to being American

Marianas now closer to being American

From a Saipan correspondent

The Marianas and US delegations at the December third round of talks on the Marianas’ future had taken the two sides “significantly nearer” an agreement which “will assure the people of the Marianas a secure place in the American political system”, said US Ambassador Haydn Williams, “Now that this session is con cluded,” said Senator Edward Pange linan, leader of the Marianas’ delega tion, “the members (of the delegation) have pledged themselves to take the fruits of our labours to the people”.

Which all seems to add up to some thing concrete having been achieved in the December 6-19 session.

In brief, the delegations, if not necessarily the Marianas people, have come to terms on a wide range of subjects.

Provisional agreement was reached on these points: • Most people born in the Marianas prior to the establishment of the “Commonwealth” and certain classes of persons residing but not born in the Marianas would become US citizens. 0 People living in the Marianas and not in any other part of the US would be subject to Federal income tax: only on income earned in the US. • The Marianas would not be in cluded in the Customs territory of the US. 0 Exports from the Marianas into the US Customs territory would be subjected to the conditions which now apply to Guam. ® Direct financial support initially would amount to SUSI4.S million a year ($7.5 million for budgetary sup port for government operations, $3 million for capital improvement pro jects, Si million grant to a develop ment loan fund, and S 3 million in the form of Federal Government pro grammes and services).

Land policy remains more complex although the Marianas delegation is reported to have expressed satisfac tion with the November 2 US policy statement —that public lands be re turned. The Marianas delegation indicated its intention to recommend the establishment of a non-profit making corporation controlled by the people to receive and administer public lands once they are transferred to the Marianas District. This would

continue in operation until the estabd lishment of a Marianas Government The Marianas delegation mad! several proposals on the US use oo land for military purposes: • The small uninhabited island oc Farallon de Medinilla would be available for continued US use. • The US would be able to us?

Tanapag Harbour, Saipan, joint!! with the Marianas Government bit the 320 acres requested by the Ul should be returned “to the publii domain’’. (The delegation, however suggested that agreements be entered into to restrict the use of the 32! acres by civilians so that it could be preserved for future military use i needed.) • Isley Field, Saipan, would b: under civilian control but availabll to the US military forces and 25i acres adjoining the field would b: leased to the US. A further adjoinini 250 acres would be made subject tl the same restrictive covenants apply ing to the land adjacent to Tanapai Harbour. • Tinian Island negotiations woull continue for US requirements. (Th US continues to say it wants two thirds of Tinian for military purpose including the harbour.) US military needs will be a majc topic at the fourth round expected tl begin sometime soon after March. - In his spare time on Saipan, Ann bassador Williams had talks will Senator Lazarus Salii, chairman c the Micronesian Joint Committee ot Future Status, in an attempt to re start the talks which foundered ii November over the question c America’s future financial commii ments in Micronesia (PIM, Jan, 21).

Later, Senator Salii, who agreed had been a good meeting, said the decided to hold another round c talks “when both sides are ready’

But first, economic experts in bot) camps will be asked to assess th Trust Territory’s financial needs ove the next 10 to 15 years. The exper will probably meet towards the en of January while the Congress c Micronesia is sitting at Saipan.

If a face-saving figure is agreed a by the experts, the two sides can tak it from there and continue the talk: with a better chance of success, sorm where around March.