FSM SUPREME COURT
TRIAL DIVISION
Cite as Chuuk v. Land Known as Mononong,
5 FSM Intrm. 272 (Chk. 1992)

[5 FSM Intrm. 272]

CHUUK STATE,
Plaintiff,

v.

LAND KNOWN AS MONONONG
A-1, KACHUTOSY PAULUS
and unknown others,
Defendants.

FSM CIV. 1991-1033
 
OPINION
 
Richard H. Benson
Associate Justice
FSM Supreme Court
March 2, 1992

APPEARANCES:
For the Plaintiff:            Martin Pankove
                                       Chuuk State Attorney
                                       P.O. Box 189
                                       Weno, Chuuk  FM 96942

For the Defendants:     Maketo Robert
                                       Attorney at Law
                                       Kolonia, Pohnpei  FM 96941

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HEADNOTE
Jurisdiction - Removal
     A motion for removal will be denied where, in an action in eminent domain under Truk State law the only defense available are those relating to the taking, and the counterclaims asserted as a basis for national court

[5 FSM Intrm. 273]

jurisdiction do not fall within a defense to the taking.  Chuuk v. Land Known as Mononong, 5 FSM Intrm. 272, 273 (Chk. 1992).

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COURT'S OPINION
RICHARD H. BENSON, Associate Justice:
     This matter came before me on the motion of the defendant for an order removing Civil Action 199-91 from the Chuuk State Supreme Court to this court.

     The action was commenced in this court pursuant only to this motion, and a notice of hearing.  No other pleadings were filed.  The procedural aspect of the matter was not put in issue.  Because of my decision on the motion, I will not decide the procedural problem presented.  Koike v. Ponape Rock Products Co., 1 FSM Intrm. 496 (Pon. 1984).

     This case was submitted to me on the motion, on plaintiff's response, and on the pleadings in the state court furnished me by the defendant upon my request.

     The state brings its action in eminent domain under Truk State Law No. 2-1, Section 219 of which limits the defenses available to those relating to the taking, issues of either public purpose of just compensation.

     In his counterclaim the defendant asserts national constitution and national law claims on which he bases his assertion of this court's jurisdiction.  The plaintiff contends that these claims do not fall within a defense to the taking.  I agree.

     The motion is accordingly denied.

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