Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor announced to His Excellency FSM President David. W. Panuelo that Ambassador Karen B. Stewart and Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Douglas Domenech as the U.S. lead negotiators for the upcoming U.S. and FSM Compact renegotiations for the expiring financial provisions of the Amended Compact.
President Panuelo expressed his appreciation to Ambassador on the delivery of the medical supplies as well the COVID-19 test kits that were recently received. “You are very welcome, and we are in this together, we are working very arduously to make sure that we provide the much needed assistance” said Ambassador Cantor.
Ambassador Cantor acknowledged President Panuelo prompt action in designating FSMs Chief Negotiator Leo A. Falcam. “We look forward to reengaging with the FSM even though COVID-19 has delayed this process, given the importance of the matter, we look forward to working with you” said Ambassador Cantor.
Ambassador Karen B. Stewart served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands in July 2016- January 2020 and had previously served as Ambassador in Laos and Belarus. President Panuelo acknowledged the selection of Ambassador Stewart, who he met with briefly in the Marshall Islands with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie. “What a good surprise that we are getting Ambassador Stewart, someone that understands the region very well, which is a very important factor in these discussions” said President Panuelo.
President Panuelo also recognized Assistant Secretary Douglas Domenech as a person that has worked closely with the Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning (JCRP), which is an office that was established committee of national executive and legislative branches and state representatives to prepare for the expiration of certain economic and financial provisions of the Amended Compact.
Also present in the meeting were Secretary Kandhi A. Elieisar, FSM Department of Foreign Affairs; Special Advisor to the President for Political and Foreign Affairs Mr. Lorin Robert; Chief of Staff Leo Falcam Jr; Public Information Officer Mr. Richard Clark and Ms. Lynn Pangelinan, Political and Economic Specialist, U.S. Embassy Kolonia.