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April 30, 2021

U.S. Senator Schatz Pushes Emphasis On Pacific For US-China Strategy

Credit: Civil Beat

Kevin Knodell, Civil Beat, 4/21/21

A new U.S. Senate bill laying out American foreign policy priorities as the U.S. and China compete for influence around the globe contains several provisions focusing on Pacific Island nations and communities.

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who sits on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, authored six provisions in the bipartisan Strategic Competition Act that emphasize the increasing strategic importance of the region.

“We have deep ties to the Oceania community grounded in our shared commitment to respecting human rights and the rule of law, protecting marine resources, and combating the global climate crisis,” Schatz said in a press release Wednesday.

“This bill firms up our foreign policy commitment to Oceania by ensuring that we are aligning all the tools of U.S. diplomacy to strengthen people-to-people ties and support the economic needs and long-term resilience goals of our allies and partners in the region.”

The bill calls on the secretary of state to come up with a policy statement on the importance of the Oceania region to U.S. national interests and to craft a strategy for strengthening U.S. engagement with the countries of Oceania.

It notes that U.S. officials should work closely with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan “to address shared concerns and goals in pursuit of security and resiliency.”

Schatz also pushed for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Peace Corps to expand operations across the Pacific Islands and called for the State Department to provide a report to Congress on the effects of overfishing on communities in Oceania.

The Chinese government heavily subsidizes the operations of its expansive distant water fishing fleets, and the Chinese navy maintains a “maritime militia” of military trained fishermen that it uses to spy on foreign Navy vessels and stake out disputed territory in the South China Sea.

China has been extending its influence across Oceania, competing with both the United States and Taiwan.

Last year the island nation of Kiribati — just south of Hawaii — became part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative to establish infrastructure in support of Chinese political and economic interests. Kiribati is also the site of a mothballed satellite tracking system once run by China’s military-run space program and some security analysts believe Beijing sees Kiribati as a potential military outpost.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation as well as delegates from America’s Pacific Island territories have been vocal about concerns that the U.S. has neglected its interests in Oceania and in 2019 Rep. Ed Case established the Pacific Islands Caucus.

Former President Donald Trump’s administration initially made deep cuts to U.S. programs in the region but in the later years ramped up attention on the Pacific Islands as China made gains in the region. In its last year, the administration made curbing unregulated fishing by Chinese vessels a priority and signed an agreement with Palau to establish a new military base in the former American territory.

CNMI Governor Torres: Priorities are deficit, employees, 100% pension for retirees

Ferdie De La Torre, Saipan Tribune, 4/28/21

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said on Friday with the $515 million allocated to the CNMI under the American Rescue Plan Act, some of the priorities are to take care of the government’s deficit, no more furloughed employees, pay retirees 100% of their pension benefits, and have a universal garbage collection and special projects for the three islands.

Speaking at a radio news briefing, Torres said on priorities for the discretionary funds under ARPA, they definitely want to address the deficit and make sure that funds being spent are done accordingly.

“We want to make sure that we are able to cover and pay as much as we can in our deficit,” he pointed out.

Torres disclosed that he recently met with House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) and Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), and then also last Thursday with the Governor’s Economic Council advisers, to give a layout on the four categories that they need to spend the money.

“’We want to be sure that it falls within those categories and we’ll be sending our expenditure plan when it’s ready,” Torres said.

He said they are waiting for the guidelines from the U.S. Treasury as well.

The governor said first and foremost, they want to make sure that they have plans for the tourism market, work with the Marianas Visitors Authority, and also, through the Governor’s Economic Council Advisors.

He said they are also looking into universal garbage collection.

Torres said they want to continue to maintain payment of the 25% pension benefits to the retirees, making their pension 100%.

He assured that the employees are back at full hours and there will be no more furloughs.

The governor said with the ARPA funding, this will also give the municipalities the opportunity to get their priorities and work on that.

He said they send some infrastructure requests to the mayors.

“There’s a lot of moving factors into the expenditure plan,” Torres said.

He shared that they will be working with the mayors to work on special projects.

