Vice President Alik Celebrates FSM National
Day at Shangai World Expo
Press Release #0810-29
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 30, 2010

Shanghai, China (FSM Public Information Office): August 30, 2010 –  As the Chinese Military Band was playing, the flag of the Federated States of Micronesia was raised at the East Square of the World Expo Center in Shanghai at 10:30AM on August 29, 2010; in an official ceremony observed by Vice President Alik; Tu Guangshao, Vice Mayor of Shanghai; and the FSM and Chinese Delegations.

Following the Flag-Raising Ceremony, the officials regrouped for an informal gathering at the Welcome Hall of the Expo Center.  Alik thanked the Chinese Government for their financial and technical support which made FSM’s participation in the World Expo a reality.  “We truly appreciate the opportunity to be part of the World Expo,” said Alik, “and we continually look forward to working with the Chinese Government for future projects.” “Our cooperation at the World Expo is a symbol of the good relationship between our two countries,” said Guangshao, “this year marks the 21st anniversary of the diplomatic ties between FSM and China; we hope this World Expo will continue to enhance our relationship.”

Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police meet to discuss “Local Issues, Local Solutions, Regional Cooperation”
Press Release #0910-03
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
September 2, 2010

Palikir, Pohnpei (39th Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Conference Communiqué): September 2, 2010 –  The annual meeting of the 39th Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) was held in Brisbane, Australia on August 24-26, 2010. The theme for the conference was “Local issues, local solutions, regional cooperation" and was hosted and chaired by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).  FSM Chief of National Police, Pius Chotailung, attended this conference as a representative of FSM.

Draft FSM School Accreditation System Available for Public Review
Press Release #0910-01
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
September 2, 2010

Palikir, Pohnpei (National Department of Education): September 2, 2010 –  In order to meet the mandatory requirements of the FSM Code Title 40, Chapter 1, subsection 108, on the Accreditation of Elementary and Secondary schools, the FSM National Department of Education (NDOE), in collaboration with State Departments of Education, FSM College of Micronesia and representatives of private schools, has developed a draft FSM School Accreditation System.

Portrait of the Chuukese Dance Troupe at the Shanghai World Expo    
Press Release #0810-30
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 29, 2010
Shanghai, China (FSM Public Information Office): August 30, 2010 –  The 17 Chuukese Dancers from Namoluk Island of Chuuk State performed the “Tokia” dance, also known as the Stickdance, at the Pacific Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo throughout the weekend of August 28 and 29, in honor of the FSM National Day being celebrated by Vice President Alik and the 16 member FSM Delegation.

Portrait of the Yapese Dance Troupe at the Shanghai World Expo    
Press Release #0810-31
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 29, 2010

Shanghai, China (FSM Public Information Office): August 29, 2010 –  Martin Ruwniyol has coached, organized and supported dancers from Nimar Village of the Weloy Municipality in Yap for close to 30 years.  On August 28 and 29, he was able to participate in the opportunity of a lifetime: lead his 16 dancers into a series of phenomenal performances at the Pacific Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo to celebrate the FSM National Day.On August 28, the Yapese dancers showcased their performance 4 times throughout the day.  The performances were enthusiastically received by several hundred visitors at each session.  Chen Lei, one of the Performing Arts Managers of the World Expo, called them “the rainbow dancers,” a thought triggered by the colorful costumes of red, yellow, blue and green, worn by the dancers.  Leo Pugram, one of the 5 male dancers, explains that the colors of the costumes “represent the beauty of the island of Yap.”

New Secretary of the Department of Resources and Development, Marion Henry, Sworn In by President Mori
Press Release #0810-27
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 27, 2010
Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Public Information Office): August 27, 2010 –  Marion Henry was sworn into office as the Secretary of the Department of Resources and Development for the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia on August 13, 2010.

President Mori administered the Oath of Office to Henry in a short ceremony on the second day of the Mortlocks Islands Leadership Conference in Lekinioch, Chuuk State. The Oath of Office was witnessed by the Leadership of the Mortlocks and the President’s Cabinet Members who were accompanying the President on his state visit to the Mortlocks Islands. Henry replaces former Secretary Peter Christian who was recently elected to the FSM Congress.  Henry has been working for the government, for Chuuk State, since 1985; and for the FSM National government since 2004, when he became the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Fisheries Unit with the FSM Department of Economic Affairs.  From 2005 to 2010, Henry was the Assistant Secretary for the Department of Resources and Development. 

Vice President Alik arrives in Shanghai for FSM National Day Celebration at World Expo   
Press Release #0810-28
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 30, 2010
Shanghai, China (FSM Public Information Office): August 30, 2010 –  Vice President Alik, accompanied by his wife Shra Alik, arrived in Shanghai on August 28, 2010, to attend the FSM National Day Celebration at the World Expo Pacific Pavilion.

