D.C. plans for the islands, and Guam and NMI hopes

Letters addressing economic issues are flying between Washington, D.C. and Guam, and Washington and the Northern Mariana Islands. Meanwhile the islands have their own initiatives planned separately, and together and as an island chain.

President Joseph R. Biden Jr. wrote July 17 to Gov. Arnold I Palacios, after the governor requested the initiation of 902 consultations in April.

The consultations are pursuant to Section 902 of the Covenant that governs the relationship between the United States and the NMI. Talks will center on three priority issues as requested by Palacios: direct financial assistance under Section 702 of the Covenant; the tourism and transportation infrastructure; and access to skilled labor.

Biden announced in his letter the appointment of Carmen G. Cantor, assistant secretary for insular affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior as the negotiator for the U.S. NMI representation, also saying, “I trust that this section 902 consultation will be a vehicle for addressing the critical issues raised by the CNMI.”

Under Secretary Erik K. Raven, senior defense official for Guam, wrote to Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero on July 16, and said, “Our ongoing, constructive engagements reflect our commitment to resolving many matters associated with the military buildup on Guam.”

Erik K. Raven met with the Journal in May in Guam. Photo from Journal files

Raven said these were strategic infrastructure, healthcare and innovation and economic growth. As to strategic infrastructure, Raven listed various topics including strengthening “Guam’s ports of entry.”

Such aims may not come without their challenges in Washington, D.C., such as appropriation of funds.

In a May interview with the Journal, Raven said he had been working “to try and accelerate efforts to get supplemental funding to restore some of the damage to DoD facilities — particularly [Andersen Air Force Base] — and I would also highlight the glass breakwater down at Apra Harbor. That’s a key capability, not only for the operations of the Naval base but for the commercial port as well.”

According to Journal files, Raven resigned in May, and is due to leave the Department of the Navy in August.

Thomas J. Mancinelli, who served as principal deputy for Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, will perform the duties of the under secretary of the Navy following the departure of the current under secretary, according to Raven’s office.

The Marianas Islands Legislature Association adopted a resolution introduced by Rep. Edwin K. Propst that seeks to replace the NMI’s foreign worker program with a joint Marianas Islands visa program for both Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Guam and NMI legislators met from July 10 to July 14 in Guam.

The group also discussed the Open Skies concept, which allows commercial airlines to plan routes, without government oversight. Vice Speaker Tina Rose Muna Barnes saw approval of a resolution to support Delegate James C. Moylan’s House Resolution 8786, which seeks a cabotage exemption for foreign air carriers landing in Guam or the NMI.

Barnes and Sen. Jesse A. Lujan will hold a joint public hearing for Resolution No.441-37 and Resolution No.447-37 (COR) on Aug. 2 at 5.30 p.m. at the Guam Congress Building. Both resolutions advocate for a Guam cabotage exemption. mbj

D.C. plans for the islands, and Guam and NMI hopes