REPORT BY THE
U.S. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
ISSUES AFFECTING U.S.
TERRITORY AND INSULAR POLICY
Because ultimate political status has not yet
been determined by each territory or established
by
Congress,
territorial
political,
social,
and
economic development follows an
unclear
path
which
complicates
federalterritorial relations.
Many territory officials
believe
U.S.
policy
should
be
more
Clearly
defined,
particularly
for
economic
development and treatment of territories under
federal laws and programs.
At
the
request of
the Senate Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, GAO
reviewed (1) the background and history of U.S.
territorial and insular policy, (2) the extent
to which U.S.
foreign and domestic policies
consider the potential impact on the territories, (3) whether federal policies, laws, and
programs are meeting U.S. policy objectives and
territorial needs, and (4) whether the present
federal orqanization
for program and policy
responsibilities in the territories is adequate
to coordinate and provide consistent federal
administration for territorial matters.
This
report
includes
information on these
issues
in ‘the
toward
context
its
of
U.S.
policy
territories.
GAO
and
does
relations
not
attempt
to determine what U.S. policy should be nor
prescribe how relations between the federal
government
handled.
and
the
.
territories
should
be
GAO
found
the
issues
involving
federalterritorial
relations,
such
as
appropriate
levels of representation, treatment under federal laws and programs, and economic and social
development strategies, are becoming increasingly complex with
no simple or ready-made
solutions.
GAO
believes
they
are
likely
to
require greater congressional attention and to
stimulate
debate
on
whether
further
policy
guidance is needed to clarify and strengthen
federal-territorial relations.
Tear Sheet
sheet
i
50001491
"
"
.
GAO/NSIAD-85-44
FEBRUARY 7, 1985