The Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S. just came off the re-negotiating table for Compact III for a while now. A new agreement has been set, and it’s good for another 20 years. But, now, the question becomes: What are the changes to the economic assistance (portions of the compact that is renegotiable) that we have to live with for the next 20 years? We want to find out if the FSM folks in FSM knew about it. Also, the FSMers abroad- do they know? Do they care?

It is interesting because these are unpredictable times. Things around the world are very fluid. Many of these changes to the economic provisions have already gone into effect. Some still need to wait for the US congress’ approval to pass them into law. Yet, many Micronesians seemed to not care. There is a Chuukese saying: “Üpwap chèk rùùkö,” (equivalent to, ‘Surprise us!’). 

This seems to be an adopted attitude in the Chuukese virtual world. Like, life is just as usual. 

According to the U.S. Embassy website “under the terms of the Compact, the U.S. provides the FSM with economic assistance, defense, and other services and benefits. In exchange, the FSM grants the U.S. certain operating rights in the FSM, denial of access to FSM territory by other nations, and other agreements.”

An article written by attorneys at a leading global law firm providing legal services and business solutions to individuals and institutions, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Field LLC., states: “The 2024 compacts, as contained in the new law, represent the second renewal of each bilateral agreement and include meaningful reforms that strengthen U.S.-FAS relationships, including: (1) measures to provide the FAS with much greater financial assistance and economic security, (2) expansion and continuation of U.S. Federal programs, (3) new government structures designed to enhance diplomatic ties, and (4) provisions that address the U.S. nuclear legacy in the RMI.”  

It seems, those meetings might as well have taken place on the red planet, Mars. Even though the Internet has made this world a smaller place, there is no indication that FSM people are aware of what’s going on. Life in the nation is as suspected. Only those with computers and minicomputers, like an android phone, iPhone and iPad—who are well educated and can get around online—could get the opportunity to read up on these changes. But, then, again there are things that will certainly drown out their desire to read up on the changes to the compact. 

Take John Mark, for example. He is a security guard in Chuuk, and has a smartphone. When he is on his downtime, he occupied himself with social media. When asked on the phone if he knew about the renegotiating meetings. He simply said, no. He sounded unconcerned about the whole thing. 

Micronesians’ virtual streets in the ether world seemed to fare no different. Many seemed indifferent. Whatever is going on in front of their noses is what’s important to them!

Versions of this question were asked around: Do you know that we just had our leaders renegotiate the terms of our economic assistance all over again with the US government?

“Yes,” said Pio Kuor, “but I haven’t had a chance to look it up, and read up on it.”  

Kuor is an outer island Chuukese in Salem, Oregon. He is a long time resident of Salem. He first came to the United States in the 70s during the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, of which Chuuk was a core member. He is now a counselor with the State of Oregon.

Again, the same question was asked another FSMer here on Guam. He said: “So, what did we get?” 

Barnabas Rating is a Yapese fisherman in Yigo. He is a beach attendant working with tourism industry at Family beach on Guam.

And still to another, he said: “No, but I heard we’re doing something.” 

Spencer Yens also of Yigo; originally, from outer island Pohnpei and outer island Chuuk. He is a construction worker with many work sites on Guam.

While these may or may not hear something, they certainly have not been moved to investigate. So,

life goes on for the handful of FSM people on Guam and elsewhere in the ether. Until the new terms of Compact 3 starts to affect them perhaps at the dinner table in a real tangible way… then, perhaps, life is still as usual. 

“Oh, but it will affect them,” said Sander Choffat, another outer island Chuukese living in Oregon, “it will affect them in a very real way.” 

Like the Pell Grant for college students, for example, they can be thankful that they’re still enjoying that. It’s not taken away from them. 

Choffat added, “COFA had the upper hand because of the China-issue in our region. Our strategic location was too important to ignore.”  

“I do understand FSM and the US cooperated when negotiating the new Compact,” said Diano Raigumal of Yap in California, “and in my opinion it’s for the betterment of our country, and for it’s security.”

FSM is not giving up its sovereignty, Raigumal also said, but align its core values with the US to access most of the programs and resources the U.S. has to offer.

“When it comes to security,” Raigumal continued, “we, obviously, can’t do that on our own. We need US protection, which requires them to access our waterways freely. FSM needs to allow the US to use our lands for military operations. And

with China aggressively gaining land access in the South Pacific, U.S. is prioritizing the urgency to counter that.”

Choffat added that the geo-political tensions are somewhat unpredictable. So our leaders could have voiced our opinions and rights in the defense role. But they needed to be very careful with what they offered us in return.

Karmeno Ifa of Fefan, Chuuk, living in Ordot/Chalan Pago, assumed that something had happened but he wasn’t sure.

“Was it ever in the news?” quipped Yens over the phone.

Ifa was concerned because he didn’t know what was its contents. 

“I am a citizen and I believe we need to be aware,” he said, “Sometimes, our leaders may just think about big money, a lot of assistance for us. But even that has to be weighed by the people. I’m just concerned… there is always cause and effect. I pray that our leaders were guided by the Almighty God in all they did.”

Matthew Miller, author of the article, Signing of the U.S.-FSM Compact of Free Association-Related Agreements, stated: “On May 23, Charge d’Affaires Alissa Bibb of the U.S. Embassy in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Chief Negotiator Leo Falcam, Jr., of the FSM Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning signed three agreements related to the U.S.-FSM Compact of Free Association: (1) an Agreement to Amend the Compact, as Amended, (2) a new Fiscal Procedures Agreement, and (3) a new Trust Fund Agreement. 

“These agreements mark a major milestone in U.S.-FSM relations, which is underpinned by the Compact of Free Association and continues to support freedom, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The United States is a Pacific nation, and we have a deep and longstanding partnership with the FSM and strong people-to-people ties to Pacific Island countries that are not only our neighbors but also our friends.

“The United States has a special and historic relationship with the FSM and intends to continue Compact-related assistance at significant levels that recognize our special relationship, support economic development, bolster resilience to

tackle challenges such as climate change, and assist in building a prosperous, healthy, and more self-sustaining future.”

Back to Salem, Oregon; Kuor said, “Someday, I’ll do it.”

Kuor came to the states at a very young age when people were sporting bell-bottomed pants, initially, with a peace corps volunteer to attend high school. After high school he stayed for college; then, he found an American wife afterwards and settled down.

It’s people like Kuor that should really be diligent about things like this. They can communicate to their people back home via social media and the Internet… guiding the people down a meaningful path to their way of life.

Only they are suitable and know their people’s lifestyle intimately.    

Born and raised in Chuuk, Alex Rhowuniong is a freelance journalist and a long-time resident of Guam. He wrote a similar story for Pacific Island Times, Compact III on the Horizon and COFA? What’s in it? Send feedback to justwrite.ar@gmail.com