In an effort to improve transparency in its service delivery, the Embassy will now embark on a new feature on its website providing periodic snapshots of its monthly activities. The aim is to continue to be transparent in keeping citizens of the FSM informed of what is happening at the Embassy here in the United States.
Passing of President Jacob Nena in Sacramento, California – The month of July ended with a great sense of loss and sadness as citizens throughout the United States, particularly the Kosraean community, gathered to pay tribute and bid farewell to the late President Jacob Nena. He passed away and was also laid to rest in Sacramento, California. The Embassy represented President Panuelo and the FSM Leadership at the funeral services.
Washington Rounds of Negotiation – The Embassy was preoccupied during the month of August with the Washington Rounds of Compact negotiations between the FSM Government and the United States. These meetings were held from 05 – 08 August, with many internal preparatory meetings by the Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning (JCRP) leading up to the negotiation round. The two sides were led by their respective lead negotiators, Leo A. Falcam, Jr., and Ambassador Joseph Yun. More information on the Washington Round of Negotiations can be found at https://jcrp.gov.fm/compact/fsm-u-s-chief-negotiators-meet-in-washington-dc-to-discuss-continued-u-s-assistance-under-amended-compact-of-free-association/.
Condolence Book Opened for the late Vice President George – During the month of August, the FSM was deeply saddened by the passing of the late Hon. Yosiwo P. George, Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia. Following a Presidential Proclamation on August 15th, the Embassy opened a Condolence book from 17 – 19 August 2022. This allowed many foreign dignities and friends to sign the book and paid tribute to the late Vice President.
U.S-Pacific Island Country Summit in D.C. – Preparations are underway during this month of August with meetings and briefings held by the US Government in preparations of its hosting of the upcoming Summit in DC on 28 – 29 September of this year. Pacific Island leaders will descend on D.C. to meet with President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The Embassy has been participating in the preparatory meetings for this Summit.
Monthly Meeting with Customs & Border Protection – Monthly meetings continued to be held by the Embassy with technical staff from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) in efforts to work through some of the challenges facing FSM citizens living in the United States. The August meeting allowed both sides to acknowledge progress made by CBP on some of the technical issues relating to immigrations including the issue of I-94s. While the meetings had been carried on between CBP and the Embassy, there is great recognition to bring into the circle other stakeholders from both sides to participate.
Biweekly Meetings with Counterparts at the US Department of State – The Embassy continued to hold biweekly meetings at a technical level with its designated counterpart in the Office of Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands (ANP), Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, US Department of State. These biweekly meetings are designed to allow both sides to discuss matters of mutual interest. A whole range of bilateral issues are discussed informally in a friendly setting.
Embassy bits farewell to its Intern, Mr. Alec Weiker – Over the Summer, Alec Weiker who is a student at Georgetown University completed his three (3) months of internship with the Embassy. Mr. Weiker did a lot of technical work at the Embassy including and most notably his effort to compile Medicaid information specific to citizens of the FSM, which is now available on the Embassy’s website.
FSM Opens its borders and ICE started working on its list of deportees – During the coronavirus pandemic as the FSM closed its borders from 2020, citizens who were to be deported by the US Government were denied entry into the FSM. Some of them were released by ICE into the communities to await the opening of borders. With the FSM borders opened as of August 1st, ICE is now working on its list of deportees to ensure the process of deportation for these citizens is back on track again.
For more information about the events, please call the Embassy of the FSM in D.C. at (202)223-2343, email at dcmission@fsmembassy.fm, or leave a message on the Embassy’s website by utilizing the ‘Contact Us’ feature on its website at fsmembassy.fm.
