PA PRT IS RUPE TE a7 et ve lew tnt ULTIMATE STATUS OF U.S. TERRITORIES IS UNCLEAR Prior to the acquisition of offshore territo- ries beginning at the turn of the century the United States, under the framework of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, established a traditional policy objective of eventually grant- ing statehood to its contiguous territories. The current policy objective toward offshore territories--encouraging self-determined polit- ical, economic, and social development--is less clear. The Constitution, Congress, under establishes Article federal IV of policy the for U.S. territories--Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The ultimate political status of these offshore territories has not yet been determined. (See ch. 2.) TERRITORIES ACHIEVE GREATER SELF-GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL AUTONOMY BUT STATUS REMAINS AN ISSUE The U.S. policy of self-determination has resulted in freely chosen but different of political status in each territory. has attained greater self-government and types Each local -: tory self- autonomy, which in turn has complicated relations with the federal government. Many terriofficials support the principle determination but believe political of status is a major unresolved issue in federal-territorial relations. All the territories want more representation in Congress and greater voice within the federal establishment. Some, such as Guam and the Virgin Islands, re-examining their political status with United policy States. direction are the Many believe that federal is unclear because it offers little specific guidance on how the territories can achieve development. economic (See ch. self-reliance 3.) and social COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION COULD . INFLUENCE U.S.~TERRITORIAL RELATIONS Under U.N. supervision, the United States administers the Trust Territory of the Pacific 90001498 commonly known ii as Micronesia. In me, Islands,