The meeting was held in the Pohnpei State Hospital Conference Room in Nett with high-level attendants from both governments. Facilitating the meeting was James Naich, chargé d’affaires, of the FSM Embassy in Washington D.C.
The genesis of the JCM process is provided under Title III provision of the Compact of Free-Association Treaty, as amended, and serves as consultative mechanism whereby high-level officials from both governments gather, on an annual basis, to discuss common issues of mutual importance to both countries, under the purview of security and defense, and related engagements.
Aside from an overview presentation of America’s current military engagements and activities held in the FSM, the meeting discussed issues relating to the recently held Pacific Partnership Mission held in the FSM last July, the U.S. Civic Construction Action Detail program or CCAD, which has sponsored the rehabilitation of the Pohnpei State Hospital’s Mental and Substance Abuse Center, educational infrastructures at Ohmine and PIC Schools, and the renovation of the Pohnpei State Public Library. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the projects was held on Nov. 16, prior to the commencement of the JCM.
The meeting also covered discussions on the current operations of the FSM Transnational Crime Unit or TCU, recent enlistment of FSM citizens in the U.S. armed forces, which included efforts to restore ASVAB testing in Chuuk, and updates on the ongoing military buildup on Guam.
On her first time to attend the JCM process, presentation of engagements of the U.S. Coast Guard in the FSM by Capt. Casey White highlighted the critical need to develop an operational procedure to guide search and rescue operations in the FSM.
Discussions also included issues of boating safety and ongoing efforts for legislation, as well as the Shipriders Agreement, and updates on a proposal from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, all of which complements FSM’s continuing efforts to provide better surveillance of its vast maritime Exclusive Economic Zone.
The upcoming project to renovate the roofing system of the Pohnpei State Hospital by the U.S. Army Corps of Civil Engineers under the Humanitarian Assistance-FSM program was also discussed with much anticipation for final completion.
The U.S. ended its items of discussion with a presentation of the update on the upcoming annual Operation Christmas Drop, which is planned for Dec. 12 to 19. The JCM noted the significance of this year’s operation which will mark the 60th anniversary of the Operation Christmas Drop; thus, further maintaining its impressive record as the longest drop mission in the history of the United States military.
Two new agenda items were presented by the FSM, which included air and sea vessel entry consultations and, at the request of the U.S., a briefing by the FSM on WWII oil leaks in Chuuk.
The JCM formally concluded with both governments’ endorsement of the 2011 JCM Action Items for the 2012 JCM to be hosted by the U.S.
Peter Prahar, U.S. ambassador to the FSM, headed the American delegation with prominent military representatives, namely Rear Adm. Paul Bushong, commander of the Joint Region Marianas and U.S. Defense Representative to the FSM, Col. Doug Sevier, of the U.S. Air Force out of USPACOM in Hawaii, and Capt. Casey White, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector on Guam.
Lorin S. Robert, secretary of Foreign Affairs of the FSM, headed the FSM delegation, along with other cabinet members: Francis Itimai, secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure; Dr. Rufino Mauricio, secretary of the Department of Education; Evelyn Adolph, director of the Office of Statistics, Budget, Overseas Aid and Compact Management; Andrew Yatilman, director of the Office of Environment and Emergency Management; and the deputy secretary of Foreign Affairs, Samson Pretrick.
Representatives from the FSM states included Kosrae Gov. Lyndon Jackson of Kosrae State, Pohnpei Lt. Gov. Churchill Edwards and Ruotpong Pongliyab, director of the Youth & Civic Affairs of Yap state.
