se en . Minutes of Meeting of the REGIONAL CCMMITTEE FOR TERRITORIAL ASSISTANCE August 26, 1977 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Chairman Renda opened the first meeting of the committee by welcoming the members and giving a brief report on the genesis of the Comittee. A discussion followed concerning the comparison of the functions of this committee with those of the Washington canmittee of Interagency Territorial Assistance. It was pointed out that the primary purpose of the Washington committee is to provide coordination at the policy level while the Regional committee will be primarily responsible for coordination and implementation of field operations and programs. The Chaiyman also noted that the former TTPI/NMI transition subcommittee of the Western Federal Regional Council (WFRC) has been or will be abolished in view of the creation of our cammittee. We will, however, continue to work closely with WFRC on matters of mutual concern. The Committee's attention was called to the fact that unlike the limited scope of the WFRC subcommittee, our cammittee will cover federal activities in all of the U.S. Pacific territories: American Samoa, Guam, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands (including the Northern Mariana Islands). Committee members were introduced and those who had not previously received one were furnished with acopy of a basic briefing or reference book on the Pacific territories which was prepared by the Chairman. A list of attendees is attached. OBJECTIVES OF COMMITTEE General discussion concerning a definition of the committee objectives followed and the committee agreed that our objectives should be: 1. Coordination of territorial Federal programs. - 2. Surface and resolve program related issues. 3. Effect interagency ‘exchange of data and information of mutual interest or concern. 4. Identify and establish proper channels of communication and 5. authority with the Pacific territories, Respond to requests for assistance from the territories.