The Fourth Annual Western Pacific Public Auditors Meeting

Delegates from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Palau, Virgin Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) assembled on November 30 to December 2, 2004 at the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Fourth Annual Meeting with the U.S Inspector General, U.S Department of Interior (DOI) and his staff. Attendees representing the Office of FSM Public Auditor were Haser Hainrick, National Public Auditor, Ryan Torvik, Audit Manager and Sophia H. Pretrick, Investigative Auditor.

Each island nation presented their agency reports that included updates on their organizations' accomplishments, challenges, capacity building, training needs and office operations. The Inspector General, Mr. Earl Devaney eagerly listened to each country's areas of concern and noted his desire to address those issues. The Liaison Officer for the Insular Areas, Mr. Ben Privitt, discussed and summarized the 2004 activities, such as the donating of used computers, FBI training in Guam, 60-days hands on training with OIG Offices and training for Investigators in Georgia. The meeting also included a presentation on the selection of CPA firms concerning the Single Audit and a half-day lecture on interviewing techniques for political corruption. OIG staff also prearranged a trip for the attendees to visit the Hoover Dam, a DOI facility, towards the end of the conference.

The meeting was extremely useful for each member country, as such provided them the opportunity to distinguish what they need and could do to improve their own organizations. The Western Pacific Public Auditors' meeting is held annually and funded by the OIG to review their activities on yearly basis.