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Micronesia, Federated States of

Country in the west Pacific Ocean, forming part of the archipelago of the Caroline Islands, 800 km/497 mi east of the Philippines.

Government

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a federation of four states: Kosrae; Yap; Pohnpei; and Chuuk. Under its 1979 constitution, it has a mixed parliamentary and presidential political executive. It has a single-chamber legislature, the 14-member National Congress of the FSM. Each state elects one ‘senator-at-large’ to the Congress for a four-year term. The remaining ten senators are elected for two years, their seats distributed on a population basis. Each state has its own constitution, governor, and assembly. The federal president, who is head of state and government, and vice-president are elected by the Congress from among the four ‘senators-at-large’. The president works with a cabinet of around five members. There are no organized political parties, with political allegiances depending on island- and family-related factors.

History

The islands were initially settled by Micronesians in the 2nd millennium BC, and a powerful local Saudeleur dynasty ruled from a base near Pohnpei island between AD 500 and 1500. Originally colonized by Spain in the 16th century, the islands were sold to Germany in 1899 and then occupied by Japan from 1914 during World War I. They were captured by the USA in 1944, during World War II, and designated a United Nations trust territory, under US administration, in 1947.

From 1965 there were demands for greater autonomy and a commission was set up to propose a future political status for the islands. In 1979 four of the Pacific Islands' Trust Territories agreed a new constitution to become the Federated States of Micronesia; Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Northern Marianas Islands decided not to join. In 1986 the FSM signed a Compact of Free Association with the USA, under which the USA retained responsibility for the islands' defence and foreign affairs. In November 1986 US president Reagan issued a proclamation ending his country's administration of Micronesia, including the FSM. The UN trusteeship arrangement was formally terminated 1990 and the FSM became an independent sovereign state. Diplomatic relations were established with neighbouring states and widespread international recognition followed. The FSM became a member of the UN 1991.

Bailey Olter was elected president 1991 in the first elections since independence, and was re-elected 1995. Mzanny Mori was elected president in May 2007.