the level of federal administrative management of activities. They believe that Interior is placed of supporting greater territorial autonomy while time exerting oversight over federal operations activities in the territories. territory in a dilemma at the same and government ORGANIZATIONAL OPTIONS SHOULD REFLECT THE DIRECTION OF FEDERAL-~TERRITORIAL RELATIONSHIP rior, Given a the number territories' of changes general have dissatisfaction been considered in years. A 1979 interagency task force on the addressed this issue and offered several options. options, elevating the territorial with the Inte- past 5 territories One of the responsibility within Inte- rior, was implemented by the Carter administration. Despite this effort, many territorial officials and some in Congress continue to call for change. Should the Congress decide to consider organizational changes, we believe that it should first address whether the current level of federal oversight and presence in the territories is adequate. The amount of over- sight exercised by the government is critical to addressing the organization question. A significant increase in oversight would require greater appears to be federal presence contrary to the in trend local toward affairs, increased government and the U.S. principle of self-determination. which self- Centralization or decentralization Another organizational question related to territorial policy is whether the federal government should move toward greater centralization or decentralization of territorial affairs. The coordination of federal activities, particularly for policy matters, is another element to be considered in addressing organi- zational options. nation of policy If the Congress believes that greater coordi- and program issues organization merits consideration. is This needed, could be a centralized accomplished by placing all the territories and insular areas, including Puerto Rico and the Trust Territory, in one agency. Some have suggested an interagency body, drawing expertise from many parts of the federal establishment for this function. This office could be independent or could be part of the White House. A centralized organization reporting to the White House, for example, might have the potential for better coordination and greater institutional influence than an executive branch agency, like Interior. A decentralized approach might be considered if the Congress wants the territories' administrative relationship to resemble federal-state intergovernmental relations. Puerto Rico's relationship to the federal government would serve aS a 2000254 47