Micronesia

Still friends in Micronesia

Although the Micronesians voted by more than three to one in favour of the covenant which will set up the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas—voting in the plebiscite in June was 78.9 per cent in favour of union with America—there’s still a lot of sentimental regard for the rest of the Trust Territory.

So much so, in fact, that the Marianas senators reversed a previ ous decision and decided to take part in the Micronesian Constitutional Congress scheduled to begin mid- July.

In view of that, there was a sur prising lack of interest by the Marianas in the Trust Territory-wide referendum in July over future poli tical status. Only five per cent of the Marianas people cast their votes, and reports were that the voting was “generally low” throughout the terri tory.

Results were not available for the Marshalls and the Carolines.

Any real opposition to the Mari anas decision to separate from the rest seems to have disappeared— nowadays there are only good wishes voiced by all—and it is expected that the US Congress will ratify the covenant shortly. President Ford has sent it to Congress with his “strong endorsement”.