Aranza: No more political campaign • OIA chief admits incident hurts easing of strained ties with CNMI

Office of Insular Affairs Director Danny Aranza yesterday ended a two-day visit to the CNMI, acknowledging the “uphill battle” facing his efforts to restore ties with island leaders amid the ongoing congressional probe into the conduct of some of its officials.

He said, however, he would welcome sanctions from Congress or any investigating panel against any OIA officials found guilty of alleged on-the-job political campaign that used CNMI issues as weapon against the island’s Republican supporters in Washington.

“Let the chips fall where they may,” Aranza said at a news conference hours before his departure for Guam. “We don’t condone wrongdoing and if (it) is proven, clearly the consequence will have to be paid and that will be appropriate.”

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), chair of House Resources Committee which has oversight of the CNMI and other insular areas, is investigating OIA and Interior officials for possible unlawful activities to launch damaging political attacks against Republican members of Congress.

Initial findings by the panel have indicated that they, along with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, had used CNMI issues as weapons to damage GOP in a bid to assist Democratic opponents.

Aranza had been subpoenaed to produce documents from files and OIA computers which he said he had provided by end of August, but added that none of the files or employees of OIA field office on Saipan has been asked to be part of the probe.

“We’ve complied (with the subpoena) and the next step is up to Congress. We’ve already requested the Inspector General and the special counsel to undertake their investigations,” he said. “Those are ongoing.”

No role

He denied direct role in the alleged misconduct, although he disclosed that he has provided information to Congress about CNMI since his employment with OIA in 1993.

Most of these information — some of them from OIA-funded inquiry conducted by consultants and advocates — were the source largely of the partisan activities, according to the Resources Committee.

“In retrospect, maybe it was one-sided. Maybe it did provide both sides. But what I’m here to do in my position now is to make sure that information coming from my office is balanced so that the facts will speak for themselves and we don’t try to hedge things one way or another,” said Aranza.

Some Commonwealth leaders have backed the probe as part of the efforts to shed light on the continuous criticisms leveled by OIA against the island government.

Aranza, who had been the deputy director prior to assuming the post from former OIA director Allen P. Stayman last August, believed the investigation has impacted on his efforts to bridge differences with the CNMI.

“Given an ideal world where there wouldn’t be those investigation, that will make my job a lot easier but … it’s an obstacle and it’s there,” said the new OIA chief.

Skepticism

While noting the air of skepticism drawing his first official visit to the CNMI, he remained hopeful of easing tension that has characterized bilateral relations largely due to conflicting positions on local handling of labor and immigration functions.

“If you judge us by what actually happens, talk to me in three to four months and see what my office actually has done to help and see whether or not the attitude here… is changed,” Aranza explained. “That will be the litmus test.”

The Clinton Administration has been pushing legislation seeking to strip CNMI authority over local immigration, minimum wage and custom standards due to its failure to curb the number of alien workers and stem labor abuses.

The island government has opposed the move, noting its disastrous impact on the economy which has declined in the past two years on the heels of the Asian recession.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has said that his administration would work cooperatively with OIA and other federal agencies under its constructive engagement policy in a bid to augment financial assistance and U.S. support of the island.

Cooperation

During their meeting on Wednesday, both officials agreed to set aside differences on labor and immigration issues and to work closely on other pressing issues, such as economic development, aviation and vocational training for local people.

There was no specific commitment, however, as to which programs would get additional funding or increase federal assistance, including Compact-Impact costs that CNMI has been demanding due to presence of thousands of FAS citizens.

“This relationship is not going to change overnight but my hope is that the actions the governor and other people will see after this visit will speak volumes more than the words I say today,” Aranza said.