*..
CHAPTER 3
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT LEADS TO GREATER
SELF-GOVERNMENT BUT POLICY QUESTIONS PERSIST
The United States has shown flexibility in the political
development process for each territory under its administration.
As a result, the territories have freely chosen different forms
of political status based on their unique characteristics and
needs.
The general trend has been toward greater autonomy and
self-government.
Despite the strides in political development,
many territories believe the meaning of self-determination as a
policy is unclear because it offers little specific guidance for
attaining greater economic self-reliance.
Several Federal and
territory officials believe U.S. policy must be translated into
comprehensive terms which address economic, social, and politi-~
cal development concerns.
This
chapter discusses political development of
territories
and
the
developments in the
tory of the Pacific.
NMI.
Chapter
Micronesian
4
states
covers
under
recent
the
the
flag
political
Trust
Terri-
SELF-DETERMINATION PERMITS FLEXIBLE
APPROACH TO POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
'
In
1962,
President
Kennedy
summarized
the
federal
govern-
ment's attitude to the territories' political development.
"Local
self-government
iS
among
the
most
cherished of American democratic traditions.
This nation is committed to the principle of
self-determination and will continue to support
and
encourage
responsible’
self-rule.
throughout
the
world
and
particularly
in
those territories under
the United States."
the
jurisdiction of
President Carter's 1980 statement on the territories, the most
recent effort to address U.S. policy, also endorsed the fundamental principle of self-determination, noting that all status
options should be open to the people of the insular areas. The
current administration continues to support the policy of self-
détermination.
In adhering to the principle of self-determination, the
United States has generally acceded to the wishes of the territories with respect to status.
In 1946, independence was gran-—
In 1952 commonwealth status was granted
ted to the Philippines.
to Puerto Rico, and in 1976, the Congress approved the covenant
Islands which grants commonwealth
with the Northern Mariana
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