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Governor Togiola wants to discuss
territory’s relationship with the
United States |
Future Political Status Study Commission Chairman
Tufele Li'amatua |
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Will American Samoa opt to become an independent nation, a Compact of Free Association, operate as another form of government, or choose the status quo? An answer to this question is being sought from the territory’s residents by Governor Togiola Tulafono who, during his weekend radio program, said that the people of American Samoa need to start thinking about the future of its current relationship with the United States.
Togiola said nothing about a constitutional convention.
Research and ‘fact finding missions’ to seek alternatives to the territory’s long standing ties with the US were carried out by the Future Political Status Study Commission whose final report has already been given to the Governor and the local Legislature.
(The Fono has announced that a public hearing to address the report and seek clarification from FPSSC chairman Tufele Li’amatua and Commission members will take place at the Senate Guest Fale on November 15 from 8 a.m. – 12 noon).
Togiola said that the FPSSC has already done its job and it is now up to the territory to decide what form of government they feel will be most beneficial and appropriate for American Samoa.
Togiola’s call for a review of the territory’s political status came after the US State Department informed the governors of US pacific territories that their participation in the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting recently in Tonga required them to sit behind the US delegate to the conference.
The announcement did not go over well with the leaders from the other territories, all of whom didn’t want to attend the meeting under the stated condition.
The post Forum meeting did not even have a US delegate, which caused Togiola to question why the State Department would assign US territories to observe from the back burner when there was no representation by them at this particular meeting.
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