The governor said for example, they would like to give some funding to Rota to promote farming as they have excellent farming opportunities.

He said he talked with the Rota mayor regarding that project.

For Tinian, Torres said he spoke with the island’s mayor and leadership on embracing and expanding the cattle ranch.

For Saipan and the Northern Islands, the governor said, the focus is on fishing.

“So, in this way, they will give each island to showcase, you know, the love of our land and our waters. And I hope this will also give opportunity for the youth to have something within their islands—opportunity,” Torres said.

The governor said those are some of the projects that they’re looking at but that at the end of the day, they want to pay the deficit, protect government employees, and make sure that the retirees continue to get their 100% pension benefits.

“I can’t emphasize how critical our retirees for us to protect them. Even now, the whole last year, we had no tourism and yet, the administration was able to continue to give our retirees the 25% additional from the government, making their pension at 100%,” he added.

Guam Governor to senators:
Submit priority list for $664M

GOVERNOR: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero spoke at the Governor's Complex in Adelup on Monday. David Castro/The Guam Daily Post

Guam Daily Post, 4/21/21

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has written to the Legislature encouraging senators to submit a collective list of proposed priorities on how to spend the federal government's $664 million direct assistance to Guam.

The funding is being made available to the government of Guam as part of the latest round of COVID-19 pandemic aid Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed into law last month.

In the letter to Speaker Therese Terlaje, the governor said she is waiting for the federal government's guidelines on what the $664 million can be used for.

The governor wants to use this funding source to kickstart the development of a new public hospital and health center. This alone could reduce the funding by $300 million.

The Guam Economic Development Authority is seeking $37.8 million to help more pandemic-hit small businesses.

The Guam Visitors Bureau is hoping for at least $18 million for upgrades to Matapang Beach Park along Tumon Bay.

Certain senators have also urged the governor to use this funding source to pay out the local law called Recovery Income Support and Empowerment Act, which was passed last year. The RISE Act promises a one-time payment of up to $800 for eligible individuals and up to $1,600 for joint income tax filers to help them cope with 

The governor wants to meet with senators and is asking them to send a list of collective priorities by April 30.

American Samoa cannery
faces shortage of workers

StarKist Samoa compound in American Samoa Photo: RNZ Pacific/Fili Sagapolutele

Radio New Zealand, 4/8/21

The American Samoa government is working with StarKist Samoa to ease the critical worker shortage at the cannery.

Starkist is the territory's largest private employer, and the worker shortage is impacting the company's ability to keep up with global demand.

Our correspondent said StarKist Samoa had faced a shortage of workers, especially fish cleaners since mid 2020, and it just got worse at the beginning of this year.

StarKist Samoa last week launched a new advertising campaign saying that its hiring fish cleaners and special skilled workers.

The advertisement also said in Samoan that if the person's Immigration ID had expired StarKist would work with the American Samoa Immigration Office on this issue.

Responding to media questions via email, the spokesperson for the US-based StarKist Co, Michelle Faist, said the StarKist Samoa General Manager and the company's management team met with government officials last month.

"They were requesting the "government's help to improve their headcount so it can meet the global demand," she said.

She said StarKist proposed a local guest worker program, which is a current law, involving those already on island with problematic Immigration status that StarKist could assist, if the government allowed it.

Then last week, StarKist officials met with Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and his team.

From that meeting, the territorial government gave StarKist options on how to move forward.

Faist said the government program the cannery is working to implement right now deals with foreign nationals with expired P5 type immigration ID.

After these individuals get their necessary police and hospital clearances, their cases will be reviewed by the American Samoa Immigration Board, and if approved for renewal, it would be on the condition that they work for StarKist Samoa.

Asked if this would resolve the company's labor shortage, Faist said, "It's hopeful that the program - and the number of individuals eligible under it - will improve its headcount."

Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga said last month that the local economy relies on StarKist Samoa and they need the workers to keep the plant operating.

"We support StarKist Samoa during this challenging time. We have the workers, and we need them to get back to work," he said.

