Aranza arrives today

U.S. Office of Insular Affairs Director Danny Aranza begins today his first official visit to the CNMI since assuming the post a few months ago, to meet with island leaders and representatives of the private sector.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said he welcomes the visit and that he expects to discuss economic issues and the status of federal assistance to the Commonwealth during their meeting.

Aranza is also scheduled to meet with Cabinet officials and department heads, business leaders and members of the Legislature, according to the OIA’s field office on Saipan.

Field representative Jeff Schorr said his visit aims to seek ways “in which OIA, and possibly other federal agencies, might be able to assist local initiatives in economic development, investment promotion, education, training and employment of U.S. citizens.”

Initially set last Oct. 12, the trip will include Steven Sander, Congressional and Legislative Affairs Advisor, and Rich Miller, Economic Advisor of the agency, which has jurisdiction over Northern Marianas and other insular affairs.

OIA and the CNMI have had strained relations in recent years over major policy differences stemming from Clinton Administration’s attempt to strip local authority over its immigration, minimum wage and custom standards.

The agency has also come under fire over the last few months after the U.S. House Resources Committee accused some officials of on-the-job political campaign in a bid to unseat Republican congressional leaders using the CNMI issues as launching pad.

Although island officials have criticized OIA for its treatment of the Commonwealth, Tenorio said his administration has resolved to work closely with all federal agencies in order to foster cooperation between the two parties.

“My policy from the very beginning is to work closely with the federal government. We would like to maintain our good working relationship with (them) and at the same time, we need (their) assistance to help us in many of the issues facing us here in the CNMI,” he told reporters yesterday.

Aranza, who had been a deputy director, replaced former OIA chief Allen P. Stayman, who is now heading the Washington’s panel negotiating with FSM and the Marshalls on their Compact Agreement that is due to expire next year.