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New Year to bring changes to FSM postal services

FSM Postal Service

The Federated States of Micronesia Postal Service announces that beginning January 8 2006, the FSM will become an international destination for mail services from the United States.

According to the FSM Postal Service, the US domestic postal rates normally applied to FSM's incoming mail from the US and its mailing points of Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas will be changed to the international rates.

While the rate change affects the nation's incoming mail from all US points, the US domestic rate will remain applicable for FSM's outgoing mail within the four states and to all US points.

However, a rate increase is expected to take effect January 8 2006, for US domestic postage rates, and accordingly - the FSM domestic mail services will also increase.

These postal service changes have been expected since the 2003 signing of the amended Compact of Free Association with the US. A provision of the amended Compact was that when the US Postal Service raises its domestic postage rates, the FSM and the Republic of Marshall Islands would be phased in as international destinations.

The amended Postal Agreement further states that certain special postal services of the USPS currently accessed by the FSM would also end on December 31, 2005. Among the special services to cease are: express mail(without guarantee), registered mail, insured parcel service, recorded delivery, COD and money orders.

According to the FSMPS, discussions are underway with Bank of Guam to secure for the FSM a Postal Money Order service. This could delay the termination of the USPS Postal Money Order until the FSM secures its own.

The FSMPS further states that the current changes in the US and FSM postal services will not affect the existing zip codes of the four FSM States.

For further information please contact:

FSM Office of the President
Public Information: Press, Radio, Video
P.O Box 34
Palikir Station, Pohnpei, FM 96941
Tel.: (691) 320-2548/2092
Fax.: (691) 320-4356
e-mail: fsmpio@mail.fm
http://www.fsmpio.fm/