Previous Story
Cohen says support for new govt assured if…
|
Posted on Jan 12 2006
The Fitial administration can count on the U.S. government to support his priorities as long as basic federal interests are protected, a visiting U.S. Department of the Interior official said yesterday.
Deputy Interior Assistant Secretary David Cohen, who heads the Office of Insular Affairs, met with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday morning. They discussed how the federal and local governments could coordinate efforts to attract business to the Commonwealth and create more local jobs.
“As long as we have effective communication with one another, we’ll be able to make sure that OIA can be supportive of his priorities while still protecting federal interests,” Cohen said.
He also said that the federal government intends to extend to Fitial the same courtesy it had given former governor Juan N. Babauta.
“I try to avoid being overbearing in terms of substituting our judgment for the judgment of local leaders, but we will offer suggestions. Certainly, we wouldn’t pressure the Fitial administration to concentrate efforts on any particular industry. We’re happy to be supportive of Governor Fitial’s priorities subject to our need to protect basic federal interests,” Cohen said.
Such interests include accountability in the handling of federal grant funds and proper treatment of guest workers.
The governor has pledged his cooperation in these areas, Cohen reported.
For its part, OIA will continue to encourage investors to expand the CNMI’s economy. It will also coordinate with the new administration to make sure that local labor and immigration policies meet federal standards.
Grant funding will also keep coming to support the administration’s priorities and needs, Cohen said.
