The visit was an official trip to meet with FSM leadership to discuss progress under the Amended Compact as well as open a dialogue regarding the impact of growing migration from the FSM to the United States. During their trip the staff delegation was accompanied by U.S. Embassy economic/consular officer David Reynolds.
On Monday, Stayman and Edwards met with Chuuk Gov. Wesley Simina. The staffers then toured the Chuuk State Hospital with Department of Health Director Julio Marar where they looked at improvements from the Amended Compact as well as two unused dialysis chairs donated by Israel. In the evening, Stayman and Edwards met with American business and community leaders at the Truk Stop Hotel in Weno.
The following day, the staffers joined Chuuk State Director of Education Gardenia Aisek to visit Compact-funded school facilities on Fefan and Tonoas islands. While some schools were in the middle of commencement preparations, others appeared to have already closed for the year. In the afternoon, Stayman and Edwards held a joint meeting on the status of the project with representatives from the FSM National Government’s Project Management Unit, construction company Pacific International, Inc., and construction manager Stanley-Setiadi. Although the Weno road project is progressing there have been many setbacks to construction. The staffers then met with Chuuk State Legislature’s Vice Speaker Garson Billy, Floor Leader Martin Edward, and Chairman Keeper Lippwe to discuss issues of FSM migration to the U.S.
In addition to meetings with the Chuuk leadership, the staffers also met with the staff of the Chuuk Financial Control Commission, as well as Chuuk Women’s Council members and president Christina “Kiki” Stinnett.
On Wednesday, Stayman and Edwards held an out briefing during their stop over at Pohnpei International Airport. Attending the meeting was U.S. Ambassador Peter A. Prahar, Deputy Chief of Mission Lori P. Dando and embassy staff, FSM Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Secretary Jane Chigiyal, and FSM Office of Statistics, Budget, Overseas Development Assistance and Compact Management Director Fabian Nimea.
