model for this approach.
A disadvantage in this approach would
be the lack of strong coordination and oversight over programs
and policies.
TERRITORIES WANT TO
BE REPRESENTED BY AN
EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION
We
solicited
the
territories'
views
on
organizational
structure but found no clear consensus.
Many officials favored
placing oversight responsibility for all the U.S. territories in
the White House, similar to Puerto Rico.
They believe doing so
would elevate territorial concerns and provide more influence.
Puerto Rican officials, however, do not want the Commonwealth
included in an organization with the other territories.
A highlevel Puerto Rico official said this would be viewed as a setback for Puerto Rico and a "colonial" act by the United States.
Some officials believe that the territories may not need
formal agency representation because the local governments now
deal directly with the federal establishment in many admin-
istrative areas.
An NMI official said
the territory might not
require single agency oversight because it could deal directly
with the Congress on budget matters.
American Samoa's delegate
to Congress and other officials suggested that there may not be
a need for any federal administering agency.
Despite the disparity of their views, territorial officials ©
agreed that they want the government to be more responsive to
their needs.
A Virgin Islands official
summarized many of
the.
comments we received when he said that organizational issues
should not be analyzed in terms of agency placement.
The most
important question to be addressed is influence.
Any organiza-
tion representing the territories within the federal government
should have the legislative support to ensure
Ssistently provide meaningful assistance.
that
it
can
con-
Organizational options represent one dimension
in
the
com-
CONCLUSION
plex relationship between the federal government and its territories.
Territorial officials are primarily concerned that
their views are heard at the highest possible level within the
federal system.
Many believe the Department of the Interior's
Office of Territorial and International Affairs is not institutionally suited to meet this need, however, no clear consensus
exists on what type of organizational arrangement is needed.
We believe a change in organizational responsibility for
territorial affairs might remedy some of the territories' concerns.
Establishment of a formal interagency policy group,
authorized to address high-level policy or territorial issues
5000255.
48