Treaty signing

Sprep

held up

The establishment of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as an autonomous body is being held up by a constitutional wrangle between the United States and its South Pacific territories. Under the US constitution, its territories can’t sign an international treaty.

The treaty signing was due for early this year at SPREP’s headquarters in Western Samoa, but has been put off until July. The territories of American Samoa, Guam, Palau and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas are hoping to re-open negotiations with the new Clinton administration.

SPREP’s acting director, Don Stewart, says without the treaty the organisation is unable to establish itself fully as a regional body on the same level as the South Pacific Forum or the South Pacific Commission. The French government says it has no difficulties with its South Pacific territories signing the treaty.