by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Chief executives from around the Micronesian region joined Assistant Secretary for the Office of Insular Affairs Tony Babauta and Guam Delegate Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo during a closed-door executive session of the Inaugural Pacific Island Leaders Addressing Compact Impact (PILACI). Also scheduled to be included in the discussions via conference call was Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz.

"And having said that," Babauta, "we'll all find that we have a role to play and we're better as a group of leaders to try to digest the information, the data and the challenges associated with migration from the FAS and find solutions amongst ourselves."

Babauta intends to hold the PILACI every year thereafter to gather information and make partnerships. It's estimated Guam is owed anywhere between $400-$500 million in Compact impact reimbursements.