APPENDIX IV APPENDIX Page 65 In the second sentence of the first paragraph, the use of the verb “enjoyed" implies that Puerto Rico was and is content with the lack of Interior oversight. That view has in recent years been contradicted by some Puerto Rican leaders who believe that it was an error for Puerto Rico to have no “home" in the Executive Branch (other than the White House, which has not functioned very effectively as such and which probably cannot, for organizational reasons). might be substituted. In lieu of “enjoyed”, the more neutral “continued" Page 69 and following The Territories and their governments are not instrumentalities of the Department of the Interior. They are self-governing entities whose aspirations and responsibilities are, to a degree, similar to those of state and local governments. With the passage of time, the Department of Interior's role has diminished, and rightly so. On the other hand, DOI's oversight role applies primarily to the disbursement and accountability of federal funds. This applies to all recipients of federal financial assistance and is not exclusive of the territorial governments. Not generally understood is the multitude of interests bidding for administration and congressional attention and the role the territories play in the overall scheme of things. While DOI, through OTIA, is committed to advocate territorial interests, the realities of a massive federal bureaucracy limits federal attention to territorial concerns, irrespective of the departmental or agency organization assigned to pursue territorial objectives. Federal and indigenous constraints can be overcome but they require specific objectives and determination on the part of territorial leaders and the cooperation and assistance of federal officials. Page 71 Second paragraph should show that of the $62 million requested by Guan, $5,725,000 was approved by Congress. During at least the past several years, the Virgin Islands did not submit a budget request through the Department of the Interior. At the end of page 71, a word has been dropped. Perhaps it should be “better". Pee eee vere Page 72 In connection with the first full paragraph, a further area of difficulty might be mentioned, perhaps by the addition at the end of the paragraph of the following: “There is, of course, a further inhibition upon OTIA officials as territorial advocates. They cannot serve as independent advocates of territorial budget requests in light of the Federal budget process, which requires that they, like all Federal officials, must conform to the budget decisions of OMB and the President." 71 5000218 Iv. 2h +