Ponape, A Future Capital
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
The Congress of Micronesia in August voted in favour of Ponape in the Carolines as the site of the future capital of Micronesia.
Debate on the issue has been simmering ever since the Northern Marianas chose to become a US commonwealth, thus removing Saipan, largest and most populous island in the Marianas chain, as a contender.
During the debate in the House of Representatives, Truk representative Refonopei said that, despite his earlier support for siting the capital in the Faichuk area of! ruk, he would vote in support of Ponape because a majority of members favoured it.
However, Congressman Polycarp Basilius, on behalf of the Palau delegation, said that because the Palauans favoured a future political status relationship with the USA “which is distinct and separate from that of the other districts of Micronesia”, Palau representatives would not vote on the issue.
The three Palau members left the House before the vote was taken.
The four Marshalls representatives declined to take part in the vote on the same grounds as those from Palau. But as they remained in the House during the vote, they were counted, under House rules, as having voted affirmatively.