APPENDIX III woe Mr. Frank C. Canahan, Director APPENDIX.“IITs Marshalls or the Federated States of Micronesia. Why should the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana islands be treated differently, particularly when we are specifically given the power to rebate such taxes should we desire to do so? Again, we are hopeful that the issue of taxation can be resolved early next year. However, we need the support of the Department of Interior. Another pending problem best exemplifies our frustrations. Provisions in our Covenant enable us to benefit from Headnote 3(a), which allows us to export goods into the United States duty free provided certain requirements are met. Without notice to us, the Department of the Treasury, pursuant to a Presidential Executive Order, promulgated regulations which would effectively deliver a death blow to our infant textile industry. Support from the Department of Interior has been lukewarm at best. . Opposition forces in Washington, D.C. fail to recognize that we are also members of the American political family and that our citizens will be deprived of their livelihood should the regulations take effect in their present form. Due to the infancy of our textile industry, it has become necessary to allow the importation of skilled workers. However, every attempt is being made to replace such persons with local people once they acquire the necessary skills through training. Both of the above examples demonstrate that, when we make a sincere attempt to become self-sufficient, our efforts become frustrated. I do feel that the Office of Territorial and International Affairs in the Department of Interior does a very credible job in providing oversight, in providing us with . technical assistance and in acting as our advocate when called upon. Unfortunately, it often lacks the necessary resources and manpower to successfully present our views when serious opposition appears. The territories and insular possessions may be best described as a group of half-brothers or halfsisters who need a strong father figure in Washington who understands our problems, our goals and our aspirations. We in the Northern Marianas have been dominated by foreign powers for approximately four hundred years. We desire, ultimately, to be economically independent. At the same time, we recognize that we are small and powerless pawns in the hands of foreign powers other than our chosen ally, the United States. One area where improvement is needed involves our dealings with the various agencies of the federal government. Local governmental departments which have a history of dealing with their federal counterparts have, for the most part, developed close 61 Ea 4 9000258