the Nahnmwarki of Sokehs, Pohnpei Gov. John Ehsa, Vice Speaker Bernie Martin, Sen. Roger S. Mori and Sen. Dohsis Halbert of the FSM Congress, Associate Justice Dennis K. Yamase, Wasai Sokehs, members of the diplomatic corps, several national government and Pohnpei state government cabinet members and staff, students from the College of Micronesia, a student choir from the Seventh-Day Adventist School, and several interested citizens and friends gathered at the front of the FSM Congress chamber to commemorate the official termination of foreign rule and the birth of political independence for the Federated States of Micronesia.
Mori started his speech by expressing gratitude to the United Nations Security Council for terminating the Trusteeship Agreement that preceded the beginning of “self-government” in the FSM.
“Coinciding with the Trusteeship Agreement termination was the effective date of the Compact of Free Association Treaty with the United States, our former administering authority during the Trust Territory period,” he added.
After paying tribute to the founding fathers of the FSM, Mori called on every citizen and the current leaders to renew the commitment “to uphold and strengthen the unity of our nation through sharing of aspirations and commitment, through sharing of resources and assistance and even through sharing of hardship and sacrifices.”
He alluded to what he calls “expressed sentiments,” calling for cessation from the federation at different times by some state leaders.
“In our democratic system of government, this is expected and it is a welcome constructive expression of the freedom of speech and freedom of choice. It is our collective responsibilities as leaders to find solutions to these expressed sentiments so as not to allow them to undermine our national unity,” Mori said.
