Federated States of Micronesia

Federated States of MicronesiaPermanent Mission to the United Nations820 2 nd Avenue, Suite 17ANew York, New York 11007Ph 212 697 8370Press Release25 Sept 2007President Mori Meets with American Jewish Committee WhileParticipating in Activities of Busy Opening Day of the UN General AssemblyThe 62 nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly officially commencedtoday, with a welcome breakfast hosted by the UN Secretary-General for PresidentEmanuel Mori and other world leaders heading the delegations of their respectivecountries. The Secretary-General and the President of the 62 nd UNGA presented theirstatements following the breakfast.Several countries presented their statements on the opening day. Adhering totradition, Brazil was the first country to deliver its statement, followed by the UnitedStates, to a fully packed General Assembly chamber. With President George W Bush intown for the opening of the UNGA, security was very tight, necessitating certain areas ofthe UN compound closed to the public, causing traffic bottlenecks in Manhattan.Despite the hectic activities of the opening day, President Mori met with theofficials of the American Jewish Committee, accompanied by Secretary of ForeignAffairs Lorin S Robert, Chief of Staff Sabino Asor, Special Advisor Akillino Susaia, aswell as officials of the FSM Missions in both New York and Washington DC. Everyyear on the margins of the annual UNGA, the AJC requests to meet with the FSM Headof Delegation or Secretary of Foreign Affairs to express appreciation for the FSM’ssteadfast support of Israel at the UN and other international conferences.“It is fitting for the American Jewish Committee and the Federated States ofMicronesia to come together to reaffirm the friendship between our peoples,”PresidentMori observed, further remarking: “We in the Federated States of Micronesia feel aspecial affinity with the AJC, given our shared fundamental values that are deeply rootedin the Judeo-Christian tradition.”President Mori noted another “common denominator”that encourages the annualget-together in NY. That common denominator is “our shared interest in the security and

sovereignty of the State of Israel.”The President went on to say: “Let there be no doubtabout the policy of my country. Simply put, we support the right of Israel to exist inpeace and dignity, and for its sovereign will as a state to be fully recognized and treatedwith respect.”In their response statements, the AJC President and Executive-Director expressedtheir sincere appreciation for the FSM’s friendship and support of the State of Israel overthe years at the UN. Other AJC members echoed similar sentiments.They also complimented the President on the statement that he deliveredyesterday at a high-level meeting at the UN in which he highlighted the real concerns ofsmall and low-lying islands such as the FSM as a result of global warming. Theysuggested continued dialogue to identify possible areas of cooperation.In his statement to the AJC, President Mori referred to the special relationshipbetween the FSM and US under the Compact of Free Association, noting the Review thatis to be conducted every after five years since the implementation of the Compact in2003. The first Review will take place next year. The intention of the Review is toidentify and examine the provisions of the treaty that may merit adjustment orimprovement, taking into account the special needs of the FSM Government.There was also exchange of preliminary ideas on the other areas of special needsidentified by President Mori. These other areas of special needs for the FSM includerenewable/alternate energy; improved or expanded telecommunication, includingbroadband connectivity and advanced information and communication technologies; foodsecurity through improvement in farming methods and crop production; special futureassistance; and adequate system of safe or drinkable water especially in the rural areasand remote and low-lying islands.There was concurrence among the participants in the meeting to continue thedialogue, which is needed to explore further how the issues identified by President Morimay be addressed.In the evening of the opening day, President Mori attended a reception hosted byPresident and Mrs George W Bush. He was also invited to a state banquet hosted by theUN Secretary-General following the reception by the US President.