PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMIS) — The Federated States of Micronesia Congress is considering a resolution calling to halt a shipment of dangerous plutonium MOX through the Pacific region during the next few months.
“Congress is greatly concerned about the potential risks to the health, safety, security, sustainability and well-being of the people, environment, and economy of the FSM posed by the shipment of such hazardous materials through the region,” according to the resolution.
According to representatives of the Green Peace who were in Pohnpei to warn the FSM leaders about the shipment, a British ship is planning to enter the FSM’s waters between the states of Pohnpei and Kosrae, carrying toxic materials.
The resolution was introduced during the first day of the current session.
Meanwhile, Congress confirmed by a 13 to 1 vote the nomination of attorney Dennis Yamase to the position of associate justice for the FSM Supreme Court.
Yamase is the fifth person confirmed by the Congress to serve on the FSM Supreme Court as a justice. He replaces Associate Justice Richard Benson who resigned from the post in June 2001.
Chief Justice King resigned his post and was replaced by Chief Justice Amarach. Justice Yinug also serves on the appellate court.
Yamase has been a practicing attorney for 18 years and has extensive legal experience in Micronesia, first in the FSM where he served as legislative counsel to the FSM Congress and later in Palau. Yamase also assisted the Northern Marianas as executive director of the CNMI Law Revision Commission.
Recently, Yamase was responsible for codifying the laws of the FSM as a consultant with the Asian Development Bank.
Members expressed support of the nomination because of his experience in the islands and sensitivity to the customs and traditions of Micronesia.
During discussion, few members raised disappointment regarding the reporting of revenue forecasts made by the Department of Finance and Administration.
Members complained that the department has been inconsistent in its reporting on revenue projection. The department has two reports within the past 10 days with two different forecasts.