CNMI Millennials voice concerns about proposal to amend Article 12

K-Andrea Evarose Limol, Marianas Variety, 4/23/21

A HANDFUL of millennials provided testimony on Tuesday regarding Senate Legislative Initiative 22-1, a proposal to amend Article 12 of the CNMI Constitution.

Among them were 20-year-old Trini Iguel and 28-year-old Keoni Hosono.

“From my understanding, Article 12 was put in place to protect our people, but according to [SLI 22-1], the initial reasons supporting the establishment of Article 12 are no longer consistent with the needs of the Commonwealth and its people,” said Iguel.

“Will there ever be a time when our people will not need protection? No. Our people have suffered through 500 years of colonialism. This has decimated much of our language, our culture, and our heritage. At this point, the only true connection that we have to our identity as Chamorros and Carolinians is the land.”

She added, “Our forefathers negotiated for Article 12 for the protection of our people and future generations. They did this for us and this is something that will continue to protect what we have left of our identity.”

Iguel said land is not only a part of her identity, it also empowers her.

“I want to be able to share this feeling of empowerment with my future children and grandchildren. I don’t want to just talk to them about it; I want to share it with them,” she said. 

Then, turning to Senate President Jude Hofschneider, the author of the legislative initiative, she said, “Senator Hofschneider, you wanted to hear from millennials. Here I am, a 20-year-old aspiring social worker. I respect and understand where you are coming from with this initiative, so please respect and understand what we all have to say because the initial reason for supporting the establishment of Article 12 is still and will always be consistent for the Commonwealth and its people. I’m sure all of us here have an idea of what our future may look like without Article 12, whether it be military build-up, high cost of living, or whatever else it is that we might be envisioning. Too much has been taken away from us.”

She added, “We shouldn’t need to be having this conversation while other indigenous peoples throughout the world are fighting for their land back. We shouldn’t be giving foreign powers or businesses the ability to take away the truly only solid thing that we have left as a people. Our indigenous lands should always be in our indigenous hands. 

A threat to Article 12 is a threat to our people, so I ask you to make the right decisions and fight for our people and our continuity.”

Hosono, for his part, questioned whether studies were conducted on the impact of the legislative initiative on the Commonwealth and its people.

He said he had almost no idea what Article 12 does, other than what he had learned from the hearsay he has heard around the island from people who grew up with English as their second language.

“My knowledge of Article 12 and its protections and benefits to its people are limited. Although I can see what I have learned around the island that it’s nice that we do not have a homeless village full of tents,” he said.

Hosono encouraged lawmakers to do a better job of informing its people of the impact that Article 12 has on the CNMI and its people, and what impact the proposed amendment may have if ratified by voters.

“I believe that it is too soon to make amendments to Article 12. How many experts have you spoken to regarding this matter? Perhaps you have. I believe that you would have. How can we better educate the people of the Marianas to understand this issue? Your millennial is standing here before you, wanting to know what Article 12 does and does not do for us,” he said.

In order to make such an important business decision, he added, stakeholders like him deserve a better explanation than, “This is to start the conversation.”

“Why are we trying to improve our chances of selling land when we are still not done preparing our workforce for the reduction of CWs? Without land ownership and proper protection for the Chamorro and Carolinian, we will be paving our own ‘Trail of Tears,’ to a new tent village. The children of the Marianas need to have a summit to talk about where we, as a people, want to be in the future,” he said.

Moreover, Hosono said, “When will we begin moving up north? We have three islands occupied and many more that have potential. What can we do to help all of the islanders benefit from our ancestral lands being sold? I have classmates and friends who are not full NMDs, but they were born and raised here. They are my extended family. Every person in the community is a member of our island family, and I believe that this is their home. We should find ways to be more flexible.

“I, too, one day, want to be a landowner. Hopefully that day will come. Please educate us, again, on what Article 12 can and cannot do for us. Explain more how we can benefit from the suggested changes. Also, I believe that we should find a way to make income off the land and then give dividends to every citizen and resident of the CNMI,” he said in closing.

