Rocks Ahead In
p. 134 · Read in the full issue
Micronesia Talks
The seventh round in the negoti ations between Micronesia’s Joint Committee on Future Status and the United States is expected to open in Washington in May.
The last round of talks, held in Hawaii, ended suddenly on October 6 when the United States refused to discuss the Micronesian’s new request for the negotiations to include inde pendence as a goal.
There is little indication of any change of attitude on anybody’s part.
The United States has maintained silence. The Micronesians seem tc have become more bitter. Latest comment was contained in a release from the Congress office.
“What has brought the ‘economic question home to many Micro nesians,” the release said, “is theii inability in the last four years tc negotiate a political status of free association with the United States, ar arrangement which most Micronesian: felt to be more favourable to Unitec States interests than their own. Th< Micronesian leaders are now realising that the United States is prepared anc intends to stall the negotiations unti the Micronesians make more con cessions.”
Another bone of contention chewei by the congress was the alleged re fusal of the United States to allov the President of the Senate to serv< as Deputy High Commissioner. / resolution demanding this was passe< by the House of Representatives oi February 13. It was proposed b] Representative Olkeriil who declared “The people of Micronesia wil eventually get fed up with the Unite< States if it continues to ignore ou wishes and desires in the developmen of these islands . . . America mus understand that colonialism an* paternalism have no place in Micro nesia today.”
Another rock on which the talk might founder is separate status fa the Marianas. The committee’s atti tude is hardening against separafc negotiations as evidenced by a resold tion in the senate by Salii whic: claimed that “the Congress of Micro nesia, through the Joint Committe on Future Status, is the sole authoritl in the Trust Territory of the Paciff Islands which is legally authorise: and empowered to conduct negotJ ations with regard to the futun political status of the Trust Territory including all parts thereof”.