expires, what continues?
p. 39 · Read in the full issue
The Compact - what expires, what continues?
It is often overlooked that the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, as a whole, is drafted to go on indefinitely, until either or both parties act pursuant to Title Four, Article IV, to terminate it.
The only parts of the Compact that expire are those that are specifically limited to a fixed term, and they are found in Title Two. • Section 211 - basic block grants expire after fifteen years, but Section 231 provides for an extension of up to two
years during ongoing negotiations.
• Section 212 - CAT Team grants expire after fifteen years, but CAT teams themselves are envisioned as continuing indefinitely on terms subject to renegotiation after fifteen years. • Section 214 - energy self-sufficiency grants expire after fifteen years. • Section 215 - communications grants expire after fifteen years. • Section 216 - maritime surveillance, health and medical, post-secondary education scholarship grants (not Pell Grant) expire after fifteen years.
The Compact does not by its terms place any expiration date on anything else that FSM receives from the US under the Compact or PL 99-239 (The Compact Act).
Thus, such things as immigration and work privileges, service in the US armed forces, attendance at the military academies, tax and trade benefits and technical assistance are designed to continue as long as the Compact remains in effect.
Also, the considerable number of US federal programs that have been made available by the US Congress pursuant to Compact Section 224, such as FDIC,
Sba, Eda, Rea, Jpta, Job Corps,
tourism and marine resources programs.
Legal Services Corporation, Public Health
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