APPENDIX VI <a, vite COMMENTS OF THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO, CARLOS ROMERO- BARCELO, DRAFT REPORT--- ON GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) ISSUES AFFECTING U. S. TERRITORY AND INSULAR POLICY I .Organizational problems, existing We agree with the analysis of organizational including the inconsistency of federal policy toward the various ter- ritories: federal problems, the inequitable and inadequate application of laws; and the absence of appropriate consulta- tion with the territories, However, much Department of the Report focuses on the role of the of the Interior (as territorial entity, lobbyist, of Omnibus Territories Act in 1984, the context, Rico advocate, etc.) oversight and on the enactment Within it is not made sufficiently clear that neither Department falls under the jurisdiction that Puerto of the of the Interior nor under the provisions of the Omnibus Territories Act. II. Puerto Rico and the other territories. While the Draft Report represents an understandable attempt on the of part GAO's staff to place the territories within a frame- work of uniformity, the truth of the matter is that such uniformity degree, simply Puerto does not exist in To a Rico and the other territories do share 76 9090283 practice. . | = 4 a Metaoe ee seARERORetcaNios he APPENDIX VI