FSM Information Services
Press Release
4th FSM Constitutional Convention’s Special Committee to Wait on the President Informs President Panuelo of Temporary Recess; Public Outreach to Occur Until ConCon Reconvenes in February
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On January 22nd 2020 His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), received the 4th FSM Constitutional Convention’s Special Committee to Wait on the President, accompanied by the Honorable Salvador Iriarte, Vice President of the Constitutional Convention (and Iso Nahnken of Nett), who updated President Panuelo on the goings-on of the Constitutional Convention. The primary outcomes of the meeting include that the Constitutional Convention, as of January 22nd 2020, is in recess until the end of February, wherein the Convention will reconvene; in the meantime, the delegations will begin a public awareness campaign on the various proposals.
The Special Committee to Wait, which is Chaired by the Honorable Akillino H. Susaia in his capacity as a delegate representing Pohnpei State (though he is also the Ambassador of the FSM to the United States of America), began by describing the 4th Constitutional Convention’s plans.
“Thank you for this opportunity to meet, Mr. President,” Chairman Susaia said. “We stand in recess today [January 22nd 2020], subject to the call of the Chair. Perhaps somewhere around February 22nd [we’ll reconvene]. The [current] marching orders from the Chair and Leadership is that each delegation goes back to their respective communities, and do consultations on the [proposed amendments and additions].”
The Special Committee to Wait on the President advised that the Yap, Chuuk, and Pohnpei delegations would appreciate the usage of the FSM’s patrol boats to ensure that remote communities can be fully engaged with the goings-on of the Constitutional Convention.
It was advised that approximately sixty (60) proposals have been introduced so far—but that this should not be taken as alarming, as at present several proposals may be related to just one issue and thus the final number that emerges when the Constitutional Convention is concluded is likely to be different.
“The Constitutional Convention is a crucially important activity,” President Panuelo said. “You can all be assured that I will give the strongest support in every aspect going forward.”
President Panuelo advised that some of the pending financial matters, that are of deep import to the Constitutional Convention and its delegates, were being addressed by the Department of Finance & Administration as their top priority before the delegations depart Pohnpei for public outreach.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Chairman Susaia said. “I think the committee is satisfied with what you shared with us.”
The 4th FSM Constitutional Convention is maintaining a website inclusive of public information materials, such as proposed amendments, here: http://constitution.gov.fm/
