The Chuuk State government is (yet again) preparing to hold a referendum on March 5, 20 to determine if Chuukese citizens want to leave the FSM and the US to become the Republic of Chuuk. Defiantly, the Chuuk Political Status Commission (CPSC) which openly advocates for secession from the FSM chose to hold this special election on the
Disturbingly, when asked about the fate of the thousands of Chuukese holding FSM passports living in the US if Chuuk secedes from the FSM, the CPSC have no real solution other than to negotiate another COFA…something that took over 20 years for the FSM and Palau. The legal counsel for the CPSC, Mr. Sabino Asor, has even publicly claimed to have held talks with US representatives in the FSM about the option of negotiating another COFA for Chuuk to which the US Ambassador denied.
For now, monitor the Chuuk Reform website (www.chuukstate.org), add your voice to our online petition to keep the FSM united, educate yourself on the implications of this Chuuk secession movement on the lives of Chuukese in the US. Attend public hearing (if any is held in the coming months) and ask a lot of questions of those who support this movement. Do your own research and show up to vote on March 5th.
Perhaps, this March 5th we should plan to mobilize our large gatherings to show up to vote against this suicidal and illegal act of defiance by a few leaders who may benefit more from a Republic of Chuuk.
Dr. Vid Raatior
Dr. Vid Raatior is a proud Chuukese parent, educator, citizen blogger, and social entrepreneur living in the US.
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Pros and cons on the “Separation Chuuk” must be shared with our beloved people of Chuuk for we all need to understand and know where we are heading….Otherwise we will all be just like a chicken running around with no head….not knowing what we put ourselves into….. Thanks Dr. Vid for the asaraman ekiek….