Micro Briefs, Updates and Opinion: 34 years as a Nation - Federated States of Micronesia


 



Today in the Federated States of Micronesia (November 3) is the 34th anniversary of our country.  34 years of being a country of four states, with a population of over 100,000, in a compact of free association with the United States.  Once upon a time, we were a UN Trust Territory, administered by the United States after the last World War.  Today, we are a nation among nations. Isn't it great? 

It's great to have been alive to see and live through the transition from Trust Territory to the Federated States of Micronesia, and see the Republic of Marshall Islands and later the Republic of Palau.  Our administrative headquarters was once in Saipan, also part of the Trust Territory, and now the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, not a nation but still a part of the U.S.  

Today the leader of our greatest ally, the United States, President Donald Trump, sent his warmest congratulations to the President and people of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), his message in part reads:

"For decades, our two nations enjoyed close ties based on our shared values and interests. The many citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia who have chosen to serve in the United States Armed Forces are a testament to our strong, prosperous, free, and open Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to a strong partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia for years to come."   

And our own President, David W. Panuelo, issued his 34th Independence Day Message that included a video message and a transcript of his speech on the Office of the President, Federated States of Micronesia's Facebook page.  The speech ends with I think are some very fitting words, relevant for this day and age: 

"Whether it's an existential long term security threat like climate change or a public health crisis like COVID-19, a better world is not something we ask for: a better world is something we build.  Together through our empathy and love for one another as Micronesians, we shall endure, taking actions today for our Nation's prosperity tomorrow." 

Thank you, Mr. President.  

The world has changed and continues to change.  In a matter of days, we will know who will be the next U.S. President.  This is important because what happens in the U.S. directly affects our Compact of Free Association.  Whether it's war, because so many of our men and women serve, or even bills passed at Capitol Hill, like the 1996 Personal Reliability Program that affected our status in the U.S., we are connected. 

34 years and Nine Presidents later, we are still a young country.  We are about to re-negotiate the Compact of Free Association and set our country's course for the next several decades.  But, as President Panuelo said, a better world is something we build.  

So, on this 34th anniversary of our country, fellow FSM citizens, please look back and see how far we have come.  Say a prayer of thanks for those who paved the way, take responsibility for YOUR part in the unfolding of our nation, and teach our children our future by not just words, but your actions as well, how to build a better world.  We all have our own methods and ways.  We all know how to do it.  Let's do it, then.   



Making Micronesia: A Political Biography of Tosiwo Nakayama

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