Legislators in D.C. for Bush’s inauguration

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, along with three other members of the lower house, leaves today for Washington D.C. to attend the inauguration of President-elect George W. Bush in what he hopes to be the start of better ties with the federal government.

On the eve of his departure, the House leader said they plan to meet with officials of the new administration who have “both direct and indirect” influence on CNMI affairs.

Vice Speaker Alejo M. Mendiola, Federal and Foreign Relations Committee chair Rep. Norman S. Palacios and Health and Welfare Committee chair Rep. Malua T. Peter are joining him in the trip.

“The main thing is to be responsive to the call of the Bush administration,” Mr. Fitial told in an interview, noting they have to accept the invitation to witness the swearing-in on Saturday to establish stronger relations with the White House.

“I expect a far better relations with the Bush administration than Clinton,” he explained. “I can assure that we won’t get this kind of treatment [hard-handed approach] from them.”

Island leaders have hailed the victory of Mr. Bush against outgoing Vice President Al Gore in the close race to the White House, citing Republicans’ overwhelming support for the CNMI’s cause.

During his presidency, President Clinton and the Democrats in Congress had waged a campaign to extend federal immigration and minimum wage laws to the Commonwealth as well as strip the islands of trade privileges granted under the Covenant.

Aside from the House delegation, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio is scheduled to leave tomorrow morning for the U.S. capital to attend the inaugural ceremonies which are expected to draw thousands of other leaders across the nation and foreign dignitaries.

He will be accompanied by First Lady Sophie Tenorio and a daughter in the trip. He said it would be difficult to meet with Mr. Bush or any of his Cabinet members because of the activities surrounding the event.

But he said he is looking forward to working with the new administration, noting that it has always been his policy to reach out to the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Senate has called off plans to send its own delegation to the January 20 inauguration, citing the short time to prepare and the budget.

But it is eyeing a trip by some members during the latter part of February or early March where they hope to meet with officials of the Bush administration, according to Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano.

The governor has also raised the possibility of another trip to Washington on a later date so that CNMI leaders can discuss with the White House the conditions on the islands.