Breakers

Ahead In

Tt Waters

A major confrontation is looming between the US administration of the Trust Territory of the Pacific and the Congress of Micronesia over the latter’s decision to enact a 200-mile economic zone for Micronesian waters.

When the Congress adopted the measure in February, it was at once vetoed by the new acting High Com missioner, Mr J. B. Mackenzie, and it was then adopted again, in a show of defiance, by the Congress.

Urging readoption of the bill, Yap representative Luke Tman declared; “It was not inevitable, although it was not unexpected, that this measure was vetoed. The ac tions of the administering authority have, at least, not been inconsistent.

Every time we try to enact major legislation in the interest of Micronesia, we are rebuffed by the

administering authority.”

In his letter announcing the veto, Mr Mackenzie cited two of the ‘most fundamental aspects” of the bill which were unacceptable to the administration and the US Govern ment.

The first concerned provisions which would allow direct negotia tions between the Micronesian maritime authority and foreign na tions, and the second the bill’s regulation of “the highly migratory species which is tuna”.

Jurisdiction over Micronesia’s tuna resources is at the heart of the debate; tuna is easily the most im portant economic resource in

Micronesian waters, and as things stand both sides appear firmly re solved to have control of it.

In a hectic final day of sitting on February 27, the Congress passed 19 bills. For the first time in more than five years, the regular session com pleted its business before midnight on the final day, prompting one con gressman to note that the session was “historic” in that it finished before the legal time of midnight. At many other sessions they have had to “stop the clock” for purposes of the of ficial record.

Yap's Luke Tman...we are rebuffed.