FSM president raises issues with US State Department and INDOPACOM leaders on veterans, mail, and more

On the sidelines of Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence celebrations, President Wesley W. Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher T. Landau, according to a Sept. 18 posting from the FSM Office of the President.

The meeting was also attended by Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr., commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and senior U.S. officials.

From left, Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command; Christopher Landau, U.S. Deputy Secretary; President Wesley W. Simina, Federated States of Micronesia. Photo courtesy U.S. State Department

Simina raised concerns regarding the recent halt by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on discussions with the Freely Associated States regarding veteran health benefits, and “thanked Deputy Secretary Landau for his support in ensuring that these important talks continue.”

He also expressed concern about a recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memorandum that inaccurately described FSM citizens in the U.S. as “lawful and temporary” rather than “lawful and permanent.” According to his office, the president emphasized that this misclassification runs counter to the spirit of friendship enshrined in the Compact, and he welcomed the continued support of the deputy secretary and his staff in resolving this matter.

Simina also noted the importance of sustaining reliable postal service arrangements between the FSM and the United States, which were carefully negotiated under the Amended Compact, and called for mutually beneficial solutions to ensure this essential link remains strong.

Mail to the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands is being sent by the U.S. Postal Service overland to Oakland, Calif. and then carried by sea by Matson Navigation Co., resulting in delays.

Mail was previously carried by Asia Pacific Airlines, which has a contract with United Airlines to fly mail to the islands of those countries.

President Wesley W. Simina, Federated States of Micronesia, met with the Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on the sidelines of Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence celebrations. Photo courtesy Office of the President, FSM.

Adam Ferguson, president of APA, told the Journal that the islands are affected by the U.S. Postal Services recent delays.

“Mail is down 20% year over year,” Ferguson said.

Landau also visited the Marshall Islands on Sept. 18, CHamoru Standard Time. Paparo accompanied him on that visit too.

The Journal has reached out to the U.S. Postal Service and will update this story when a response is received. mbj

FSM president raises issues with US State Department and INDOPACOM leaders on veterans, mail, and more