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Medical inventory practices endanger the lives of Chuukese people |
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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Chuuk, FSM - Over the impossibly blue green waters of the lagoon edged in glistening white sand, bent and proud coconut palms lean toward the crystal clear blue sky. It’s the kind of postcard imagery that vast hordes of cubicle dwellers and factory laborers throughout the world can only dream about. But there is another more fundamental beauty about Chuuk that has nothing to do with its magnificent scenery or its fishing, its snorkeling or its scuba diving. It’s a human beauty that radiates from the 67,000 plus Chuukese people who call the tropical FSM State their home. But that particular beauty could be in mortal danger according to a report released on February 10 of this year.
The report released by the FSM Office of the National Public Auditor says that there are serious deficiencies in the Chuuk State Department of Health Services’ procurement and inventory management system. Inefficiencies in procurement and inventory control management of medical supplies resulted in potentially significant waste and inappropriate expenditures of money; money that could have been used far better to protect the health of Chuukese people.
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Some FSM deportees cause law enforcement problems at home |
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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Kosrae introduces a bill to require registration of deportees convicted of criminal acts in foreign jurisdictions
Pohnpei, FSM - Each year, hundreds of FSM citizens emigrate to the United States or to Guam. They are free to do so under the Compact of Free Association with the United States. Some leave to pursue higher education opportunities. Others leave for health treatments that are not yet available in this developing nation. Still others leave because they cannot find suitable employment in the FSM. FSM citizens leave for a variety of reasons and some adapt and do well in their new home. Others have a more difficult time adjusting and find themselves at odds with the law. Sometimes FSM citizens are deported from the United States and returned to the FSM. Only some of those deportees cause problems after they arrive home.
As of February 24, 2010, 309 FSM citizens had been deported to the FSM according to FSM Department of Immigration Services records. Contrary to popularly stated opinion, not all FSM deportees are returned to the FSM because of serious law breaking. Under the Compact an FSM citizen can be deported if he or she has no means of gainful employment. There is some fear that the State of Hawaii may begin to choose that method of dealing with indigent FSM citizens in their state more often than they have done in the past.
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Kosrae products at the 44th Tokyo Supermarket Show |
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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 Tokyo, Japan-The Kosrae Export Council (KEC) represented various Kosraean Products Feb 8th through the 10th at the Tokyo Supermarket Trade show. KEC was formed in 2008 with direct support by the Kosrae Department of Resources & Economic Affairs (DREA). KEC is comprised of private sector representatives joining in unity to help the state improve export performance, with an eye toward helping farmers and the state with new income opportunities. Most of the funding support given to KEC is through US Compact Private Sector Grant filtered through DREA. This is a public-private sector partnership arrangement that is fully supported both by Director Steven George of DREA and Kosrae State Governor Robert Weilbacher.
In Tokyo, over 80,000 visitors over the three day period visited the show providing much needed exposure to the island products represented. Tourism opportunities and information about Kosrae and Micronesia was also presented. “Anytime we go off island we are representing all of Kosrae and the FSM as a whole. To market our goods, due to our unique situation, we must market the ‘story’ or uniqueness of the nation and the states. Co-Branding and working with various agencies to promote the overall economy can only aide every business and the nation as a whole so it was an honor to represent not one product but all of Kosrae and the FSM” said Mr. Brian Rogers Chairman of Kosrae Export Council. The delegation included Mr. Rogers, Mr. Witson Phillip Vice Chairman of KEC, and Mrs. Hilla Rogers.
The Kosraean items on display and available for sample were the various Banana / Taro / Breadfruit chips so popular in Kosrae as well as the much heralded Taro Flour and Lelu Water. Promotions for other exportable items such as Mangrove Crabs were also discussed in great detail on the show floor. The KEC shared a booth provided by the Pacific Island Center with firms from Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati with the most interest in the Kosrae Products being clearly evident.
“We have met buyers who are interested in our products and are now discussing their needs in terms of product volumes and pricing” Phillip said. Phillip has been actively campaigning for a private operation to lead the private sector in Kosrae not only as Vice Chairman of KEC but also as Chairman of the Kosrae Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Phillip further stated that having three people present was a great aide as Mr. & Mrs. Rogers helped lead the way and worked hard at promoting Kosrae as evidenced by the report from the Pacific Islands Centre regarding their participation: “For the past several years, PIC has participated in various trade shows and exhibitions and looking back on them we think that Mr. Rogers and his members were among the best exhibitors ever as far as their enthusiasm to challenge and penetrate into such a difficult Japanese Market” said Mr. Kahichiro Shoma Director of Pacific Islands Centre in Tokyo. Considering the number of trade shows and the number of Pacific Island Forum Members, it was a tremendous compliment for the KEC.
