2PSCom? No. 2

The Covenant treaty/agreement we entered into with the United States in 1976 is supposed to be a two-way street. Both sides are to benefit. It is supposed to be a roadmap to an increased standard of living. It is supposed to allow for self-government by the people of the Northern Marianas. Are we getting there using this map or is this a dead end? Is this a one-way street we’re on or does it allow for two-way traffic? Is one side getting the better end of the deal? Are there other ways to interact with the world than the Covenant agreement allows for? Are we stuck with this set of rules or can they be changed? What other options for political status do we have? Are any of them better that what we have now. What are they? What are the risks? What are the rewards? These are some of the questions the 2nd Political Status commission is being set up to find answers to. There are many more.

Specifically, the commission that is to be started has four main jobs: 1. Examine the provisions of the Covenant. 2. Review the actions of the United States in interpreting and implementing the Covenant. 3. Review and examine alternative political and economic status options for the Northern Marianas Islands, and 4. Make one or more recommendations to the Legislature for final approval by the people of the Northern Marianas via a plebiscite (vote).

The United Nations, under Resolution 1541 and international law, requires that all former colonies or trust territories (like the Northern Marianas Islands) have the right and obligation to freely govern themselves in all local and internal matters (and external matters if they so choose). They may voluntarily align themselves with another sovereign state but there are strict rules and limitations to prevent unlawful colonialism. It requires that any agreement be in writing and agreed to by both parties. The UN Resolution also requires that the people of former territories have the right at any time to change the status and agreements through democratic means.

Is the U.S. allowing the CNMI to freely govern itself internally or has it taken control? Are the rules than keep a territory from becoming a colony being observed? Is the written agreement/treaty between the Northern Marianas and the U.S. (the Covenant) working equally well for both parties? Should the people look at and vote on choices that help their right to self-determination?

The commission is to be a 13-person team composed of 11 voting members and two non-voting members. The Legislature will activate the Commission and dissolve it once their job is done. Before their work is done they are to make recommendations about ballot questions that should be placed before the voters of the CNMI.

In next week’s article we will look more closely at where these members come from and what their duties are. For now, this is Stanley McGinnis Torres of the 17th CNMI Legislature. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments about this week’s article at 664-8903 or rep.torress@cnmileg.gov.mp.