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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 12 July 2018 05:23
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
July 6, 2018
Federated States of Micronesia—Yap lost more than half of the “hotel rooms” it had planned on for the Micro Games when the “Forever Lucky”, owned and operated by Fahrenheit Company, Limited of Subic Bay, Philippines was detained in Bhataan, PI while sailing to the FSM. The Yap government had signed an MOU with the company to provide rooms and catering services for the games. The vessel claims to have 146 cabins including deluxe single, deluxe double and executive suites but at press time, that vessel is not likely to arrive.
According to multiple news sources, Philippine authorities detained the vessel when it got a tip from a foreign law enforcement source that the Forever Lucky might be involved in a human smuggling scheme. When they boarded the vessel, they found 139 people aboard who, news sources say, were not on the manifest and did not have proper documentation for the journey or authorizations to work outside of the Philippines.
Some news sources say that the majority of the 139 victims of human smuggling were sent home and others are awaiting travel arrangements. Without a staff, it appears that even if Philippine authorities were to release the “Forever Lucky” to sail to Yap, it wouldn’t be able to do the work.
One news source says that the CEO of Fahrenheit has denied wrongdoing and is cooperating with investigators.
Initial news sources in Manila said that the company was accused of “human trafficking”. Others say that investigations are continuing into allegations of that crime. From the descriptions of the ongoing situation, the crime being investigated in the majority of the cases is “human smuggling”, an altogether different crime from human trafficking.
On Wednesday, the Yap State Government issued a short statement. “The State of Yap has a two-month Memorandum of Agreement with Fahrenheit, Ltd. to provide extra rooms on the Forever Lucky ship during the 2018 Micro Games and to provide food and catering services for the athletes and coaches who will be participating in the event on July 15-27, 2018. The Micro Games Organizing Committee, a separate entity, met in an emergency session on July 4 to review options and is expected to make an announcement by Friday.”
Several hours after the Yap government had closed its business day on the announced day for the statement, the government had issued no statement whatsoever regarding any alternative plans they may or may not have established prior to the detention of the “Forever Lucky”. By Saturday there still was no word from the Yap government. Sources in Yap say that the government and the Micro Games Organizing Committee had been in an emergency session on Friday morning but no outcomes of that meeting have been released.
Read more: As operators are arrested, “Forever Lucky” not so lucky for Micro Games in Yap
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 12 July 2018 05:23
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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Members of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) met in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, June 26-28 for its 37th General Assembly, to discuss issues on Climate change policies, mitigation and adaptation. The opening of the Conference took place at the Pohnpei States Legislature’s Chamber in Kolonia. Pohnpei State Lieutenant Governor, Hon. Reed Oliver welcomed the APIL delegates and expressed his support of the work of APIL in the areas on regional collaboration and cooperation. His Excellency Robert A. Riley III, US Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, gave the key note speech where he spoke on climate change mitigation and adaptation programs available under US Aid and other programs under the United States Government and its agencies. The APIL President, Hon. Vice-Speaker Robert I Taulung, welcomed everyone and reiterated in his remarks that our Island nations are on the front lines of global climate change. Heavy rainfall and rising sea levels are eroding shorelines and causing flooding. Warming and increasingly acidic oceans are damaging coral reefs that support fisheries for our sustainable use and attract tourists. At this meeting the APIL members will continue to discuss these important climate change mitigation and adaptation issues and recommend ways in which each APIL member jurisdiction can direct its efforts and advocate for policies and projects that will benefit the constituencies they serve.
