Memorandum for Mr. Kissinger: Additional Information Items
McManis, Dave (1972-04-20). Memorandum for Mr. Kissinger: Additional Information Items.
- Has attachment: File:S8T2V47N.pdf
Abstract: Memo including an update on political status negotiations.
"Micronesian status negotiations: out of the latest session of the Micronesia status negotiations held in Micronesia April 2 - 1 3 , Ambassador Franklin Mayden Williams has achieved agreement in principle with the Micronesian representatives to conclude a compact of association, embodied in a joint communique, the agreement:
-bases the compact on the sovereign right of the people of Micronesia to choose their own future
-vests in Micronesia the control over Micronesian internal affairs while reserving to the US responsibility for foreign affairs and defense.
-provides for the right of the people of Micronesia to write their own constitution while stipulating that the constitution will not conflict with the Compact
-provides the right of unilateral termination of the compact, under which either party could give notice after the compact has been in force for a specified number of years (to be determined) while stipulating that our new leases and options to lease would continue for their specified terms and that a mutual security pact which would provide for US defense interests, would be negotiated in advance of the signing of the compact and would take effect in the event of termination.
Negotiations on the Compact will begin possibly as early as June.
One of the six districts, the Marianas District, which is the most important to our immediate military basing requirements and which geographically (as the Marianas islands) includes Guam) opted out of Micronesia and asked us for separate negotiations looking toward some form of closer permanent political association with US. Ambassador Williams agreed, and is discussing a time and place for the negotiations to get underway, he was authorized in his negotiating instructions to take this step if in his judgment he considered it warranted.
