CHUUK'S INDEPENDENCE???
IS CHUUK FINALLY STARTING TO BECOME INDEPENDENCE BY ITSELF RATHER THAN JOINING THE OTHER F.S.M STATE?? IF SO, HOW WILL THEIR FUTURE BE LIKE?? ARE THEY PREPARED?? WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 3 F.S.M STATE
http://chuukreform.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/chuuks-independence-from-what-for-what/
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http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=Ozc68WRemUs
(This is a record of a recent Chuuk Political Status Commission hearing on Chuuk's Independence. It's broken down in two parts because it's kind of long, but the same message as one):
Pursuant to its statutory mandate, the Chuuk State Political Status Commission has been holding public hearings with the Chuukese public, including last week on Guam and the CNMI, and also in Faichuk, Northern and Southern Namoneas, and the Northwest. On Thursday, October 30, 2014, the Commission’s Southern Namoneas ESG Committee held its hearing on Uman Island, at the Holy Cross Parish Hall (which is about the size of the Chuuk High School Gymnasium and painted in the traditional Uman Color, Red and White, coincidentally similar to the national color of the Arabic Republic of Yemen).
The SubCommittee included: Commissioners Sabino Asor, Joe Suka and Johnny Meippen, Commission Executive Director James Fritz, and Chuuk State Public Affairs technician, Akasio Shorey, who recorded the proceeding for broadcasting on V6AK Radio. The turnout, according to Director Fritz, was “so far the largest turnout for a Commission hearing, which included about one hundred people,” including both men and women.
After introductions and preliminary remarks by Committee Chairman Asor and municipal officials, and after the audience was provided with copies of the Commission’s relevant literature, Commissioner Meippen then presented the Commission’s proposal recommending Chuuk State to secede from the FSM Union/Federation and become an Independent Nation in Free Association with the US or any other willing partner, including the brief history on political independent movements including the Trust Territory under the UN Trusteeship System. After Commissioner Meippen’s presentation, the Uman audience started asking questions and comments.
The first question was from the Uman Traditional Chief, Deacon Joseph Albert: “Does the FSM Constitution allow any FSM State to secede from the FSM Federation?” Commission Asor (current Chuuk State Attorney General) says his Office has not researched that question because there was talk within the Commission to invite an opinion from the FSM Attorney General, who would be most appropriate to opine on the question of a FSM Constitutional issue. Commissioner Meippen assured the audience the FSM Constitution does not expressly prohibit a FSM state from seceding. If the FSM Constitution implies that prohibition somewhere in its text, then that is what’s needed to be researched.
There was additional comment by Committee members that other FSM states (i.e. Yap and Pohnpei) actually entertained the idea of secession, so that supports the position that the FSM Constitution may not expressly or totally prohibit secession.
A related question was from another church minister, Sinifes Namwel: “After Chuuk decided to be part of the FSM since 1979, after a first Compact and now in the middle of the second Compact, why has Chuuk State ‘suddenly’ decided on secession and independent?” Commissioner Suka responded that “we are not sure if we can call it ‘suddenly’ since the idea for a Chuuk secession first came during Governor Ansito Walter’s time, then the other states have started also talking about secession, and now
Chuuk has raised the question again and decided to actually moving forward with it as its response to the scheduled termination of the Financial Provisions of the Amended Compact in 2023.
Another question was from Uman’s Mayor, Nakashima: “Is Chuuk ‘ready” to secede from the FSM and become an independent entity?” Chairman Asor noted that was quite the heavy duty question, and proceeded to answer it first: “Being ‘ready’ has to be measured in certain ways: politically, Chuuk can argue it is ready: it already has a functioning form of government with political subdivisions, there have been successions of peaceful and orderly government transitions, observance of the rule of law and the democratic processes;
in terms of ‘human resources and manpower’, it is an open debate in light of the current issue within the State’s Education Reform where the requirement for teachers’ certification has shown a critical shortage of certified classroom teachers and school principals, eligible nurses and doctors at the Chuuk Hospital, certified mechanics in the few auto shops on Weno Island, and even shortage of lawyers in the governments’ various offices;
Commissioner Asor continued that Chuuk would be ready “economically and financially,” if for example, the new Independent Chuuk Government would have ability to generate annual government operations revenue of at least $41,000,000 similar to its current FY15 operations budget, plus some additional operations expenses like the FSM Government’s annual cost of operating its Department of Foreign Affairs and network of overseas embassies at about $3 million annually, plus the annual surveillance costs of about another million for patrolling its 200 Mile Economic Zone, plus annual membership fees and donations in various international organizations like the UN and Pacific Island Forum, and other national costs. The State’s $41 million annual government operations budget usually is not enough to provide for economic development projects like statewide coconut processing plants or chicken farming, and infrastructure projects like roads and electricity on the neighbor islands.
