U.S. team arrives today for talks

White House negotiator Edward B. Cohen, along with four other US officials, will arrive today on Saipan to resume the stalled 902 discussions that are expected to focus on differences on the implementation of CNMI’s labor and immigration policies.

Cohen, who is Clinton’s special representative to the four-day talks, is arriving 8:30 pm, his first visit to the CNMI, and still determined to take up transition to federal immigration and minimum wage laws when he meets with the seven-man local panel beginning Tuesday.

Joining Cohen to the consultations, last held in 1992, are Tim Elliot, a longtime career person in the Interior Solicitor’s office; Dan Sweeney, head of the Fair Labor Standard Office of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor; Alexander Gisser, associate general counsel of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and Jay Dowling, director of the Industry Assessment Division, Office of Textiles and Apparel of the Department of Commerce.

Saipan and Washington are at the opposing ends how to resolve the long-standing disputes on the handling of local labor and immigration policies, issues which have been straining ties between the Northern Marianas and the United States, the commonwealth’s main economic provider.

Clinton’s top aide has repeatedly told local negotiators he would like discussions to concentrate on resolving problems under the federal framework. CNMI officials have said they would work to maintain control of immigration and wage-setting powers and ask for increased federal assistance to help them improve local policies.

In an interview Friday, Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan, head of CNMI 902 team, admitted the two governments have not reached any agreement on the agenda.

“We will know that when we sit down on the negotiating table,” Sablan said. “This is just an informal discussion but we don’t want any confrontation. We just want them to see the situation we’re in,” he added.

According to a schedule released by the Interior’s representative office on Saipan, Cohen will be meeting with finance and labor officials, garment manufacturers, hotel operators, businessmen, and contractors in addition to 902 consultations.

He is also meeting with federal representatives to CNMI as well as attend a forum with students of the Northern Marianas College.

On Thursday, Cohen will visit Tinian with members of the Legislature for a brief tour of the island municipality.