[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4130-S4131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   KOSRAE AND THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA: OUR FRIENDS IN THE 
                           SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, for the last two weeks, I have had 
the great pleasure of sponsoring two Congressional fellows from the 
island of Kosrae. Mr. Lyndon Jackson and Mr. Charleton Timothy, 
legislative aides for the Government of Kosrae, have been working in my 
office since April 22 and will be leaving on May 9. They have been sent 
to Washington at the request of the speaker of the Kosrae State 
Legislature, the Honorable Hiteo S. Shrew, to learn more about our 
Nation's legislative and governmental processes.
  For their benefit, I thought I might take this opportunity to make 
some observations about Kosrae. As some of my colleagues know, Kosrae 
is one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific, located just 5 
degrees north of the

[[Page S4131]]

equator, about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. While only 42 square 
miles in size, it is well known throughout the region for its lush 
topography, beautiful beaches, clear blue waters, and rich coral reefs.
  I should tell my colleagues that the splendor of Kosrae is not 
exaggerated. My one and only visit to Kosrae took place fifty years ago 
this year, shortly after the end of World War II, when I had the good 
fortune to help crew the Morning Star, a schooner sent by the churches 
of Boston, MA, as part of a Christian mission to islands in Micronesia. 
The island was remarkably beautiful at that time, and I have been told 
that this continues to be the case.
  Although experiencing significant cultural changes over the past 
several decades, Kosrae's 8,000 inhabitants enjoy a casual, family 
oriented lifestyle. Fishing is a significant recreational and 
commercial activity. Kosrae is a major exporter of tuna to Guam and 
other Pacific islands. The island also has an abundance of citrus 
products and is particularly known for its sweet tangerines. And Kosrae 
handicrafts, such as their unique coconut baskets and trays, are 
renowned throughout the region.
  Kosrae is a single-island state that is part of the Federated States 
of Micronesia [FSM], formerly known as the United Nations Trust 
Territory of the Pacific Islands. As trustee of the territory in the 
years following World War II, the United States was responsible for 
preparing the islands for eventual self-government, by helping develop 
their political, economic, and social institutions.
  In 1978, the four territorial districts of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and 
Kosrae organized to form the Federated States of Micronesia, an action 
which became effective 1979 after the adoption of the Federation's 
draft constitution. The Federated States comprise 607 small islands, 
totaling only 270 square miles of land, spread across more than 1 
million square miles of the Pacific.

  In 1986, after years of negotiations with our government, the FSM 
entered into the Compact of Free Association. The trusteeship was 
terminated at that time. The United States exercised no further 
administrative responsibility, and the island nation became fully self-
governing. The terms of the compact generally provided for a framework 
of United States assistance, in return for which the FSM delegated 
security responsibility to the United States. This agreement has been 
in effect since November of 1986 with renegotiation of its financial 
provisions to start in November of 1999.
  Mr. President, in the period since the signing of the Compact, the 
close relationship between the United States and FSM has in some 
respects become stronger. The FSM has established constitutional 
governments at the national, state, and municipal levels that are 
patterned after our own. And in appreciation for our investment in 
Micronesia's quest for self-sufficiency, the FSM has reciprocated by 
maintaining strong political, economic, educational, and cultural ties.
  The FSM has also been a strong supporter in the United Nations on key 
issues of concern to the United States For instance, the FSM has 
consistently voted with the United States on such major issues as the 
situation in Bosnia, the Middle East peace process, and human rights in 
Iran and Iraq.
  Mr. President, I expect the strong relationship between the peoples 
of Micronesia and the United States to grow stronger and richer in the 
years ahead, as the FSM's experiment in American-style democracy 
continues. As the November 1999 date for renegotiating the compact of 
Free Association draws closer, I hope that my colleagues who have not 
yet had an opportunity to do so will take the opportunity to visit this 
unique and lovely place, and to acquaint themselves with the needs of 
Micronesia's people as well as the unique opportunities that the region 
offers our nation.

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