The United States and Micronesia in Free Association: a Chance to Do Better?
Manhard, Phillip W. (June 1979). The United States and Micronesia in Free Association: a Chance to Do Better?. National Security Mongraph (Report). Washington, DC: National Defense University. pp. 1–77.
- Has attachment: File:MVXB9XEC.pdf
Abstract: Aside from those relatively few Micronesian specialists in the Congress and in the Departments of Interior, State, and Defense, American perceptions of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands tend to be based entirely on the remembrances of the great battles of World War II for Guam, Saipan, Truk , and the Marshalls. What is not generally appreciated is that the United States has administered Micronesia—with its three million square miles of ocean , 2,000 islands , and 120,000 people—as a strategic trust under the United Nations Trusteeship Council since 1947, and that Guam has been an American territory since 1898.
Ambassador Philip W. Manhard traces the tortuous bureau- cratic history of the American presence in Micronesia and shows how security and defense issues took precedence over political, social, and economic responsibilities. He then follows the various stages of Micronesian political development through the current negotiations between the United States and Micronesia toward eventual termination of the trusteeship. Ambassador Manhard is optimistic about the outcome, and is confident that the two parties seem to be entering the final stages of negotiations for a new relationship of “free association."" He offers some sound suggestions for the United States in meeting the challenges and grasping the opportunities for a mutu- ally constructive relationship with Micronesia, and builds an excel- lent case for a central point in the executive branch for United States-Micronesian affairs.
This excellent paper on a little-known but vital foreign policy issue clearly explains the evolution of the American Involvement in Micronesia, and offers coherent and thoughtful suggestions for the future.
Extra details:
MAG: 235709088 OpenAlex: W235709088 CorpusID: 127879862