So it means an Independent Chuuk would have to have new sources of revenues or at least continued assistance from the US to make up the $30 millions in US grants and assistance in the state’s $41 million annual budget, plus other new sources of revenues for new economic development projects and neighbor island infrastructure development projects.
The Commission members also explained that the new Independent Chuuk expects to have its new Economic Zone to generate fishing license fees for Chuuk, similar to the FSM’s fees, and retain 100% local revenue instead of sharing 50% with the National Government, and other foreign assistance like from China and Europea Union, aside from the US Assistance. Also some revenue from Chuuk’s share of the Compact Trust Fund, whichcould be in the annual neighborhood of $4 million annually. Commissioner Suka explained that according to the Commission’s economic expert’s research of possible financial assistance and economic development assistance to the new Independent Chuuk, Chuuk could receive annual revenue of about $150 million, about triple the current operations budget of $41,000. (The audience failed to ask for the expert’s name or a copy of his research).
Another question from one Saku Narruhn: (I am an unemployed father. I have children and families working in Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, the US that have been supporting my family here in Chuuk. I would ask that whatever kind of government your Commission is trying to create for us, please make sure that you do not jeopardize my children's livelihoods in Guam and Hawaii, and their abilities to assist me and my family back here.
Commissioner Asor explained that in as much as a new Independent Chuuk will be created, one of the goals is to retain the relationship with the United States that provided the opportunity to find work in the US.
Other commissioners also assisted.
A related observation from one Alphonso Otto: "May be it is better if the Commission makes the new Chuuk just like Guam and Hawaii where Chuukese can work and live." Before any commissioner could answer, another from the audience, one Taropas Detor, pointed out that Mr Otto only went to the Philippines for medical referral and never lived in Hawaii to know how good Hawaii is. (Laughter from the audience made any answer unnecessary).
(Continued next page)
Another question came from a school vice principal, Mr Roke Albert: “Why is Chuuk going secession? What is the problem that secession can solve for Chuuk that the Federation cannot solve? If it’s financial problem, then because Chuuk leaders should manage the state well, that is why Chuuk is the only state with a Compact Funds Control Commission, because Chuuk leaders have not been able to bring economic development and manage state financial resources capably. Maybe the problem is for Chuuk leaders to be able to lead or be replaced, and not for Chuuk to secede from the FSM. What is the point of seceding if the same leaders would cause the same problems again?”
The related question from the Mayor: “Under the FSM, when Chuuk had so much debts problems, at least the FSM was able to help pay some of our debts. When we secede and we have debts problems again, who is going to step in to help?”
Commissioner Asor tried to respond to Vice Principal Albert’s question about leadership: “it is partly true that our Chuuk leaders ought to lead up, instead of just trying to change the system. Using the Chuuk Reform Movement as example, Chuuk leaders agreed in the Reform MOU to change the Chuuk Legislature into one house, to save costs (of about $1 million a year). Until now, the Legislature has not seriously put forward a credible proposal to unicameralize the Legislature. Instead, they put two contradictory proposals on last election’s ballot which confused the voters.
Another question (by Minister Terensio Lorenzo) trying to critic the veracity of the Commission’s projection of increased revenues from Chuuk’s own 200 EEZ as an independent entity: “we used to have a lot of fishing vessels in Chuuk, that used to catch and ship fish from our oceans. Where are those ships now? What happened to our fish? Did we receive a fair share of the money from the catching and shipping of those ships?”
Chairman Asor asked Commissioner Meippen to assist the question (since Mr Meippen used to serve on the FSM NORMA): “the money from the FSM 200 EEZ license fees is only for the FSM. They never share with the state, except in congress public projects appropriations. The state sued the FSM to share the fees, but they lost the case. If Chuuk becomes independent, then according to the Geneva Convention on the Law of the Sea, all nations are entitled to a 200 exclusive economic zone if they are coastal states.”
The hearing adjourned around 4 pm after the Chairman saw the audience was falling asleep (from the late lunch). For a more complete record of such Commission hearings, tune in to V6AK Radio. Hope this helps you have a feel the interaction between the Chuukese citizens and their Political Status Commission. Our next hearing will be in Honolulu on November 22nd, Hilo and Portland. See you there.
WE SHOULD LOOK BEFORE WE TAKE THE STEP & KNOW BEFORE WE DECIDE. NOT DECIDE & KNOW LATER.
ARE WE SO BLIND LIKE THE COMMISSION?
DOES THE FSM CONSTITUTION ALLOW OR WILL IT ALLOW CHUUK OR ANYONE OF THE FOUR STATES TO SUCEED OR BREAKAWAY FROM THE FEDERATION?
