By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
While Washington may have partially fulfilled some of its pledges under the Compact of Free Association, the Federated States of Micronesia has reminded the U.S. government of other promised provisions that have yet to roll out.
“We have seen tangible benefits from the compact agreements already, but there are still areas where timely implementation is critical,” FSM President Wesley Simina said during his visit to Palau where he met with a U.S. congressional delegation last week.
Besides the annual funding packages, the COFA Amendment Act expands the FSM citizens’ access to U.S. social services such as education, healthcare, financial assistance and other programs available to U.S. citizens.
“We are awaiting further guidance from the Social Security Administration on eligibility for Supplemental Security Income and hope to see progress soon,” Simina said.
“Additionally, we are eager for the Department of Health and Human Services to appropriate the necessary funding for Head Start programs in FSM to provide early childhood education support for our young citizens,” he added.
The COFA Amendments Act, signed by President Biden on March 9, pledges $7.1 billion to freely associated states from 2024 through 2043. In exchange, the U.S. gets exclusive defense rights in these Pacific island countries.
The $634 million annual appropriation for continued provision of U.S. postal service to the FAS is included in the $7.1 billion package.
“This landmark agreement reaffirms our strong and enduring partnership with the United States and enhances opportunities for the FSM and its citizens,” Simina said during his meeting with the congressional delegation led by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.
The FSM stands to receive $3.3 million throughout the 20-year cycle, while the Marshall Islands has been allocated $2.3 billion, and Palau, $889 million.
Last month, the FSM government said it was expecting to receive the first $140 million in annual sector grants earmarked for the FSM’s public service programs and infrastructure projects.
Besides the sector grants, the COFA also requires the U.S. to make $500 million in new contributions to the FSM Compact Trust Fund. The first $250 million was released in July and the other $250 million is scheduled for fiscal 2025.
The expanded U.S. social services, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also apply to FSM citizens who have migrated to U.S. states and territories.
“I look forward to maintaining momentum on compact implementation to ensure these vital services are accessible to all those who need them, as we all envisioned,” Simina said.
“I look forward to working together with the U.S. Congress and executive branch to ensure that our compact agreements are fully realized for the benefit of our citizens and our shared future,” he added.
Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman, commander of the Joint Task Force Micronesia, accompanied the congressional delegation and joined the meeting, which discussed the FSM veterans' concerns over delayed engagements from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Our service members sacrifice greatly in service of our common and shared values, and it is imperative that they receive the healthcare services and support they deserve,” Simina said.
“We are hopeful that our recent meetings with the VA will lead to improved collaboration and solutions that address the needs of our veterans,” the FSM leader added.
During the same week, the Yap government reported the arrival of a U.S. delegation of congressional staffers led by John Noph.
“The purpose of this visit is to conduct a site visit, offer support for an ongoing U.S. defense project in Yap State, and engage in meetings with Yap leadership to oversee the U.S. military presence in the FSM,” according to an announcement posted on YapGov’s Facebook page.
The Yap government said the delegation was set to meet with state officials “to discuss matters related to U.S. defense projects and regional security.”
The U.S. Air Force plans to invest $400 million in Yap to expand the island state’s airport facility to accommodate U.S. military operations.
The U.S. military has marked the Yap airport as a strategic spot for training activities and a potential divert airfield for defense operations.
The congressional staffers were accompanied by Randel L. Sablan, senior advisor for regional political-military affairs at Joint Task Force-Micronesia, and James H. Findley, an officer at the U.S. Embassy.
Details about the Yap visit were not currently available.
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