“We are here to discuss ways by which we could work together,” the president told his fellow citizens who have migrated to Guam. “We are doubling our efforts in the FSM government,” he added, “to address the problems of Compact Impact and the burden placed on U.S. governments by immigrants from Micronesia.”
But Mori and other speakers from the FSM also pointed out that the Compacts of Free Association were a quid-pro-quo with the Freely Associated States.
The U.S. government has full authority and responsibility for security and defense matters relating to the FSM, and is provided with exclusive military rights to FSM waters, land and airspace.
Also attending the meeting were several members of the FSM Congress and officials of the Mori administration. Listening to the presentations and offering understanding and help from the U.S. federal government were Tony Babauta, the assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, and Nick Pula, also from the Office of Insular Affairs.
They will attend another meeting tonight, expressly for migrants from Chuuk State, also at the Dededo center
Earlier, Mori met with the governor’s cabinet and representatives to go over several issues concerning citizens of the Freely Associated States.
Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares was among the attendees. She said Mori is on Guam after receiving a letter from members of Congress about incidents relating to FAS residents here, in Hawaii and the U.S. mainland.
“Living conditions are one area of concern as well as health care,” Savares said. “Some of the concerns are not being addressed.”
She said Mori mentioned how when people migrate from the FAS, they do so without any restrictions.
“They are told they can go, provided it’s for education and better paying jobs (and) better infrastructure as far as utilities and roads,” she said, adding Mori admitted the FSM is not equipped with adequate infrastructure.
Savares further stated Mori is hoping to work on some sort of intervention or education before families start their migration process so they can familiarize themselves with the laws of the regions they move to.
There was also some discussion about the recent stabbing incidents involving two alleged Chuukese gangs. Savares said it’s unfortunate a few bad apples cause others to attribute negative stereotypes against the Micronesian community, which is something Mori would like to resolve.
