Another Interesting Work Situation from Ulithi, Courtesy of Our Nat'l FSM Dept. of Justice
Well, in short, it's been a matter of great pride to Yapese people that the Ambassador to the USA for all of the FSM's existence (some 22 years or something, depending on when start counting) has been an Outer Islander from Yap, Jesse M. from Falalop, Ulithi. In short, auditors uncovered a lot of . . . inconsistencies in his staff's cash-handling and in the office management (quite normal for FSM, sadly). But US FBI & Homeland Security agents also discovered that the Filipino limo driver at the Embassy was selling FSM passports (which allow unrestricted entrance in the USA). Jesse M. was recalled by the FSM President (another Outer Islander from Woleai) and will be replaced. The staff of 2 or 3 persons was also brought home. This all occurred over the last year; I've posted some links.
Anyway, the national government sent two Assistant Attorneys General and an Audito last about 11 days ago, along with some (armed) national policemen, and they conscripted a few of our State police officers, and they went rifling through the former Ambassador's home in Ulithi over the night. After searching his home down the road from my house that day. Armed national agents going through your stuff in the middle of the night. Yes, Mr. Crabtree, the national AAG in charge, is really teaching the people of FSM how a "Free Society (TM)" operates.
I didn't know anything of it for nearly a week after, then I caught some chatter on the www.micsem.org forum online. Then the media called, so I issued a statement, below.
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This is to confirm that according to my discussions with Public Safety and Sea Transportation officers, the "Micronesia 2" (a national police vessel) arrived from Palau to Yap the morning of April 25, 2007. Assistant FSM AG Matt Olmstead and FSM national police officer Lt. Johnny Santos arrived (I understand by air) as well that morning. Olmstead and Santos requested assistance of 2 Yap DPS officers to accompany them to Ulithi and serve. The two officers accompanied them on a departure of the Micronesia 2 at mid-morning on the 25th, arriving at Falalop, Ulithi around 6 pm.
The Yap DPS officers served the original search warrant and other documents to the former Ambassador's sister at the residence on Falalop, Ulithi, and performed a search of the home under the FSM AAG's direction. The Assistant AG from the FSM Department of Justice selected some boxes of documents that the two Yap officers had located and seized those boxes. FSM AAG Olmstead also apparently seized some cases of wine. They ended the search and departed Ulithi in the early morning hours, returning to Yap port on the 26th.
The "Micronesia 2" departed Yap the following morning on the 26th. We understand AAG Olmstead took the boxes of documents and wine back to Pohnpei.
At the same time, on the 25th, another FSM AAG named Pole' (not sure of last name) apparently requested assistance of two Yap DPS officers and performed a search in conjunction with a representative from the FSM Auditors' office. This search was performed in Yap, at a residence on the main road near Talguw. Two Yap DPS officers were present to secure the perimeter, but were not directly involved in the search.
Each year, the national Department of Justice executes a Joint Law Enforcement Agreement with each of the States. The JLEA obligates the States (Offices of Attorney General and Departments of Public Safety) to assist the national Dept. of Justice in investigation, prosecution, enforcement and execution of national laws. Each year, the national DoJ is obligated to pay funds to the States to cover expenses, and the DoJ has paid its allotment to Yap around the end of March 2007.
Regards, Ron
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Olmstead and his boss were also involved in a similar search and seizure in Chuuk, and the people of the island allegedly attacked and imprisoned the other American AAG, named Matt Crabtree, who has now moved back to Virginia.
Olmstead's comments to our police officer, my friend Calisio, was "Wow, these people are peaceful."
I suppose they are for now. You send armed officers into their homes in the middle of the night, and they might not be so peaceful -- next time.
I'm pretty much disgusted.
Anyway, the national government sent two Assistant Attorneys General and an Audito last about 11 days ago, along with some (armed) national policemen, and they conscripted a few of our State police officers, and they went rifling through the former Ambassador's home in Ulithi over the night. After searching his home down the road from my house that day. Armed national agents going through your stuff in the middle of the night. Yes, Mr. Crabtree, the national AAG in charge, is really teaching the people of FSM how a "Free Society (TM)" operates.
I didn't know anything of it for nearly a week after, then I caught some chatter on the www.micsem.org forum online. Then the media called, so I issued a statement, below.
----------------
This is to confirm that according to my discussions with Public Safety and Sea Transportation officers, the "Micronesia 2" (a national police vessel) arrived from Palau to Yap the morning of April 25, 2007. Assistant FSM AG Matt Olmstead and FSM national police officer Lt. Johnny Santos arrived (I understand by air) as well that morning. Olmstead and Santos requested assistance of 2 Yap DPS officers to accompany them to Ulithi and serve. The two officers accompanied them on a departure of the Micronesia 2 at mid-morning on the 25th, arriving at Falalop, Ulithi around 6 pm.
The Yap DPS officers served the original search warrant and other documents to the former Ambassador's sister at the residence on Falalop, Ulithi, and performed a search of the home under the FSM AAG's direction. The Assistant AG from the FSM Department of Justice selected some boxes of documents that the two Yap officers had located and seized those boxes. FSM AAG Olmstead also apparently seized some cases of wine. They ended the search and departed Ulithi in the early morning hours, returning to Yap port on the 26th.
The "Micronesia 2" departed Yap the following morning on the 26th. We understand AAG Olmstead took the boxes of documents and wine back to Pohnpei.
At the same time, on the 25th, another FSM AAG named Pole' (not sure of last name) apparently requested assistance of two Yap DPS officers and performed a search in conjunction with a representative from the FSM Auditors' office. This search was performed in Yap, at a residence on the main road near Talguw. Two Yap DPS officers were present to secure the perimeter, but were not directly involved in the search.
Each year, the national Department of Justice executes a Joint Law Enforcement Agreement with each of the States. The JLEA obligates the States (Offices of Attorney General and Departments of Public Safety) to assist the national Dept. of Justice in investigation, prosecution, enforcement and execution of national laws. Each year, the national DoJ is obligated to pay funds to the States to cover expenses, and the DoJ has paid its allotment to Yap around the end of March 2007.
Regards, Ron
-----------------------
Olmstead and his boss were also involved in a similar search and seizure in Chuuk, and the people of the island allegedly attacked and imprisoned the other American AAG, named Matt Crabtree, who has now moved back to Virginia.
Olmstead's comments to our police officer, my friend Calisio, was "Wow, these people are peaceful."
I suppose they are for now. You send armed officers into their homes in the middle of the night, and they might not be so peaceful -- next time.
I'm pretty much disgusted.