Letters

Be Fair To Micronesia's Leaders

I would like comment on your cover story-POWER 10-in the May issue of your magazine.

The article states "today's Micronesian leadership is not regionally focused, and appears unwilling or uninterested in articulating a 'Pacific vision'." I do not agree with this statement.

I believe the Micronesian leaders have been strong advocates of the region and active members of the Pacific Forum since joining. They have excellent attendance records at Forum meetings and have hosted at least a meeting each of the PIF. Despite the fact that their islands are a small, developing country, they have contributed their fair share of funding for the PIF. To me this is clearly an indication of regional focus as well as regional solidarity.

Naturally the PIF does things the Pacific Way which means decision-making is done by consensus. A vision for the Pacific region must be a collaborative effort by the leaders. For a Micronesian leader to articulate one for the region might be considered presumptuous and un-Pacific. Compared to our southern neighbors, the Micronesian countries are relative newcomers to the PIF and until not too long ago viewed as such. Accordingly, our North Pacific leaders must tread carefully and speak softly. Rightfully so, our leaders from the south must be the ones to take the lead in articulating a regional vision and providing leadership at the Pacific Forum. Our Micronesian leaders, to their credit, know their place. So I don't think it's fair to characterize them as "not regionally focused, uninterested and unwilling."

Our Micronesian leaders are relatively new in their posts compared to other Pacific Island leaders. Federated States of Micronesia President Joseph Urusemal is only in the second year of his first term in office. To expect him to articulate a regional vision is asking too much and would be considered over-reaching for someone new, given that there are more senior leaders.

As newcomers, their first priority must necessarily be their home turfs. To do otherwise is not good politics and a disservice to their peoples.

In the Pacific, a junior person is expected to be patient and not speak ahead of his seniors. He must also defer to his elders and is expected to be seen more than he is heard until he has earned the right.

Another unfair statement in the article states, "FSM President Joe Urusemal appears to have all but disappeared on the national stage, let alone a regional platform." Due to the nature of the FSM's federation as mandated by its Constitution, the president cannot impose his vision on the constituent states. In fact, the National Government has limited power over them and they do pretty much as they please in managing their own affairs. As noted in a recent Transparency International's report, "The states have a broad jurisdiction, which includes all residual powers not granted to the national government."

In spite of constitutional limits on his power, the president has been quite active since assuming the presidency in 2003. In his short two years, he has completed his visits to all four states to become more familiar with their situations, aspirations and challenges. He provided effective leadership at the 3rd and last FSM Economic Summit in Pohnpei at which all stakeholders were represented. The Economic Planning Implementation Council (EPIC), comprised of chief executives of the four states and the National Government together with speakers of the respective legislatures, has been active and quite successful under President Urusemal in addressing critical issues for the nation.

Under his leadership, the FSM has recently completed its Strategic Development Plan, National Infrastructure Development Plan as well as its Supplemental Education Plan as required by the amended Compact and which will serve as a road map for the country. Thanks to his perseverance, a new Office of Compact Management has been established to oversee implementation of the various provisions of the amended Compact.

Lastly, his administration is working actively on developing and implementing a new tax system that, among other things, will significantly increase local revenues.

So I think it's unfair to give President Urusemal a bad grade now as a national and regional leader given the fact that he has not been in office long enough and given the constitutional constraints on his authority.

Kasio E. Mida

While Kasio E. Mida is the FSM's resident Ambassador to Japan, these views are offered as a citizen and are not the views of the FSM Embassy or the FSM Government.

"Snail Mail" A Misnomer

As a regular reader of Pacific Magazine I take exception and hereby lodge my protest at the use of the term "Snail Mail" to describe the access to your office, the 'street address' via the post.

I work closely with representatives of the postal services throughout the world, building the capabilities that will serve customers throughout the Asia Pacific region in the years to come. Great strides are being made by the posts worldwide and I represent a proud and customer-focused postal organization, Australia Post. As you call upon the services of the post (notably the service of a very competent organization and our partner, the United States Postal Service) in reaching your wide network of recipients, may I ask you please to change the somewhat derogatory heading of "SNAIL MAIL" and just replace it with the less emotional: "POST MAIL"?

Christopher Grosser
Group Manager International Treaty And Policy Australia Post HQ

Editors Note: No insult is intended by the use of the term "Snail Mail" but we will change it to "Post Mail" from this issue.