Introduced by Senate President Hofschneider in February, the legislative initiative would remove the restriction on the alienation of land in the CNMI to allow NMD landowners to fully exercise their real property rights, and to reduce the NMD percentage of ownership interest in the Northern Marianas Descent Corp.

A legislative initiative must be passed by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members of each house present and voting. It cannot be vetoed by the governor, but it must be approved by voters.

Asian Development Bank: Micronesia economic recovery possible by 2023

Dylan Clymer, Pacific Daily News, 4/29/21

Full economic recovery for the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau is possible by 2023, according to an Asian Development Bank report.

But that is dependent upon effective vaccine roll out and the recovery of tourist and fishing fleet markets.

“Although extensive precautions prevented significant COVID-19 outbreaks in the FSM and the Marshall Islands— and allowed Palau to avoid any COVID-19 cases — their economic fallout has been severe,” according to the authors of the report. 

The report stated the economies of those countries will continue to suffer in 2021 with economic recovery beginning next year.

“Restrictions on travel and mobility stalled tourism in Palau and trade in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, sharply contracting economies across the North Pacific in the past fiscal year,” the report stated.

  • Border closures and public health restrictions shrunk the economy of the Federated States of Micronesia by damaging the growth of the private sector, with transportation and formal employment in hotel and restaurants expected to fall further this year to 75% after a 46% decline last year.

  • The Marshall Islands’ primary source of economic growth is comprised of construction projects and fishing fleets and markets. The construction industry has remained relatively stable, but quarantine requirements for vessels has reduced fishing output, containerization, transshipment, supply provision and net repair. Travel restrictions and bans have “stalled activity in the country’s limited hospitality services. Fewer visitors and reduced local demand shrank wholesale and retail trade” according to the report.

  • Among one of the most tourist-driven economies in the world, global travel restrictions significantly impacted Palau’s path toward economic recovery, driving up unemployment in the hotel industry. In 2020, tourism declined by 43% in February, dropping further to 75% in March and to 99% in April through September, the report stated.

The economic impact of COVID-19 is being managed by each islands’ COVID recovery plans, along with aid from the United States. In the meantime, targeted assistance to protect the vulnerable is needed until economic recovery begins next year, according to the report.

Climate-affected Marshall Islands don't intend to relocate

Atoll nations are seeing an increased frequency in ocean inundations during high tides and storms. In this 2016 file photo of Majuro Atoll, a photographer stands ankle deep in water as ocean water floods over the island and onto the main road in the foreground. Photo: Hilary Hosia

Radio New Zealand, 4/23/21

The Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Casten Nemra says his country's people have no intention of relocating due to sealevel rise.

Nemra's comments come as the Marshalls' president David Kabua attends the US-hosted virtual Leaders Summit on Climate Change.

The Marshalls is the only Pacific Island country to have a leader participating in the summit, where he is advancing regional concerns about the need for more urgent action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

The US Geological Survey recently projected that some of the Marshalls' low-lying islands would be submerged by 2035, while others will probably lack drinking water because their aquifers would be contaminated with saltwater.

As a result, Marshallese could be forced to relocate from their homeland.

However, Nemra said the Marshallese were there to stay.

Casten Nemra. Photo: Supplied/Marshall Islands government

"Studies show that we've been here in the islands for the past two millenia. And we have every intent to stay here for the next two millenia," he said.

Let's put it that way. It's not an option for us to relocate or become so-called climate change refugees. It's comething we don't accept."

The minister said it was important for climate change deliberations at the United Nations and other multi-lateral organisations factor in the Marshall Islands' viewpoint.

Nemra said the suggestion that their nation should relocate was "degrading" and a violation of their wellbeing, as the islands were central to the identity of Marshallese.

"We're the people who have been residing in these respective islands, and we're here to stay," he said.

"The issue of climate change is a modern issue, and we have to come together and combat it, and deal with it accordingly, legally and morally. But we have no intention whatsoever to relocate ourselves."

About PBDC

The Pacific Basin Development Council, established in 1980 by the governors of Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Hawaii, is a regional non-profit organization that advances economic and social development in the Pacific Islands. The organization, which is based in Hawaii, is located at the East-West Center.

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