Group slams “sanctions” against CNMI

A Virginia-based interest group has defended the Northern Marianas from an attempt in the Congress to remove the tariff-free privilege on its garment products, saying the move is tantamount to economic sanctions against a U.S. territory.

The National Legal and Policy Center said the pending proposal is influenced by other interest groups working against the Commonwealth, which have launched efforts to undermine the economic success on the island.

“Economic sanctions are applied against foreign countries. I am especially troubled by the implication of your legislation, namely that CNMI is not really a part of the United States and its economic vibrancy is somehow at the expense of real Americans,” said its president, Peter Flaherty, in a letter to Sen. Spencer Abraham.

The Republican senator from Michigan is a co-sponsor of a bipartisan measure that seeks to amend the Headnote 3 (a) in the Covenant that provides that local products exported to the mainland are not subject to duties and quotas.

Flaherty claimed this proposal has been prompted by misinformation on the island’s conditions, noting publicity surrounding the situation of the large foreign worker population here.

“Ironically, this vendetta is being carried out by AFL-CIO member unions like UNITE, a corrupt union whose leaders are accused of receiving kickbacks from dishonest mainland garment manufacturers in order that illegal aliens may be employed,” he said.

According to Flaherty, he had visited garment factories on Saipan and that allegations of abuse against guest workers employed by the $1 billion apparel industry were “false.”

The group has also documented efforts by other interest groups to pin down the island government as well as local businesses, forming alliance with officials of the Clinton administration which has been insistent on the move to extend federal laws on CNMI labor, immigration and minimum wage standards.

“Although many Americans have not heard of CNMI, I can assure you that CNMI residents are very proud of their American citizenship,” Flaherty said.

Calling on Abraham to visit the island, he maintained the CNMI is an “incredibly beautiful corner of America, where a progressive government fosters free enterprise and economic growth.”

Flaherty added: “I wish Congress would enact policies that make the rest of America more like the CNMI, rather than the other way around.”