Five choices

for American Samoans

American Samoans, who like most Pacific Islanders are look ing for new forms of govern ment which, it is felt, might be better than those already exist

ing, have five options according

to their Political Status Com mission.

I The commission set up last year was financed by funds voted by the present legislature when money pro mised from a private source was not forthcoming.

The members of the commission visited other territories in the Pacific and reported back to Pago Pago in December.

The five choices which the com mission is presenting for discussion are (1) independence; (2) union with Western Samoa; (3) union with Hawaii; (4) become an organised territory like Guam or the Virgin Islands i.e. virtually part of the US except citizens don’t vote in US elections or send delegates to Con gress; or (5) become a common wealth like Puerto p jco, m free association with the United States.

Fact finding tour

When a similar Political Status Commission from the US Trust Ferritory had a fact finding tour of he South Pacific in 1969 and re sorted to HQ, it recommended lomething similar to American Jamoans’ choice 5.

However, the Samian commission s not recommending anvthing ipecific. It is conducting a series of neetings in various districts, with itudents of local high schools, wit*» nembers of the public and will iventually report back to the legisla te.

It was said that the 30 chiefs who ye re the first to receive the report eacted to it with “mixed f eelings”.

At present American Samoa is an inincorporated territory of the Jnited States. The Samoans are lationals of, and have access to, the Jnited States and mav become it'zens after residence in fi»e US and meeting the necessary requirements.