APIL expresses its appreciation to the climate change experts and presenters who presented on the theme: Mr. Asterio Takesy, Vice President- Bank of Guam spoke on “Climate Change: How policy makers in the Pacific region can be the solution and how do we link the business sectors in the equation”. Mr. William Kostka, Executive Director, Micronesia Conservation Trust, presented on “Green Climate Fund (GCF): Possible funding resource for climate change mitigation and adaptation.” And Maybelline Andon-Bing, Secretary –Ministry of Finance, RMI presented on:“Climate Change and Adaptation programs and projects in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.” These presentations were very informative to the members and we again thank the presenters for their time and tremendous contribution to the General Assembly. “APIL will focus on gaining the needed support and collaboration from our regional policy makers to improve and provide regional climate change mitigation and adaptation networks throughout our island communities”, said APIL President, Vice Speaker Taulung.
During the final day of the sessions, the members of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) unanimously elected Speaker Fernando Scaliem to serve as the President of APIL for the 2018-2019 Term.
“I believe that regional collaboration is key to addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation and we need to network closely with our Pacific island neighbors” said Scaliem.
Under his leadership, Scaliem will work to ensure that a reasonable and actionable strategic plan is established and acted upon by the APIL. Scaliem made a commitment to work closely with regional chief executives to ensure that policies established by the association are supported and implemented by the APIL member state presidents and territory governors. “The prosperity and long term security of our Pacific people requires that executive and legislative branches of government cooperate.” said Scaliem.
Other officers and leadership positions for APIL’s 2018-2019 Term are: Chuuk State Senator and Floor Leader, Hon. Nelson Stephen was elected to serve as the organization’s Vice President; Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature’s former Speaker, Hon. Joseph Deleon Guerrero was elected as Secretary and for the first time for this member entity to serve on the APIL leadership, Hon. Kaure Babo, M.P. from the Parliament of Kiribati gained the position as Treasurer of APIL.
The members of APIL, during its 37th General Assembly, adopted nineteen resolutions and they are as follows:APIL Resolution No 37-GA-01
“Conveying the deepest sympathy and earnest condolences of the APIL on the passing of one of FSM’s foremost leaders, the late Honorable President Leo A. Falcam.”APIL Resolution No 37-GA-02
“Committing the APIL to continue the legacy of His Excellency the late Tony A. deBrum through solidarity and unity to combat the overwhelming impacts of climate change.”
The resolutions that APIL passed are below:
Read more: APIL gathered in Pohnpei to discuss issues on: “CLIMATE CHANGE: Regional policies and action plans...
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 12 July 2018 05:23
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
June 20, 2018
Pohnpei—On June 8, McGarry Miguel, Floor Leader of the Pohnpei State Legislature introduced a 45 page “by request bill” from Pohnpei’s Executive Branch for a “‘Micronesian Tourism Omnibus Development Statute of 2018’ to provide for and to regulate an integrated resort casino complex for the State of Pohnpei…” (L.B. 332-18)
The bill has merely been introduced and has been assigned to the Standing Committees on Resources and Development, Land, and Finance for hearings. The bill could undergo substantial changes by the time it hits the floor for first and second readings.
Pohnpei, like most other states in the Federated States of Micronesia is scrambling to develop new sources of revenue to replace U.S. Compact funds that have been on a declining scale to zero in 2023. At that time, Compact funding will switch to the interest from a trust fund that has not performed up to originally planned expectations. It won’t be enough unless FSM states can find other revenue sources.
According to the General Provisions section in the tourism bill, the creation of a resort and casino is an important part of an overall strategy to ensure the state’s economic growth. It says that during the development phase a resort casino would result in significant construction jobs and construction related spending in Pohnpei. Once constructed, a resort casino would create new jobs for residents of Pohnpei and offer a wide array of employment opportunities for individuals with diverse educational backgrounds and skills. Revenue generated could be used to fund critical needs in Pohnpei including investments and upgrades to roads and bridges, and other transportation infrastructure. It claims that the additional revenues could also be used to offset the tax burden on existing businesses.
It says that since addressing the social costs of gaming is an important and necessary part of any comprehensive casino plan, the act envisions a high level of funding for public safety and a rigorous gaming regulatory and enforcement scheme. “The resort casino must therefore be controlled to protect the public health, safety, and well being of the inhabitants of Pohnpei; to foster the stability and success of gaming and to preserve the competitive economy of Pohnpei.
