Other terms of the Amended Compact, including defense and immigration provisions, continue indefinitely until one or both parties to the treaty decide to end such terms.
For those who don't know, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau (ROP) were all formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. This was a UN strategic trusteeship administered by the U.S. Basically, our masters were the good ole' USA. From after the second world war II into the '80s, we were under the U.S. and then entered into a compact of free association with the USA. We became sovereign island nations in Micronesia. Every 15 years or so, certain provisions of the compact expire and negotiations get underway to review and renew the compact. We are approaching that 15-year mark, the third one, in 2023. The FSM/RMI compact began in 1986, Palau's took a bit longer.
DELAY
Support from members of the U.S. Congress and of course our neighbors in Guam has been very encouraging. Well, not so much from Guam. They have repeatedly asked to sit at the negotiating table. The previous chief negotiator, Douglas Domenech was very clear when he said this:
"I'm aware that Guam has made this request. Their interest has primarily been related to compact impact funding, and the problem is compact impact is not really part of the negotiation. so there wouldn't be any benefit to them actually being there. This compact is between the United States and each country separately"
The two countries are the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in case you were wondering.
I hope Guam can understand that Guam is not a country. I mean, it is actually a colony, according to a University of Guam (UOG) Assistant Professor of Chamorro Studies and the United Nations.
DISTRACTION
A recent article posted in Pacific Island Times written by Vice Speaker of the Guam Legislature entitled, "COFA talks must be taken seriously" lays out reasons that the COFA or Compact of Free Association negotiations need to resume. While I agree with some of the points she puts up, I am in disbelief that she would highlight the vulnerability of the "COFA migrants" and "COFA youth" in Guam as a reason for Guam to sit at the negotiating table.
Vice Speaker, those COFA migrants that you speak of are living in the United States of America, and for some, their children are already U.S. citizens born and raised in Guam. Ok, Guam is a colony of the United States of America, but it is still the USA. What they need is NOT to be highlighted and used as pawns for a colony wanting to sit at the table of sovereign nations. What they do need, is to be accepted, finally, as part of the Guam community.
Their presence in Guam, Hawaii, Saipan, and any state or territory of the USA is guaranteed by the Compact of Free Association. That immigration provision, along with the defense of our islands by the USA, continues indefinitely. The article further states:
The renegotiation of these compacts must center on the true value and needs of our migrant community as a whole.
The renegotiation of the compact must center first and foremost on those living in the islands of FSM and RMI. The "COFA migrants" in Guam, Hawaii, and other US territories are benefitting and have access to opportunities not available to those living in the FSM and RMI. That is where the focus and center of negotiations will be, always and forever. The Vice-Speaker goes on to say:
Guam isn’t included in these discussions, despite the fact that we are ultimately impacted by the policies set forth in any agreement between the U.S. and these island nations.
Did I miss something here? Is Guam a nation of her own? Does the US not represent Guam on the international stage? These are nation-to-nation talks. What has happened to the compact impact
funding for these "COFA migrants"? By the way, when money is dished out for the impact that "COFA" migrants will make to a certain jurisdiction, like Guam, (isn't that great?) That is compact impact grant funding.
Guam always gets the "lion's share" as reported in 2019 when Guam received $16.8 million. The funding is provided to "help defray government of Guam costs associated with the increased demands placed on health, education" due to "COFA migrants". Guam has received millions of dollars in compact impact funding, thanks to the Compact of Free Association. Even though according to a GAO report, most of the "COFA migrants" live in the mainland U.S.
According to that same 2020 GAO report, from 2004 to 2019 Guam received $259.7 million in compact impact grant funding. How has that been used to address the "COFA" issues? Again, isn't this great? You get $$ for the COFA migrants?? What other group of immigrants provides this sort of benefit to Guam? Hawaii? Or any State in the U.S.? Add the taxes paid for by each and every COFA migrant that has worked since 2004 - 2019 and what does that come to? What sort of impact has that made?
If nothing changes, and compact impact grant funding continues, would it be safe to say that over the next 15 years Guam would receive an additional $259 million or more? How about that?
Micro(nesian) Perspective
The Compact of Free Association is a mutual agreement between nations. Each nation offers something in return for something else. We in the FSM get the economic, defense, and immigration provisions among others. Right now the economic provisions are expiring and there needs to be some negotiation. Between the nations. The changing times and geo-political environment must also be considered very carefully. Our negotiators and everyone in the FSM and RMI are waiting.
I recall the attention Micronesia received during the last administration, with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Veterans Administration coming to the country, both in the same year and even the three Micronesian Presidents visiting the U.S. President in Washington D.C. It's gone from that to having desk officers handle this very important agreement, which is currently being delayed, between our nations and even a colony still trying to sit at the negotiation table.
While I agree with the Vice Speaker that COFA talks must be taken seriously, it must be taken seriously for the sake of those who live here in the FSM, and RMI. FIRST. Then, maybe those who have migrated for better opportunities abroad can return and help make an "impact" here at home.
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