The Federal States of Micronesia (FSM) has participated once with a voluntary contribution of $300 to UNIFICYP (UNDPI 1996, 708). Also, “the FSM has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since March 2006” (RAMSI 2006c, par. 1). The reasons why the FSM does not participate are strongly related to the same reasons why countries in this group do not contribute: lack of defence forces, need to diversify the economy, demographics and their foreign policy agenda focused more on climate change and international development. “Micronesia includes peacekeeping forces as part of its military expenditure” (EarthTrends 2003, 5). No further detail was possible to obtain at this time.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
H.E. Redley Killion (2006), Vice-president of the Federated States of Micronesia, stated to the 61st United Nations General Assembly to the UN:
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
H.E. Redley Killion (2006), Vice-president of the Federated States of Micronesia, stated to the 61st United Nations General Assembly to the UN:
We are keenly aware of the remaining awesome task of implementing the reform measures for this Organization. We are nonetheless encouraged by the significant achievements so far made since the adoption of the Outcome Document of the World Summit last year…The UN has made great strides, for instance, in constituting the Human Rights Council, in launching the Peace Building Commission, and in endorsing the implementing resolution on development. (2006, par. 3)
With regards to the Security Council reform:
The reform of the Security Council itself should remain a high priority agenda
item. My country would like to reiterate its position as expressed in previous years: we support a restructured Security Council that reflects the realities of the present international society. For the Council to be effective and meaningful, its working methods should be improved and its membership, both permanent and non-permanent, needs to be expanded. We must give new impetus to the reform process and seek new ways, with an open mind, to achieve the institutional reform of the United Nations. (Ibid., par. 4-5)
Perception of peacekeeping
The perceptions are positive, because Micronesia is currently in the process of engaging in UN peace operations.
Domestic political environment
Ensuring international support is the main concern. Due to the fact that given the inevitable economic weaknesses stemming from their isolated geographical position and, in Polynesia and Micronesia, an acute lack of resources and land, the Pacific island states can be assured of continued substantial support from Australia, New Zealand, the EU, Japan and, increasingly, China, as well as institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and the UN Development Program (BBC 2006al, par. 3). The FSM is also concerned about the situation of the rising seas. However, while most island countries are resigned to the conditions, such as higher standards of governance, greater transparency and accountability, now being attached to aid, they are not well equipped to fulfill them (Ibid.).
Domestic economic environment
Other than US payments, the Micronesian economy is markedly underdeveloped (Thomson 2006k, par. 4). A clothing plant in Yap employs 500 workers in the country's largest private-sector industrial enterprise (Ibid.). The subsistence economy is thought to generate about 25% of GDP, but statistics from the government are incomplete and unreliable (Ibid.). No data could be uncovered to substantiate whether economic incentives served as the main reason to participate in UN peacekeeping operations.
Military affairs
The FSM maintains no armed forces (Ibid., par. 5). External security is the responsibility of the United States (Ibid.).
Foreign policy
Sustainable development remains a top priority for SIDS like Micronesia, but still requires overseas development assistance (ODA) from bilateral and multilateral donor partners alike (Killion 2006, par. 14). Perhaps engaging in UN peacekeeping will increase their position to attract more assistance; nevertheless, the FSM has already sought other alternatives. For example, the SIDS “continue to pin high hopes on the Mauritius Strategy as a blueprint for…sustainable development” (Ibid., par. 16).
The FSM participates in such regional organizations as the SPC, and South Pacific Forum (Thomson 2006k, par. 7). It also participates in the activities of other UN agencies (Ibid.). In 1999, FSM signed the constitution of UNESCO “to become the 188th member of that agency” (Ibid.). The government maintains overseas offices in Washington, D.C., Tokyo, Honolulu, and Guam (Ibid.).
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
As an island nation comprised mostly of low-lying small islands with large coastal areas, the FSM is vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change (Killion 2006, par. 11). Exposed to the effects of extreme weather events, our livelihood and traditions as island people, in fact our whole civilization, are under greater threat than ever before (Ibid.).
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
“Micronesia includes peacekeeping forces as part of its military expenditure” (EarthTrends 2003, 5). No further detail was possible to obtain at this time.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
No record.
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
No record.
