Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KOLONIA12
2009-01-27 06:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kolonia
Cable title:  

COMPLAINTS OVER COMPACT ADMINISTRATION HEARD AT OPENING

Tags:  PREL PGOV EAID FM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5595
PP RUEHKN
DE RUEHKN #0012 0270616
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270616Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KOLONIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2188
INFO RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 2549
UNCLAS KOLONIA 000012 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/ANP, ALCY FRELICK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID FM
SUBJECT: COMPLAINTS OVER COMPACT ADMINISTRATION HEARD AT OPENING
CONGRESSIONAL SESSION

UNCLAS KOLONIA 000012

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/ANP, ALCY FRELICK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID FM
SUBJECT: COMPLAINTS OVER COMPACT ADMINISTRATION HEARD AT OPENING
CONGRESSIONAL SESSION


1. (U) SUMMARY: Senators Halbert and Urusemal criticized the
administration of the Compact during the recent opening of the
FSM Congressional session. Post believes the remarks reflect
frustration with the lack of progress on infrastructure projects
and not increased anti-American sentiment. END SUMMARY


2. (U) The Sixth Regular Session of the Fifteenth FSM Congress
opened on January 26. After Speaker Figir convened the Session,
Dohsis Halbert, who is a senior (eleven-term) Senator from
Pohnpei State, took the floor and read a prepared speech.


3. (U) Senator Halbert began by lauding the inauguration of
President Obama, stating that he and his countrymen "are anxious
to see new changes." He quoted a passage from President Obama's
speech: "...all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a
chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." Senator
Halbert then pointed to JEMCO and the Trust Fund Board to assert
that "all are not equal, all are not free, and not all deserve a
chance to pursue their full measure of happiness [emphasis
added]." As far as the Compact is concerned, "the majority
rules and the minority suffers (sic)," he said.


4. (U) Senator Halbert went on to say that the FSM doesn't want
"stringent" decisions by the Office of Insular Affairs. He
claimed the FSM Constitution had been treated as "subservient"
to the Compact's Fiscal Procedures Agreement. The Senator then
quoted Harry S. Truman's remark that "if you can't stand the
heat get out of the kitchen." Senator Halbert stated that while
the FSM does not want to get out, it also does not want to get
"burned." He questioned whether the FSM will ever benefit from
Compact infrastructure projects "during our lifetime."


5. (U) Senator Halbert also pinned his hopes on the upcoming
Compact Review "to allow [the FSM] to benefit more as originally
envisioned."


6. (U) The at-large Senator and former FSM President from Yap,
Joseph J. Urusemal, a 21-year veteran of the national
government, followed Senator Halbert's criticism with some of
his own. He coupled his best wishes for the new Obama
administration with complaints about the Compact's
infrastructure administration.


7. (SBU) COMMENT: It should be noted that two other Senators,
Senator Resio S. Moses from Pohnpei and Senator Paliknoa K.
Welly from Kosrae, had nothing but praise for the FSM-U.S.
relationship. Senator Welly went out of his way to thank the
U.S. for sending teams to assess the damage caused by last
month's tidal surges. Post believes that Senators Moses and
Welly's comments accurately mirror the prevalent Micronesian
view that American assistance is worthwhile and appreciated.
However, Senators Halbert and Urusemal's comments also reflect
the frustration many FSMG officials feel about Compact
implementation, particularly in the infrastructure sector.

HUGHES