One-sided relationship

The Feds think that the people of the Northern Marianas are just too naive and stupid. I deeply resent it.

To label the Northern Marianas an “international embarrassment” is a cheap shot and is totally uncalled for.

When we entered into a Covenant in 1976, the deal was a two-way street. With the way things are going now, it’s becoming a more of a one way street, a Federal Street.

While I admire our people for their soft-heartedness and humble demeanor, I believe it’s time to draw the “line in the sand”. It’s time to all join hands and speak out against the Feds.

Let’s talk about the truth and see who is really the “international embarrassment.”

One, is it right for the U.S. military to continue to bomb the our lovely island of Farallon de Mendinilla without any regard to environmental and ecological consequences?

Two, is it right for the U.S. military to continue these devastating bombings when an inhabited island of Saipan is only a few miles away? Is it probable that human errors or equipment failures could occur that would cause these bombs to go astray, thereby resulting in loss of human lives? Is there a place in this world under the
U.S. jurisdiction where this sort of terroristic activity is allowed?

Three, is it right for the U.S. military to promise to build a base on Tinian to support the original intent of the Covenant to improve the standard of living of the people of the CNMI and then abandoning on that promise?

Four, is it right for the U.S. military to intentionally place toxic, hazardous wastes such as PCBs for more than forty years on our paradise islands and continue to just talk about it up to now? Is the lack of funding a valid excuse for issues relating to life and death? Would the people of California or any state allow something like these to happen for this length of time? Because of this clear action of the US, can we safely say that they really care about the livelihood and well-being of our people?

Five, is it right and fair for the Feds to continue to consider that they own the 200-mile EEZ when in fact this zone is really and truly our own since time immemorial? This vast ocean economic zone is the only source of pride and survival of our people and the Covenant is very clear on this issue. The Covenant is also very clear on U.S. defense interest matters. Are the Feds being just too greedy or are they privy to some valuable information about our oceans that we are not aware about?

The Northern Marianas cannot be compared with any other U.S. political entity. Our standard of living, for example, will continue to be burdened by transportation logistics and economics of scale. In fact, our cost of living is at least 50% above the US. And even if we do not have an educated and skillful labor force, much of the problems in the CNMI will continue.

The proposed Federal takeover is surely not the answer. In fact, I suggest that the issues above and others should first be addressed and mutually resolved before any discussion of a federal takeover is to take place.

Our Covenant may not be a perfect document but , as a whole, it has served the interests of all parties as well. We do not condone labor and human rights violations, and reforms in our government continue at a remarkable pace. In reality, unlike what our antagonists have portrayed, the CNMI has played a major role in advancing democratic principles to a great number of the have nots Asian peoples. The benefits of having the CNMI under this unique American political relationship far outweighs the disbenefits.

Juan S. Demapan