FSM CITIZENS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE LEGAL SERVICES

October 19, 2007

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service): October 19, 2007 - The FSM Embassy in Washington through the Department of Foreign Affairs has announced the restoration of eligibility for the Legal Services of the Legal Service Corporation to FSM Citizens.

In his letter, James Naich, Charge d' Affairs, of the FSM Embassy in Washington stated that he is pleased to inform all the FSM Citizens that the Board of Directors of the Legal Service Corporation, during its meeting on September 11, 2007 in Washington DC, unanimously voted to restore the eligibility of the FSM citizens to its freely legal services.

About six years ago, the Legal Services Corporation ceased providing legal representation to the FSM citizens residing in the US.

The restoration of eligibility goes into effect on October 15, 2007 and it applies to all FSM citizens residing in the United States, including Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Island, who might not have otherwise afforded legal representation in civil cases.