Hurdle Jumping In Micronesia

One of the last big hurdles remaining before the United States Trust Territories of Micronesia reach agreement with America over their future status was removed early in June. After two days of trouble-free talks on Saipan, the Compact of Free Association, which, if ratified by the Micronesian people in a referendum, will give them internal self-government, was initialled by both sides on June 2.

The US Congress could block its passage, but that is unlikely, and the people’s referendum is expected to favour

its adoption although dissident elements among the leaders of both the Carolines and the Marshalls may make full agree ment difficult in the closing stages.

One important obstacle yet to be sur mounted is that of Micronesian claims to its marine resources and differences which exist between them and the Americans over the Law of the Sea. But that will be tackled by the new 11-member Commis sion on Future Status and Transition which has been set up under the chair

manship of former Senator Andon Amaraich, of Truk.

The initialling of the compact came after five years and eight rounds of talks and was hailed as a personal triumph for Palau Senator Lazarus Salii, chairman of the Micronesia Joint Committee on Future Status, which ceased to exist at the close of the ceremony.

Mr Salii’s contribution had been a great one, said Mr Franklin Haydn Williams, President Ford’s personal ambassador, who led the US team. The Micronesian people and the United States owed Mr Salii a great debt.

“Lazarus”, Mr Williams continued, “you have been a great captain and a skill ed navigator. You have brought your ship safely through many a stormy negotiating sea and now, thanks in large measure to your efforts, the crossing is nearly over and the destined shore is in sight.”

The tasks of the new commission in clude renegotiation, if necessary, of the ex isting draft compact, the making of recommendations relating to the organisa tion and structure of the new government and the constitution and transition of government from the United States, as the trustee, to the new Government of Micronesia and the choice of a new capital.

The compact, which can be terminated unilaterally by either side after 15 years, provides that; • The Micronesians will have the sovereign right to choosy their own future political status; • Will govern themselves under their own laws and have full responsibility for their internal affairs; • Own and control all their lands and, • Will vest in the United States respon sibility and authority over foreign affairs and defence.

All Micronesians will be regarded as United States nationals, allowing them freedom of travel, residence and employ ment in the United States.

Approval of the compact must be by the votes of at least 55 per cent of the people including a majority in at least four of the six states of Micronesia.

The Marianas have already made a separate pact with the United States which gives them commonwealth status within the United States.

Just days after the Saipan ceremony, Ambassador Williams turned down a re quest by the Marshall Islands Political Status Commission for separate talks with the United States, saying that in the negotiations between America and the joint commission, the Marshalls would be free to exercise their inherent right to self determination.

Fiji’s walk-off in the third rugby test against Australia in June at the Sydney Cricket Ground was the most sickening in cident I have seen after watching football in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji for more than 40 years. It will take years to repair the damage to rugby relations between the two countries. I thoroughly agree with the president of the Australian Rugby Union, Mr R. E. McLaughlin, who said: “There’s no way a tour (of Fiji) will be on as far as I am concerned”. The day before the walk-off the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union executive, Mr Barry Sweetman, had extended an invitation to Australia to make an eight or nine-match tour of Fiji next year.

Mr McLaughlin was speaking about what had been a spiteful match, rather than the particular incident the ordering off of Fijian Josateki Sovau. He specifical ly avoided blaming either side for three massive brawls, which were a disgrace to the code. I attribute blame to the referee, Warwick Cooney. He should have taken very firm action early in the game when a few niggling incidents suggested there was worse to follow.

Twice after all-in brawls he penalised the Fijians. In all fairness, he should have ordered scrums. When so many players on both sides are involved in brawling, to suggest one player or one side is worse than the other defies the wisdom of Solomon. I have seen this type of open brawling in another test where Cooney was in control, between Australia and France at the SCG in 1972. And that was a match where very firm control was needed.

The Fijians must have been close to breaking point because of the decisions against them after the brawls, when Josateki Sovau was ordered off for alleged indiscriminate kicking. He did not want to go; when he went two or three players went a little way with him. Sovau went to the players’ enclosure where the non-playing members of the party, including injured captain Ilaitia Tuisese, were seated. He spoke to them, and went back on to the field. Significantly, neither Tuisese nor the team manager, Dr Mesake Biumaiwai, nor

A rugby test to turn the stomach

By Norman Baxter

assistant manager-coach Mike Light, moved to stop him.

Naturally, Cooney sent Sovau off again.

This time the team followed. A high Australian Rugby Union official called out loudly to the team management to get the players back to the field. He was rein forced by Mr Sweetman, FRU treasurer, George Pickering, and Pat Raddock, Fiji’s “Mr Rugby” for many years. Dr Biumaiwai, Mike Light and Tuisese acted quickly and told players to carry on the game.

The players obeyed and for the remainder of the match treated the small crowd to typical Fijian rugby. It was fast and open, with some one-handed passes 30 or 40 metres across the field to change the direction of an attack. 1 liked it, and so did the crowd, but memories of an unfortunate incident will remain. I agree with Mr McLaughlin that there should be no more matches between the two countries, unless it is one match only while Australia is in Fiji at the start or end of a tour. Let the guilty players on both sides reach rugby retiring age before another tour is con

templated.

And Josateki joins a small company of players sent off in a rugby test Cyril Brownlie (NZ), against England 1924-25; Colin Meads (NZ), against Scotland 1967; Mike Burton (England), against Australia 1975, and Latakefu (Tonga), against Fiji 1959.