Federated States of Micronesia

In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

• tropical;
• heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands;
• located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

party to:

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:

none of the selected agreements

noun:

Micronesian(s)

adjective:

Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

conventional long form:

Federated States of Micronesia

conventional short form:

none

local long form:

Federated States of Micronesia

local short form:

none

former:

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts

abbreviation:

FSM

• constitutional government in free association with the US;
• the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004

name:

Palikir

geographic coordinates:

6 55 N, 158 08 E

time difference:

UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

chief of state:

• President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003);
• Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003);
• note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:

President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003)

cabinet:

Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments

elections:

• president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term);
• election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held May 2007);
• note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed

election results:

• Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president;
• percent of Congress vote - NA%;
• Redley KILLION elected vice president;
• percent of Congress vote - NA%

chief of mission:

Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU

chancery:

1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone:

[1] (202) 223-4383

FAX:

[1] (202) 223-4391

consulate(s) general:

Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)

chief of mission:

Ambassador Suzanne K. HALE

embassy:

101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia

mailing address:

P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941

telephone:

[691] 320-2187

FAX:

[691] 320-2186

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

• black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes;
• pigs, chickens;
• fish

• tourism, construction;
• fish processing, specialized aquaculture;
• craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

• $86.3 million under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001;
• the level of aid has been subsequently reduced

general assessment:

adequate system

domestic:

• islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable;
• cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

international:

country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

total:

240 km

paved:

42 km

unpaved:

198 km (1999)

• no ministry of defense and no standing armed forces;
• the paramilitary Maritime Wing, a small maritime law enforcement unit, is responsible to the Division of Maritime Surveillance within the Office of the Attorney General (2003)