On January 18, 2018, Senator Stevick Edwin introduced a bill calling on the Governor to submit a draft omnibus bill for a tourism complex that could include a casino. The bill would have authorized the Director of the Department of Resources and Development to issue a call for submissions of notices of interest to potential investors to develop a casino/resort complex in the state of Pohnpei through a means that the director finds will effectively reach the largest number of potential investors but only after an omnibus bill is considered and passed.
That bill has seen no legislative action and now seems to be moot since the new tourism omnibus bill has incorporated most, if not all of the wording of Edwin’s bill.
Canton Construction Corporation of Guam has expressed interest in developing a resort and casino on land it would reclaim east of the Dekehtik causeway and south of the airport and has been communicating with government leaders about the idea since at least some time last year.
Their proposal has not yet risen to the level described in the omnibus bill for a full-fledged investment proposal but the basic proposal says that it intends to train locals to be the management team and estimates that the total increase of employment would be 1000 new jobs on Pohnpei. It says that it would also try to bring in new airlines to the island to support the tourist arrival and local logistics problem. It roughly estimates that the annual increase of Pohnpei’s tax revenues from the casino would be $20 to $30 million plus the potential for expansion of support businesses not directly related to the resort.
It say it intends to target customers from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Europe and has plans to create a sort of fantasy experience for its customers including boat rides, parasailing, water slides, sky diving, and cultural shows. It would offer excursion tours to Nan Madol, Kepirohi, and Lididuniap waterfalls, as well as to Sokehs Rock.
Read more: Pohnpei Governor submits Micronesian Tourism Complex Omnibus Development bill to Legislature
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 12 July 2018 05:23
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
June 11, 2018
FSM—Four men, officers of a church in Patta, Chuuk have been convicted of one charge each of Trafficking in Children after each of them had sex with a young girl of 14 or 15 at the time of their crimes.
Onsori Sino, Kachura Angken, Taisiro Loves, and Lucky Shiro each face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and or a fine of not less than $5000 but not more than $50,000. However, a Supreme Court Associate Justice previously handed down significantly lighter sentences to two people convicted of human trafficking crimes in Chuuk.
The convicted felons are due to be sentenced by the FSM Supreme Court on August 8 at 9:30 in the morning at the FSM Supreme Court in Chuuk. The sentencing hearing is open to the public.
Chief Justice Dennis Yamase is presiding in this case.
Prosecutors proved to the court that the young victim’s claim that in September of 2015 Sino had sex with her in exchange for marijuana were true. The criminal information on the case said that on that day, the victim had been sent by her mother to buy disposable diapers. Shiro followed the victim and urged the victim to allow Shiro’s daughter to buy the diapers for her so that she could go to his house with him. After the act, witnesses saw the two leaving Shiro’s house.
Kachura Angken was convicted based on evidence presented by the prosecutors along with the victim’s testimony that in October 2015 he solicited a minor to have sex with him in his taro patch for the sum of $15.
Tasiro Loves was convicted on testimony of the victim, other evidence place before the Court, and arguments of counsel. In 2015, lured the victim to a home belonging to another person on Patta and induced the minor to have sexual intercourse with him for $2.00.
Lucky Shiro was convicted of having had sex with the victim for a promised sum of two dollars that he apparently didn’t have the cash to pay after the act was completed.
Each of the defendants was accused of multiple counts of the crime of Trafficking in Children for sex acts they allegedly committed in separate acts for tiny sums of money. The Court found them guilty of only one count each.
The government had contended that the defendants had shared with each other the vulnerability of the victim and that each then acted on his own to exploit it. The Court did not find that the prosecution had presented enough evidence to prove a charge of conspiracy to commit trafficking against children.
Sentencing will be on August 8, 2018 at 9:30 in the morning.
