Independence Claim Puts Spanner

In Micronesian-Us. Works

From a Honolulu correspondent

Micronesia’s political future went into the melting pot in Hawaii on October 6 with the sudden ending by the United States of the sixth round of negotiations over a free political association for the islands with the US.

Faced with a new demand from the Micronesian Congress for double barrelled talks on a pact of free as sociation and for independence (PIM, Oct., p. 11), America called a halt after eight days, and left the date of the next talks in the air.

Though the whole thing was couched in the language of diplomacy, and all exchanges were friendly, there was no mistaking the attitude of the US Ambassador Frank Haydn Wil liams, who told the Micronesians that there would be no arrangement that did not ensure a continued Ameri can presence in the area.

The Americans were aware, of course, of the new situation before the talks began on September 28,

following the surprising about-turn

by the Congress of Micronesia, which refused at its special session at Ponape in September to ratify the agree ments reached at the Washington talks on the Draft Compact of Free Association. Instead, the Congress told the status committee to add independence to its goals. (PIM, Oct., p. ID- Senator Salii, the status committee chairman, was then upset and bitter at the change in direction. Ambas sador Williams was perplexed. Con gress had already approved free as sociation as the objective, and now independence had reared its head.

This was the backround as the sixth round of talks began.

At the talks, the Micronesians were dissatisfied with financial projections.

They wanted a budget of SUSIOO million, $4O million more than the United States had earmarked for it.

They were dissatisfied with what they considered was the vagueness of the US over its military plans and the unsatisfactory programme to com pensate the owners of the land.

Senator Salii said his committee had been authorised to continue negotiations regarding “the establish ment of Micronesia as an independent nation while continuing the negotia tions towards free association. There is an important and growing senti ment in Micronesia for independence on its own merits.”

He added that the “Congress of Micronesia took the position that the only acceptable type of plebiscite which would one day be submitted to the people of Micronesia must include the choice of more than one political alternative.”

Ambassador Williams replied, “We also came to the talks with concern at the changed atmosphere. Reluc tantly, we have come to the con clusion there are indeed degrees of uncertainty which cannot be wholly dismissed.”

After referring to the “diversity of opinion and the lack of solidarity” shown by the Micronesians, Haydn Williams said. “You can hardly ex pect the United States Government, in addressing free association, to make binding financial offers, proposals of termination and recommendations about the transitional process when it has not had the opportunity to consider the new framework within which we are now negotiating. The United States will not move pre maturely or piecemeal on such important matters.”

After several other exchanges with the Micronesians clearly wanting the talks to continue and the Americans determined not to talk about anything except a postponement of the talks, Ambassador Williams said, “The situation which led to the Trust Ter ritories’ designation as a strategic

trust will continue to exist whatevet your future status might be.

“I cannot imagine, for instance that my government would agree t«; termination of the trusteeship on termi which would in any way threatei: stability in the area and which would in the opinion of the United States endanger international peace an»i security. Aside from such securit; considerations I can visualis* relatively few issues that would neet to be negotiated. Taking all of thi foregoing into account I feel thi time has come for a pause.” HI suggested that the Micronesians, too should use the pause for a re evaluation.

Salii stressed the urgency oc completing the draft Compact of Fre; Association.

“There can be no doubt,” he said “that the pressures for the statui of independence are growing and . continuing delay in the developmenr of the Compact of Free Associatior might make these pressures irresis tible”.

Salii’s apprehension is real. HI believes that because the independence movement is growing stronger, ; lengthy intermission might lead thi Micronesians to believe that thi attempt to work out a free association with the US failed —and the demanu for independence will take control..

It seems vital that the parties shouli get together again as soon after thi forthcoming Micronesian elections aE is possible, and come to a decision.

Key differences to be resolved an the termination clause of the compao (whether the Micronesians can or for independence or some other statu: within five or 15 years), and thi amount of money which the US i willing to provide.

As the Honolulu Advertiser said in an editorial: “The outlook is mon uncertain, but not impossible. Whs could, and should not, happen is situation where nobody wins—when the powerless Micronesians don’t go the future status they want ami where the US gets another inten national black eye by placinr our ‘security’ above other peoples; humanity.”

The US meanwhile should mow ahead on talks with the Marianas people for a separate, closer relatiom ship with the US. The present dit Acuities apply only to the Marshall! 1 and Carolines,