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Clinton creates interagency group on insular areas
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Posted on Aug 12 1999
President Clinton has formed an interagency group that would coordinate, develop and interpret policies affecting US insular territories.
The President’s Interagency Group on Insular Areas or IGIA covers the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa and Virgin Islands.
The policies to be created by the group will include inputs from the insular areas.
“IGIA solidifies an enhanced process for treating insular areas in an even handed and predictable manner, an arrangement long sought after by island leaders,” according to the Office of Insular Affairs.
The newly created group is mandated to work with Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit.
“This is a direct result of last year’s interagency task force in the White House, where Gov. Pedro Tenorio and I urged the President to establish a presidential level working group that would give US islands a stronger voice within the federal government” said Juan Babauta, the CNMI’s representative to Washington D.C.
OIA said the creation of the interagency acknowledges that complex issues concerning the insular jurisdictions constantly emerge whose resolution cuts across executive lines.
“Insular policies and issues always present intricate solutions,” said OIA director Danny Aranza.
He said the interagency group will create a process which mandates coordination of executive department and agencies with IGIA on all significant decisions and activities relating to the insular areas.
“This process will help enhance the participation island of island leaders on all significant decisions or activities affecting the insular areas,” Aranza said.
IGIA membership shall consist of senior officials selected by the heads of executive departments, agencies and offices.
