Legislative Referral Memorandum: State's Draft Compact of Free Association

Peterson, Ronald K. (1983-12-29). Legislative Referral Memorandum: State's Draft Compact of Free Association. Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget.

• Has attachment: File:V482BIMZ.pdf

Abstract: US State Department's draft Compact of Free Association, including a draft Presidential letter and section-by-section analysis, from late December of 1983.

"...The passage by Congress of the Joint Resolution approving the Compact of Free Association will constitute a landmark step in the process leading to the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement with the United Nations Security Council which the United States entered into by Congressional joint resolution on July 18, 1947. Another political jurisdiction of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, will become a commonwealth of the United States pursuant to the terms of Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Covenant, P.L. 94-241, 90 Stat. 263, upon termination of the Trusteeship Agreement..."

"...I urge the Senate and the House to take early, positive action to approve the Compact of Free Association which, when it enters into force, will become law in accordance with its provisions. The peoples of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands have spoken loudly and clearly at the negotiating table and in their plebiscites. They deeply desire to implement their chosen future political status. More importantly, they fervently seek a new relationship with the United States, founded in mutual agreement and equality and deserving of the highest and best traditions of our beloved country..."