Alik was welcomed at Shanghai International Airport by Ambassador Hu Qianwen; Zhao Weiping, Deputy Director General of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Fu Jihong, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai.  Along with the Chinese Welcoming Party, Akillino Susaia, FSM Ambassador to China, Carl Apis, Deputy Chief of Mission of the FSM Embassy to China, and Brendy Carl, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), were also present at the airport to meet with Alik.
Other members of the FSM Delegation arrived in Shanghai the day before Alik, including: Marion Henry, Secretary of the Department of Resources and Development; Senators Christian, Halbert, Welly and Mori; Governor Weilbacher of Kosrae; Governor Ehsa of Pohnpei; Assistant Secretary Elieisar of FSM DFA; Speaker Pelep of Pohnpei State Legislature;

New Weather Service Buildings to be Build in Pohnpei
Press Release #0810-26
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 25, 2010
Palikir, Pohnpei: August 25, 2010 – A one year Lease Agreement, automatically renewable for a maximum period of twenty years, was signed on August 20, 2010, between the FSM State of Pohnpei and the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on behalf the National Weather Service, Pacific Region.  This lease authorizes the NOAA to build, operate and maintain a U.S. National Weather Service Office on the three parcels of land located in Kolonia Town, which it currently occupies.In exchange for the lease, NOAA will make available to the State of Pohnpei, without compensation, the services and related programs of the U.S. National Weather Service.  Such services include supporting the FSM National Weather Service; and providing equipment, training and maintenance support for the FSM personnel.  The Weather Service Office in Pohnpei currently employs 12 people and no change is expected as a result of the new construction.

29 Students Receive Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies
Press Release #0810-25
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 24, 2010
Palikir, Pohnpei: August 24, 2010 – The FSM National Scholarship Board (the Board) convened on June 2, 2010, to review scholarship applications submitted by undergraduate students attending the 2010-2011 Fall, Spring and Summer terms.  The Board, pursuant to its selection requirements, reviewed the priority fields, dates of graduation and GPAs of the 18 candidates who submitted their applications and found that 15 applicants were qualified to receive a scholarship.  The 15 scholarship recipients have chosen to major in the following areas: Law, Elementary Education, Economy, Accounting, Computer Information System, Marine Science, Liberal Arts and Micronesian Studies.  The scholarships were awarded from funds made available under the National Scholarship Program, the US Sector Grant and the “Sin Tax” Scholarship Program, and totaled $39,234.

Vice President Alik Receives the Ambassador of Germany
Press Release #0810-18
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 16, 2010
 
Palikir, Pohnpei: August 16, 2010 -  On the occasion of his visit to the FSM from August 11-12, His Excellency Ambassador Christian- Ludwig Weber-Lortsch paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Alik L. Alik on August 11, 2010, in the President’s conference room.  The purpose of his visit was to seek support for Germany’s candidature for one of the two non-permanent seats of the United Nations Security Council in the WEOG, for which an election is slated to be held in October this year. 

Operation Island Chief conducts Surveillance across FSM, PNG, RMI, Nauru and Kiribati Waters
Press Release #0810-23
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 24, 2010
Palikir, Pohnpei: August 24, 2010 (FFA Regional Headquarters, Honiara, Solomon Islands) – This year's Operation Island Chief, a surveillance operation involving FSM, PNG, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati and the US, coordinated by the FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre, ended yesterday with success in the region's activities to deter illegal fishing.

APAFS organizes Pohnpei Country Conference on Managing Trust Funds as a Fiduciary
Press Release #0810-24
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 24, 2010
Palikir, Pohnpei: August 24, 2010 (APAFS, Guam) – The Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS), headquartered in Guam, a non-profit association which aims to raise the level of understanding and standards of practice among fiduciaries in the region, is hosting the 2010 Pohnpei Country Conference on Thursday, September 9, at the COM-FSM Main Campus Multi Purpose Room from 8am to 4pm.

Beware of E-mail Scams Coming to the FSM
Press Release #0810-20
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 20, 2010

Palikir, Pohnpei: August 18, 2010 -  Following, is an excerpt from an e-mail received in May 2010, by Wilson Waguk, FSM Banking Commissioner:  “Hello My Dear, How Is Your Family?  Contact Western Union money transfer office immediate to give you $5000.00 dollars.  I told them to keep sending you $5,000.00 daily until the payment of $800,000 USD is completed.  You’re File No. is KGU/8020182590.”  The e-mail goes on to request that you provide your name, address, telephone number and account number.  “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said John Mahan, Assistant Attorney General for the FSM Department of Justice (DOJ). 

Secretary Skilling Connects with Health Educators in Japan for Assistance in FSM
Press Release #0810-21
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 19, 2010

Palikir, Pohnpei: August 18, 2010 -  The Secretary of Health and Social Affairs, Honorable Vita Skilling, visited Japan from July 26 to August 4, 2010, on an invitation by the Association of Medical Educators in the Western Pacific Region (AMEWPR).  The visit was sponsored by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF). 

Continental Announces Introductory Chuuk-Manila Direct Flight Service
Press Release #0810-22
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
August 19, 2010

Palikir, Pohnpei: August 19, 2010 (Continental Airlines Corporate Communications) – Continental announced today the first non-stop return flight service between Chuuk International Airport (TKK) and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) with an introductory flight on December 7, 2010.