DeLeon Guerrero accepts Palacios’ invitation to join CNMI 902 team

Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) has accepted Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’ invitation to join the CNMI team for the 902 talks between the CNMI and U.S. governments.

“I am deeply honored by the invitation and I humbly accept it,” said DeLeon Guerrero in her letter to Palacios last Friday.

The Senate president said she looks forward to a 902 team that will be cohesive and harmonious in presenting the CNMI’s plans to redefine and redirect all efforts for a better economy, enhancement of the tourism industry, expanded and fortified infrastructure, and a healthy local workforce.

Last April 26, Palacios sent a letter to U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. requesting consultations between the CNMI and U.S. governments pursuant to Section 902 of the Covenant to establish the CNMI in political union with the U.S.

Section 902 provides that the U S. and CNMI governments “will designate special representatives to meet and consider in good faith such issues affecting the relationship between the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States as may be designated by either government and to make a report and recommendations with respect thereto.”

The Covenant provides for the 902 talks every 10 years.

Palacios wrote a letter last Friday to DeLeon Guerrero, inviting her, or her designee, to join the CNMI team.

The governor said he is assembling a team to participate in these 902 talks and would like to include a representative of each house of the CNMI Legislature.

Palacios said in the 2016 round of 902 talks, which took place in Washington, D.C., the CNMI; and Honolulu, he himself served as a representative of the Senate.

The governor said they look forward to a response from the White House appointing a special representative so that the 902 consultation process can begin.

“My administration is ready to work with the United States in furtherance of our mutual goal to improve the lives of the people of the Northern Marianas, consistent with our Covenant,” he said.

DeLeon Guerrero said in her acceptance letter that as a former secretary of the Department of Labor, she sees herself sharing the utmost foreseeable solutions for the CNMI’s need for efficient and adequate manpower.

Moreover, DeLeon Guerrero said, as the Senate president, she can confidently share her visions that will carry the CNMI in meeting the challenges that they will certainly encounter in the years to come.

For this round of 902 consultations, Palacios proposes to engage with the U.S. government on three priority issues: direct financial assistance under Section 702 of the Covenant; tourism and transportation infrastructure; and access to skilled labor.