Bush presidency means better ties with CNMI

The chief of Republican candidate George W. Bush’s presidential campaign for the Pacific islands stressed the importance of his victory in the November elections to improving strained relations between the federal government and the CNMI.

T.E. Manase Mansur, liaison of the Bush for President committee for American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI, said the Texas governor has a track record of supporting local government.

“Under a Bush presidency, you could be assured that there will be greater degree and mutual cooperation between the executive branch of the United States and the CNMI,” he told reporters Saturday at the gathering of the local GOP at the Royal Taga Beach Club.

“The governor has a solid record of supporting state and local government as opposed to the federal government dictating what is being done,” added Mr. Mansur. “He wants to support the local leaders and the local party.”

Mr. Bush, namesake and son of the former president, is facing Vice President Al Gore, candidate of the Democrats, in the November polls.

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial earlier has said that a victory for the GOP candidate would help boost CNMI’s ties with Washington, which have been estranged in the past few years because of its policy towards the Commonwealth.

President Clinton has been pushing federal takeover of the island’s immigration and minimum wage standards, citing CNMI’s alleged rampant labor abuses and growing number of guest workers who come from neighboring Asian countries.

Island leaders have opposed such moves, including pending legislation in the U.S. Congress, warning that a takeover would devastate the local economy at a time when the Asian crisis has already battered tourism businesses here.

They have been assured by Republican congressional leaders, including House Majority Whip Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas and Resources Committee chair Rep. Don Young of Alaska, of support to thwart the Democrat-backed proposals.

According to Mr. Mansur, who arrived on Saipan last Thursday for a private visit, national Bush campaign officials are “aware and fully supportive of what is being done” in the CNMI.

He said he is “impressed” with the local campaign committee that is drawing up a fund raiser here for the GOP presidential bet, although the event initially scheduled for June 14 at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino was postponed.

Mr. Mansur had met with the local officials, led by Mr. Fitial who chairs the CNMI committee, to discuss rescheduling, probably in early August after the national Republican convention that will be held in late July.

Mr. Fitial has hoped to raise about $80,000 from the $250-per-head dinner at the Dynasty, which would be the first fund raiser ever in the CNMI for a U.S. presidential candidate.

During last Saturday’s gathering, Mr. Mansur said he is also working on accrediting the local GOP by the national Republican party, similar to that in American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.

“One of the things is to put in place functioning structure that follows a charter and bylaws similar to other state parties, holding an annual convention and really demonstrating some party unity and commitment to Republican principles,” he said.