FSM Information Services
Press Release
Message from President David W. Panuelo to the People & Government of the United States
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On January 7th, 2021, His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, sent a letter to the People and Government of the United States of America. The text of the letter is below, and the diplomatic note and letter may be found here: https://gov.fm/files/President_Panuelo_letter_to_the_People_and_Government_of_the_United_States_of_America.pdf
------------
Dear People & Government of the United States of America,
The People and Government of the Federated States of Micronesia woke up this morning of January 7th, 2021, to watch in abject horror as President Donald J. Trump openly solicited acts of domestic terrorism against the People and Government of the United States of America. At the time of this writing, the People of Micronesia have witnessed the U.S. President reject democracy and democratic principles, and endorse fascism, by openly calling on his supporters to overthrow the will of the American public and the democratic process, resulting in domestic terrorists entering the chambers and offices of U.S. Senators and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the death of at least one innocent person.
The People and Government of the Federated States of Micronesia are typically among the most ardent supporters of American values and American policies. We enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces at a higher rate per capita than any U.S. State. Many of our leaders, including myself, are proud alumni of American institutes of higher learning. Micronesia votes with the United States in more than 90% of America’s preferred preference at the United Nations. Our Micronesian democracy is based in large part on the American form of governance. Micronesians genuinely believe in democracy, and upholding democratic institutions, which we were taught by our American partners.
The People and Government of the Federated States of Micronesia stand in total support of the People and Government of the United States of America during this time of crisis, but we do so by also acknowledging loudly and boldly that our support to our Enduring Partnership is because we know in our hearts that we are family with shared values. When President Trump says, and I quote, “We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, and we’re going to the Capitol, and we’re…going to try to give them the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country—so let’s walk down Pennsylvania Avenue,” the People and Government of the Federated States of Micronesia recognize that as an act of insurrection. We denounce the actions of President Trump and his supporters, which we recognize as undemocratic, violent, and entirely contrary to the spirit of American concepts of liberty.
The United States of America has historically and rightfully possessed a reputation as the World’s foremost champion of democracy and the rule of law. U.S. President Trump’s actions, and the actions of his supporters, are now metaphorically attacking that reputation by literally assaulting America’s citadel of liberty, its Capitol.
The People and Government of the Federated States of Micronesia is a remarkably close friend of the People and Government of the United States of America. We remain a remarkably close friend to you all. But friends have an obligation to look their friends in the eye and tell them when something is wrong, and when their behavior is unacceptable. What President Trump is doing is wrong, and what his supporters are doing is wrong. These behaviors are unacceptable. President Trump’s actions are harmful to the People and Government of the United States of America.
As President-Elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. said, “At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we have seen in modern times. An assault on the citadel of liberty, the Capitol itself; an assault on the People’s representatives, the Capitol Hill Police sworn to protect them, and public servants who work at the heart of our Republic. An assault on the rule of law…an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings, the doing of the People’s business. …The scenes of the chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America, and do not reflect who we are.”
The America that I know is about decency, honor, respect, and love for one another. That decency, honor, respect, and love still exists—we recently saw it in the restoration of Medicaid for Micronesian citizens living in the United States—but maintaining it in the face of domestic insurrectionists is no doubt an arduous task. There is nothing that the United States cannot do if it acts united. From tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic to Climate Change, the United States remains the single best hope for preserving democracy, and preserving our Planet’s environment from Climate Change, that the World has seen. The People and Government of the Federated States of Micronesia stand with the People and Government of the United States of America during this challenging time of domestic terrorism promulgated by fascist interventionists, spurred on by the U.S. President.
Micronesia extends peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity to all peoples and nations, and most especially the People and Government of the United States of America at this time. We express our sympathies for these recent events, and have trust in the People and Government of the United States of America to heal and grow beyond today’s events.
David W. Panuelo
President of the Federated States of Micronesia