Trump names representative to 902 talks with CNMI

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Saipan-- President Donald Trump has named his representative to the Covenant consultation with the CNMI, expressing optimism about the outcome of the talks, which began last year.

 “I trust that this section 902 consultation will be a vehicle for addressing the critical issues raised by the CNMI,” Trump said in a letter to CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios.

Scott J. Cameron, senior advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, will be the president's delegate as the consultation process under Section 902 of the Covenant resumes.

The 902 process provides an opportunity for the U.S. and CNMI governments to tackle “all matters affecting the relationship between them.”

Palacios said the 902 consultations have been focused on three priority areas: financial assistance initiatives under Article 7 of the Covenant; tourism and transportation issues; and access to skilled labor in the CNMI.

Trump said he will also appoint special representatives “to consider and to 

make recommendations regarding future multi-year financial assistance to the Northern Mariana Islands pursuant to Section 701, to meet at least one year prior to the expiration of every period of such financial assistance.”

The Covenant outlines the rights, obligations and relationship between the CNMI and the United States and establishes the CNMI as a self-governing commonwealth of the U.S.. 

The agreement granted U.S. citizenship and applied certain federal laws with specific exemptions.

Palacios emphasized that CNMI will work with its federal counterparts with a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, and most importantly, with a dedicated focus on advancing the standard of living for all residents.”