Download 3.08 MB The man at the centre of Micronesia's breakaway from the Pacific Islands Forum, says there is 'no easy way back' into the forum but while the five countries may have left the regional body, they have not left the Pacific. Marshall Islands' Ambassador to the United States, Gerald Zackios, was Micronesia's candidate in the recent election for the post of Forum Secretary-General. When he was defeated by former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna by a single vote, the Micronesian bloc carried out their threat to quit, arguing a gentlemen's agreement to appoint Mr Zackios had been broken.