Text Fwd: NEW ARMORY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN KOLONIA, POHNPEI

* Text fwd from Mike Reitz and Kyle Kajihiro on Feb. 11, 2011

…if you’ve even been to Pohnpei, there’s no way to make sense of this.
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U.S. Embassy
Palikir, Pohnpei
Feb. 9, 2011


NEW ARMORY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN KOLONIA, POHNPEI


On Feb. 2, Pohnpei State Department of Public Safety held a ground breaking ceremony for a new armory in Kolonia Town. Attending the event was Pohnpei Lt. Gov. Churchill Edward, Department of Public Safety Director Lucas Carlos, U.S. Embassy chargé d’ affaires Lori Dando, Larry Adams of ABCOR, and members of the Pohnpei State Department of Public Safety.
Funded by the U.S. Pacific Command Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, the armory is one of three facilities to be constructed in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), two of which will be located on Pohnpei. Upon completing of the armories, the FSM National Police, Pohnpei State Public Safety, and Yap State Public Safety will have the means to properly house and secure weapons and ammunition for the first time.


During her remarks at the ceremony, Dando said: "The Pohnpei State Armory and those who guard it will ensure that the contents of facility are utilized only for their intended purpose: to ensure public safety. Public safety and security are values shared by the citizens of our two nations, and are of the utmost significance to uphold democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights."


Speaking on behalf of Pohnpei, Edward thanked the U.S. government for funding the armory, noting the uptick of ground breakings and ribbon cuttings for U.S.-funded projects across Pohnpei.


In 2010, the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force provided weapons training to FSM national police, the Pohnpei Department of Public Safety and the Yap State Department of Public Safety. Training will continue this July.


The Joint Inter-Agency Task Force is the U.S. Pacific Command’s executive agent for U.S. Department of Defense support to law enforcement drug-related transnational organized crime to reduce threats in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides technical assistance, training, and support to law enforcement, and combats in order to protect national security interests and promote regional stability. It is based in Hawaii.