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Babauta sits down with Micronesian leaders
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Posted on Jul 14 2004
Gov. Juan N. Babauta met with Micronesian chief executives on Guam to discuss about regional cooperation on various concerns, such as establishing a regional medical center, studying the feasibility of a “satellite school,” and regionally promoting tourism.
Babauta met with the islands’ chief executives during the two-day 3rd Western Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit, which ended yesterday.
At the summit, Babauta met with Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, Yap Gov. Robert Ruecho and Palau President Tommy Remengesau, CNMI press secretary Pete Callaghan said.
“Six areas of concern were identified at the previous summits where regional solutions may benefit all of the islands participating. They are the environment, transportation, telecommunications, health, tourism and education,” Callaghan said.
“While each island may have unique issues in these areas, the summit is designed to forge solutions that will benefit all the islands through mutual cooperation,” he added.
Callaghan said working groups reported to the leaders their recommendations on the areas of concern. The leaders were set to meet to prioritize regional concerns, he said.
The summit floated ideas such as the establishment of a regional committee on telecommunications “to have more authority when petitioning the Federal Communications Committee on regional inclusion in communications policy.”
Callaghan also said the health working group proposed the establishment of a regional medical center on Guam to reduce the costs of medical referrals.
“The education working group is examining the feasibility of a ‘satellite school,’ where classes can be broadcast to remoter areas without the need for teachers to travel or costly schools to be built,” he added.
Leaders also discussed regional tourism promotions at major Asian travel fairs, Callaghan said. They also discussed regional recycling of metals and better control of the fishing industry.
