KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 02
Jaynes, Bill (2019-01-07). KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 02 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:GCST9C2D.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 02: NEWS: Youth-4-Change hosts a congressional candidates forum in Pohnpei ahead of the March 5 FSM congressional elections, with President Peter Christian and Senator David Panuelo answering moderated questions from students on youth opportunities, governance priorities, and preparation for the 2023 expiration of Compact sector grants, followed by district-level candidate forums for Pohnpei’s three two-year seats involving incumbents and challengers across Districts One, Two, and Three; Pohnpei State files two sets of criminal charges against Genesis Corporation and its sole stockholder Dr. Merlynn Abello-Alfonso, including alleged violations of wage and hour laws, human trafficking and criminal exploitation statutes, forgery of employment documents, and a separate obstruction of justice charge arising from alleged witness interference, with the Attorney General outlining an eight-month investigation involving labor authorities and white-collar crime investigators; Pohnpei State cancels its existing contract with the Okeanos Foundation for the Sea for operation of the sailing vessel Vaka Motu due to legal deficiencies identified by the State Public Auditor and Attorney General, including improper reprogramming of funds, lack of legislative appropriation, asset ownership ambiguities, and alleged conflicts of interest involving former contracting officer Jack Yakana, while indicating efforts to negotiate a new legally compliant agreement to maintain outer-island transport services; Chuuk State commemorates the 75th anniversary of Operation Hailstone with joint ceremonies involving FSM national leaders, U.S. military and diplomatic officials, and Chuuk State representatives, emphasizing wartime history, postwar reconciliation, and ongoing U.S.–FSM security cooperation, including references to Compact relations beyond 2023; Pohnpei hosts the introductory workshop for the FSM’s national climate change and disaster risk finance assessment led by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and partner agencies, focusing on access to international climate finance, institutional readiness for Green Climate Fund implementation, and coordination among national and state governments; FSM Information Services reports on the 19th Micronesian Presidents’ Summit in Palau, highlighting regional cooperation on fisheries management, climate change, maritime security, non-communicable diseases, and support for initiatives such as the Technology for Tuna Transparency Challenge and expanded marine protected areas; FSM Department of Foreign Affairs officials meet FSM citizens in Palau to address education pathways, labor shortages at home, passport renewal procedures, and citizenship rules, emphasizing the importance of maintaining FSM citizenship and preparing for return migration; foreign relations coverage includes President Peter Christian receiving credentials from the first accredited Cuban ambassador to the FSM, with discussions on health cooperation, education, and humanitarian concerns; community and sectoral reporting includes NOAA’s ribbon-cutting of a refurbished weather station in Chuuk to improve forecasting and maritime safety, Rotary Club of Pohnpei’s donation of handheld rheumatic heart disease scanners for school screenings, U.S. Navy Medical Corps providing specialized health services in Pohnpei, and multiple education features highlighting Junior Statesmen of America scholarship recipients and alumni achievements; OPINION / EDITORIAL: A signed letter to the editor sharply criticizes the timing, motives, and due-process handling of criminal charges against Dr. Abello-Alfonso, alleging political interference in the electoral process and raising broader concerns about prosecutorial conduct and governance integrity.
