keefe, known to the Yapese onlyas "His Majesty" established his homeon Tarang Island in the Tomil Harbor.The island is known today as O'KeefeIsland.

The secret of O'Keefe success indealing with the Yapese was hisrecognition that the key to trade withthem was a traditional, not modemcommodity. He helped the Yapese inquarrying and transporting the highlyvalued stone money from Palau to Yapin exchange for copra. He skillfullybuilt alliances with Yapese chiefs,respected customs, and developed areputation as one who always dealt fairlyand above-board with the local people.

Because of this relationship, he builtan empire which dominated the copramarket in the region.

Captain O'Keefe disappeared at seain 1901 - probably the victim of atyphoon.

THE NATIONAL UNIONPublished by: The Office of the President/InformationFEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIAP.O. Box 34, PALIKIR STATIONPALIKIR, POHNPEI FM 96941The National Union is being proof read by the Business Support Agency in Pohnpei