VZCZCXRO5861
PP RUEHKN RUEHKR RUEHMJ
DE RUEHKN #0029/01 0700047
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110047Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY KOLONIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2225
INFO RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/COMNAVMARIANAS GU
RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO PRIORITY 0408
RUEHKR/AMEMBASSY KOROR PRIORITY 0310
RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 2588

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLONIA 000029 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR H 
EAP/ANP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP PGOV PREL EAID FM
SUBJECT: REPRESENTATIVE FALEOMAVAEGA'S VISIT HIGHLIGHTS COMPACT 
ISSUES 
 
REF: A.) STATE 17694; B.) KOLONIA 28 
 
¶1. (U) Summary.  Congressman Eni Faleomavaega came to Pohnpei 
March 3 to lead the election observation mission during national 
and state elections.  Congressman Faleomavaega remained on the 
island an additional six days and met with a number of national, 
state and traditional leaders.  During one briefing with the 
Ambassador, the Congressman indicated that Compact issues 
dominated his discussions with local officials.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) National and state elections in the Federated States of 
Micronesia (FSM) took place on March 3 (ref B).  The East-West 
Center conducted an election observation mission and Congressman 
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, Representative of American Samoa, served 
as Head of Delegation. 
 
¶3. (U) After the day of his arrival Embassy officers saw very 
little of the Congressman.  Rep. Faleomavaega followed most of 
the extensive schedule prepared by post, but he and the 
Micronesians apparently preferred to meet on their own, perhaps 
to encourage a more open dialogue.  During the week, in addition 
to visiting polling stations and attending receptions, the 
Congressman met with FSM President Emanuel Mori, Pohnpei State 
Governor John Ehsa, Cabinet Secretaries, national and state 
legislators, and officials associated with the Compact. 
 
MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR HUGHES 
 
¶4. (SBU) Rep. Faleomavaega discussed his early impressions when 
he met with Ambassador Hughes on March 4, the second day of his 
visit.  The Congressman noted that President Mori raised a 
number of issues regarding the Compact's implementation by the 
Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) and the Joint Economic 
Management Committee (JEMCO).  Apparently, the President 
believes OIA's criticism of the FSM's efforts implies that his 
government is corrupt and incompetent.  The Congressman then 
advised President Mori, "Don't be so polite."  When a problem 
exists the President must forcefully state his case to the upper 
levels of the U.S. executive branch, to President Obama or 
Secretary Clinton.  Otherwise, the problems will fester and 
remain unresolved.  The Congressman also wondered whether 
Compact administration more properly lies with USAID rather than 
Interior. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Hughes noted there are difficulties in 
fostering development in a far-flung island environment that is 
an emerging state of capacity.  She agreed that there was room 
for improvement.  She noted that the upcoming five-year Compact 
review might give the FSM a forum to air its grievances, and 
that the JEMCO members were open to discussion. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Rep. Faleomavaega opined that the FSM lacks the ability 
to build its own infrastructure and create an educated 
professional class.  Once the Compact expires (in the year 2024) 
he doubts the FSM has enough qualified people to run the 
country.  He said he told President Mori that the FSM needs a 
whole "nucleus" of professionals, including health care 
providers.  The FSM can not afford modern hospitals throughout 
the islands, so the Congressman believes resources should be 
concentrated on preventive health care. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Rep. Faleomavaega seemed well aware of tensions between 
the national government and the states.  The Congressman 
suggested President Mori could improve the relationship by 
talking to the state governors more often.  However, regardless 
of the problems the states may have with the country's 
federalist structure, it is the national government that must 
take the lead in setting national policy.  He urged President 
Mori to be more forceful in asserting the national government's 
prerogatives. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Finally, the Congressman expressed his views on 
veterans services in the FSM.  Many FSM citizens serve in the 
U.S. military, and Rep. Faleomavaega informed the Ambassador 
that he would act as an advocate on behalf of Micronesian active 
duty personnel.  The Congressman also believes Veterans Affairs 
should transfer benefits files for Micronesians from Pittsburgh 
to the regional office in Hawaii to provide better service. 
 
CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA PARTICIPATES IN MILITARY FUNERAL 
 
¶9. (U) On February 19, a 19 year old soldier with Micronesian 
and American citizenship, SPC Cwislyn Walter, was killed in an 
auto accident in Kuwait.  The family brought her remains back to 
Pohnpei for burial on March 5.  Major General Vern Miyagi of 
Pacific Command led a contingent of Guam National Guardsmen who 
 
KOLONIA 00000029  002 OF 002 
 
 
served as pallbearers and performed full military honors at SPC 
Walter's funeral. 
 
¶10. (U) Rep. Faleomavaega played an important role in expressing 
the USG's appreciation and condolences to the family.  He 
accompanied Ambassador Hughes out on the airport tarmac when 
Guardsmen transferred the casket from a C-17 to a waiting 
Embassy vehicle.  He made sure that SPC Walter's parents rode to 
the memorial service in comfort by offering them seats in his 
van.  He spoke at the memorial service and attended the burial 
the next day. [Note: additional reporting on the funeral will be 
provided septel.  End note] 
 
CONCLUSION 
 
¶11. (SBU) Rep. Faleomavaega is a true "rock star" for the 
Micronesians.  As soon as his trip was announced, local 
officials and private citizens alike inundated post with 
requests to see the Congressman.  While his schedule was booked 
solid for the entire week, post's lack of attendance at the 
Congressman's meetings precludes a full accounting of his 
activities.  However, based on his meeting with Ambassador 
Hughes and on other discussions throughout his week-long stay, 
it's apparent that the Congressman heard a number of complaints 
regarding Compact implementation.  Rep. Faleomavaega urged 
President Mori to assert the FSM's position more forcefully, 
both as a way to resolve the country's problems with the Compact 
and reinforce the national government's influence with the 
states. 
 
¶12. (U) The text of this cable was cleared by Congressman 
Faleomavaega's staff. 
HUGHESMK