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P.O. Box PS 3 Palikir, Pohnpei 96941
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FSM Congress News
Mori
Sensei addresses 15th CFSM, Day-5: No. 31-08
October 9, 2008
Japan former Prime Minister Mori addresses FSM Congress
PALIKIR, Pohnpei.
Former
Prime Minister of Japan, the Honorable Yoshiro Mori was in Palikir recently
where he addressed the 15th Congress of the Federated States of
Micronesia.
The 15th
Congress had, during its Fourth Regular Session in May, adopted Congressional
Resolution 15-143, inviting former Prime Minister Mori to address a session of
the FSM Congress. Accepting the invitation and as a Special Envoy of the
Government of Japan, former Prime Minister Mori was in the FSM from September
15 – 17, 2008.
Upon
arrival in the FSM, Mr. Mori visited the national leadership, especially
President Emanuel ‘Manny’ Mori and Isaac V. Figir, Speaker of the 15th
FSM Congress.
During
Mr. Mori’s courtesy call on Speaker Figir, the Speaker acknowledged Mori
Sensei’s prominent role in the strengthened bilateral relations between FSM
and Japan. Speaker Figir highlighted the extension of Pohnpei International
Airport, the completion of Pohnpei’s Circumferential Road, completion of Ports
in the States and the appointment of a resident Japanese Ambassador to the
FSM, as undertakings successfully realized through the assistance of former
Prime Minister Mori.
Former
Prime Minister Mori on the other hand, thanked the FSM Congress for the
invitation to address the national body and acknowledged that for
Parliamentarians and Legislators, an invitation to address a parliament or
legislature is “the highest honor a legislative body can accord a person…”
On the
Tuesday morning, September 16 2008, Former Prime Minister Mori took to the
floor to address the 15th FSM Congress before a Chamber crowded
with officials from the State and National government, municipal government
leaders along members of the traditional leadership of Pohnpei.
The
address by Former Prime Minister Mori began with expressions of appreciation
for the invitations to address the FSM Congress. An invitation that Mr. Mori
happily noted, coincide with the 20th anniversary celebration of
diplomatic relations between Japan and the FSM. While 20 years is observed
for the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Mr. Mori pointed out
that the historical ties between the two countries however, span a much longer
time-frame.
Mr.
Mori touched on the various economic programs and technical assistances from
Japan to the FSM and those currently in place to further enhance the Japan-FSM
relationship and noted with affection several programs of which he was
personally involved, among which included: the FSM-Japan Youth Exchange
program and the Japan-FSM Parliamentary Friendship League of which he is the
current the Chairman.
Speaking on strengthening relationships, Mr. Mori also referenced the Pacific
Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM), a program which has also enhanced the
cooperation between Japan and the Pacific Islands. He especially noted that “since
1997, Japan has been hosting the PALM, continuously implementing its
cooperation to the Pacific Island region and declaring our strong commitment
to the region.”
Referencing the 20-years relationship between the FSM and Japan, the former
Prime Minister thanked the FSM for its commitment and contributions to the
development of Japan-FSM relations. He then called on the nation’s leadership
to explore further means of enhancing the FSM-Japan relationship for the next
20 years. To this he offered, “the
bilateral relation has various potentials and they may be similarly diverse to
the question, but let me point out three.”
The
three potential areas according to the former Prime Ministers are:
1. To
deepen mutual understanding and exchanges between the younger generations of
the two countries to strengthen the foundation of their future bilateral
relations. To this he underscored the importance of having both governments
“cooperate and proactively encourage (such) movements.”
2.
For both nations to seek out new possibilities for bi-lateral and regional
cooperation to address new and upcoming challenges to region, especially those
on climate change; and
3.
For Japan to share with the FSM its knowledge and expertise, painfully
acquired through experience, to foster better cooperation in the field of
disaster prevention.
Highlighting those potential areas in the FSM-Japan relations, Mr. Mori said
that “as Chairman of Japan-FSM Parliamentary Friendship League, I would like
to continue to exert my efforts for the promotion of bilateral relations.
“I
would like to ask for your kind cooperation,” noted Mr. Mori.
Mr.
Mori then spoke of his affinity with the FSM as a ‘personal relationship’ that
began during his childhood. His father Shigeki Mori had shared, almost daily,
touching stories of Micronesia and Toleisom in the State of Chuuk where he was
based during World War II. He recounted that he grew up listening the stories
of Chuuk and Micronesia.
The
former Prime Minister concluded his statement by highlighting the need for the
two nations to further strengthen their relationship. He said, “Japan-FSM
relations have various potentials.
“As
Chairman of Japan-FSM Parliamentary Friendship League, I would like to
continue to exert my efforts for the promotion of bilateral relations. I
would like to ask for your kind cooperation.
Lastly, I would like to close my speech wishing for further development and
further prosperity of Japan-FSM relations,” concluded Mori.
Mori
Sensei concluded his address to Congress left the Chambers in preparations of
his trip to Chuuk later that day.
Mr.
Mori’s message was broadcasted live throughout the nation through the
assistance of FSM Telecommunications Corporation and Calvary Baptist Radio.
Congress went back into session and concluded its proceedings of Day-5, and
went into recess for the next two days to allow Congress members to accompany
Mori Sensei to Chuuk where he will officially wrap up his visit to the FSM.
Chairman of the Chuuk Delegation, Tiwiter Aritos, headed the delegation from
Congress and is comprised of the following, Floor Leader Joe Suka, Senator
Setiro Paul, Senator Moses A. Nelson, Senator Peter Sitan, Senator Tesime
Kofot, Senator Dohsis Halbert and staffed by Lynn Narruhn.
The
provisional translation of Mori Sensei’s speech is available at:
www.fsmcongress.fm
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