The
July 19 - August 1, 2023
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Kaselehlie Press
The
August 2, 2023
Free bi-weekly publication
KASELEHLIE PRESS PO Box 2222 Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
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Vol. 23 Issue No. 18
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FSM celebrates continued FSM unity and smooth transition of public servants at FSM Joint Inauguration By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press July 26, 2023 Palikir, Pohnpei—If, as it has often been said, rain is a blessing on events in Pohnpei, the Joint Inauguration of the FSM President, Vice President, and the 23rd FSM Congress was blessed in buckets full. But the rain did not dampen either solemnity or the celebratory joy of the event. As visitors and guests arrived, the singers of the group from Satowan, Chuuk entertained with boisterous song. Contrary to what has been published in international media, the event was not a swearing in ceremony as is See continuation on page 4
Congress credentials committee withholds report that would set in motion the seating of Chuuk and Kosrae representatives By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press July 28, 2023 FSM—Neither Fabian Nimea of Chuuk nor Yoslyn Sigrah of Kosrae was seated as part of Congress before the Joint Inauguration on Wednesday, July 26. The inauguration went on with the Master of Ceremonies introducing each member of Congress, the President and the Vice President, and no mention was made of the two apparent top vote getters in the July 4, 2023 election. The
Congress Credentials Committee had after all of the various challenges were not yet reported out on the acceptance of resolved. either candidates’ credentials and so they were not yet seated. Lambert says that his certification of the winners of the election was legal and According to a legal staff member, that the ruling only barred him from Congress’ reading of the July 11 ruling by certifying the results of the national the FSM Supreme Court barring National referendum. Election Office Ausen T. Lambert from certifying the results of the amendments There have been several challenges to to the FSM Constitution made the the July 4 election process. In Chuuk, whole certification void. Without that the ballot boxes for the Northwest certification, Congress felt that it could region still have not arrived in Weno for not seat the announced winners until counting. Further, one of the candidates
has filed an appeal of Lambert’s ruling denying a recount of ballots at the FSM Supreme Court. In Yap, Attorney Salomon Saimon filed a civil action on behalf of his clients regarding the reported percentage of affirmative votes on the Constitutional amendment that would require a change in revenue sharing of fishing revenues. The case charges that Yap’s Election See continuation on page 6