Here is something we must remembe, When the Southern States of the US wanted to breakaway from the UNION and form A confederacy there was chaos and we all know this lead to the AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
uphold the provisions of this Constitution and to advance the principles
of unity upon which this Constitution is founded."
Thus, in order for Chuuk to secede from the FSM, it would be required to actively oppose, rather than support, the provisions of the Constitution which include Chuuk as a state within the FSM, and even more important it would require Chuuk to repudiate, rather than to advance, "the principles of unity upon which [the] Constitution is founded."
Potentially even more problematic is the requirement that any change to the Constitution (which according to its terms includes Chuuk as a State within the FSM) be approved as an amendment to the Constitution pursuant to Article XIV of the Constitution, which includes approval requirements which have proven too difficult to meet even with proposed amendments which the people are in favor of.
Thus, while Mr. Meippen may be literally correct that the Constitution does not contain any explicit prohibition against secession, Articles XIII and XIV both include implicit prohibitions within the procedures required for amendment and the requirements of all states to uphold the Constitution and the principles of unity upon which it was founded.
One thing which may not have been considered by the Commission is the 200 mile exclusive economic zone. Weno, Chuuk is 438 miles from Pohnpei. Thus it would appear on the surface that an independent Chuuk could have a 200 mile EEZ to the east, and still leave Pohnpei and equal 200 mile EEZ to the West. However, the Mortlocks, Chuukese territory, lie less than 100 miles from Pohnpei, meaning Chuuk could only have an EEZ of less than 50 miles on its easterly border. The same problem exists when calculating the EEZ between the western islands of Chuuk and the eastern islands of Yap.
While not wishing to offend the proponents of secession, or to impugn their motives, as some have done, for myself it appears that any desire to secede is delusional, for many reasons. Where will Chuuk find the funds to establish border controls? Will United Airlines recognize Chuuk as an independent state and permit flights to Weno, or will it simply overfly Weno to go to Pohnpei and Kosrae? Why would the FSM permit Chuuk to receive any portion of the FSM Trust Fund, if Chuuk is not a part of the FSM? Generosity? And who, pray tell, is the economic expert who offered the opinion that Chuuk could receive up to $150 million annually from outside sources? Chuuk cannot even attract 5% of the annual visitors which Palau entertains, and cannot even maintain its infrastructure.
As I have said many times, apparently to a wall, the solution to Chuuk's problems does not lie in secession, but rather in honest, open and accountable government. Any chance of that?
Tirow fairo. Kan pwan mwochen chok aninis.
The compact will not continue if we stop it, now with all the talk of chuuk seceeding, do you really think uncle Sam will support us let alone see us as a sovereign nation.
The $150,000 funding for the chuuk political status commission is a waste of much needed fund for the goverment. I predict after all the votes are tally & counted we will realize that we wasted the fund on the commission.
Quite some predictions there, you just made. The problem Chuuk is facing right now, is analogous to that of a lab frog. He is too comfortable in his slowly heated pot, full of water. When the water boils, the frog died easily, having been trapped and couldn't do anything to free himself.
I think we should know by now, that even Hawaii, Guam and CNMI. hated their current political status: hence, they have demilitarization movement and political status commissions with the same endeavor as the Chuuk political status commission.
We should at the least applaud them boys for trying to rock the boat...
Afa Adai from Chuuk. Go ahead and post your questions if appropriate. I am not good at facebook, so I do not know if we can answer your questions satisfactorily that way.
Thank you and all the posters' comments on this thread. Very healthy exchange.
I do believe that greedy is behind this movement.
may god bless the chuukese people.
2.WHAT POSTAL SYSTEM OR PASSPORT WILL WE USE?
3. WHERE WILL THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT BE LOCATED?
4. WHAT MONEY WILL BUILD THAT CAPITOL? ON WHOSE LANDS WILL THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES BE LOCATED?
5.CAN WE AFFORD TO HAVE AN OFFICE IN NY FOR OUR AMBASSADOR TO THE UN?
6.HOW WILL CHUUK NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PAY FOR OUR DIPLOMATIC CORP INCLUDING EMBASSY AND CONSULATE OFFICES, STAFF, TRAVEL EXPENSES, IN WASHINGTON DC AND NEW YORK, CHINA?
7. WHAT MILITARY FORCE WILL PROTECT OUR CHUUK NATIONAL SECURITY/
8.WHERE WILL WE GET THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION?
9.WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE CHUUKESE CITIZENS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES WITH REGARDS TO THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS? HOW WILL THE CHUUK NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ISSUE THEM THE CHUUK PASSPORT TO REPLACE THE FSM PASSPORT? WILL THOSE LIVING ABROAD NEED TO FLY BACK TO CHUUK TO APPLY FOR THEIR PASSPORT?