A statement from the Kosrae Export Council said, “FSM people have repeatedly heard that Micronesia can not export items; however we disagree and feel that is a defeatist opinion. If we rely on one large industry, if we do not push / support / advertise our tourism, if we rely on remittances and foreign aid only, then we will never gain solid footing or economic independence. There must be a few cottage industries that we can tap into and establish to create small but much needed cash flow on the islands. It is the reliance on Foreign Aid and Governmental employment that is halting Private Sector Development, and there is a big need for further support of Private Sector Operations and Operators. The governing bodies say that the Private Sector must lead any economic turn around; however no one seems to want to put the money and support behind those words. We must look at small scale industries we can do, and support our local products and reduce our needs on imported goods.
“The Kosrae Export Council Exhibition would like to whole heartedly acknowledge the sponsorship and support for the attendance to this event to the Pacific Islands Centre, Department of Resources and Economic Affairs, Kosrae State Government Administration, Congressman Claude Phillip for his unwavering support in making sure this trip was a success as well as private sector donations of products and even funding some of the airfare and costs to attend this show. This trip could not have been possible without many sides coming together and working for a common goal and we hope that continued multi party efforts in future events will be possible considering the positive outcomes that were achieved.
Already there is some positive recent news for KEC as they identified many restraints, negatives and restrictions for Kosrae Products for export. One of those was poor packaging and design. It is a great pleasure that KEC can now officially thank the Australia Government for providing some assistance in this weakness through the AusAID funded Small Grant Scheme. We hope that other interested funders will also help us to build our small scale export economy in order to provide local revenues, and improve the local quality of life for all Kosraens by our cooperative efforts.
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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 Pohnpei, FSM - Eight members of the Musashino City Rugby Football Union came to Pohnpei to share the sport of Rugby in the FSM. On Friday evening, February 19 the team members shared rugby balls with representatives from Pohnpei Island Central School, Xavier High School from Chuuk, and the Division of Youth Services in Yap.
Afterwards the players squared off against an imposing and hastily assembled team of players who live in Pohnpei for a rousing exhibition rugby match. Rugby is a rough and tumble contact sport. Possibly to avoid any diplomatic incidents or injuries to the visiting players the match began as a game of touch rugby with players wearing flags. A “tackle” was indicated when an opposing player was able to remove the flag of a ball carrier.
The match was played on a field less than half the size of a regulation Rugby field. It quickly became obvious that the FSM team had faster hands and they quickly ran away with the game giving them a big lead. Soon the flags were abandoned and while the game was still a game of touch rugby, which was a bit disconcerting to watch and probably difficult for the huge men that made up the FSM rugby team to get used to. Some of the “touches” started to get just a bit rough before the short game was over.
No one seemed to know what the final score was but it was clear that the FSM dominated the visiting team from Japan who also seemed to have a difficult time with the idea of touch rugby and didn’t seem to know what to do with such a small field. The estimated final score was approximately 35 to 25 at last count, more like a National Football League score rather than rugby.
 The game was all in good fun and the teams shook hands and went their separate ways until the following day.
At 9:00 the following morning the Musashino City rugby team along with some of the FSM team members gave a rugby clinic for an estimated 80 young people.
The event was primarily coordinated by the FSM-Japan Friendship Society whose President is Senator Roger S. Mori and Vice President is Mr. Takuro Akinaga.
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Welcome to Kaselehlie Press |
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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Administrator's note
03 March 2010, here is the latest online issue.
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On top of the page next to the main banner you will find a small icon linked to videos which appeal as a global warning to the human intellect and environmental awareness. This one is part of our European campaign against Climate Change.
Bernd Riebe
Welcome to the website of The Kaselehlie Press,
the FSM’s newspaper for today and tomorrow.
03 March 2010 - Dear Supporters and Subscribers, here is the latest issue.
Happy reading.
Bill Jaynes
Managing Editor
For subscription information, contact The Kaselehlie Press at:
Post Office Box 2222
Pohnpei, FM 96941
Phone: 691.320.6547
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