[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SHOULD RESPECT THE NEED BY THE PACIFIC 
            TERRITORIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN SPREP AND APEC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Guam [Mr. Underwood] is recognized for five minutes.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, in the midst of admirable efforts by the 
administration to improve our economy and increase America's 
competitiveness overseas, there have been recent actions taken by the 
State Department which stifle economic advancement in the territories 
of the United States. In the same manner, while the administration 
makes valiant attempts to improve and sustain the integrity of the 
environment, the State Department rejects advances in environmental 
stewardship and economic growth in the South Pacific.
  The rejection of Guam's participation in regional organizations, 
namely in Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation [APEC] and the South 
Pacific Regional Environmental Protection Program [SPREP], are the 
reasons for these inconsistencies in national policy.
  APEC is an organization dedicated to the strengthening of regional 
economic ties among its 15 members. It seeks to reduce trade barriers 
and encourage investment by coordinating economic policy. The members 
of APEC are liberally called member economies so that economies which 
are not completely sovereign, such as the crown colony of Hong Kong, 
may participate. Unfortunately, the State Department denies Guam the 
right to participate in the regional organization outside of the seat 
held by the United States. Their contention is that Guam can be 
adequately represented through the United States just like the States 
of the Union, despite the fact that we are economically entirely unlike 
the States. We are not part of the customs zone, and are not part of 
NAFTA, we are ignored regularly in all trade talks and considerations.
  Guam, whose economy is closely tied to the Asian and the Pacific 
economies, is not treated as a State. So why are we denied the 
opportunity to represent our own interest? Is the United States 
uncomfortable with the possibility of having an equal seat on an 
organization with one of its territories or does it not like the 
possibility of a territory disagreeing with a policy as was the case in 
SPREP?
  Many parallels can be drawn between Guam's treatment in APEC and its 
current situation in the South Pacific Regional Environmental 
Protection Program. What makes the denial of full participation in 
SPREP even more absurd, however, is the fact the Guam was a full member 
of the South Pacific Commission, the organization that gave birth to 
SPREP. Reasons given by the State Department cite concerns with the 
structure, membership, and funding of the organization. Could it be, 
however, that the Department of State fears further confrontation from 
the South Pacific governments over issues such as draft net fishing and 
nuclear dumping? Guam must be allowed to voice its concerns about such 
serious actions taking place in our own back yard!

  Regrettably, on June 18, 1993, Guam withdrew from SPREP after being 
refused equal representation. This followed a plan approved by all 
members of SPREP--with the exception of the U.S. Delegation--that would 
have allowed Guam and dependant areas to participate.
  This past week the National Governors Association met here in the 
District. Among those attending the NGA meeting were the Governors of 
the ``off-shore'' areas including Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. During the Off-Shore Governors' 
Forum, a resolution was passed taking issue with the action of the 
Federal Government with regard to partcipation in APEC and asked for 
observer status for Guam. Will this body and this administration ignore 
the sentiments of these Governors in their effort to maintain and 
develop their economic strength and to contribute to that of the United 
States? I trust that we will not disregard the plea for equal 
opportunity in being allowed to observe APEC activities in an 
independent fashion since Guam's economic viability is at stake.
  APEC and SPREP offer disturbingly poignant demonstrations of how the 
Federal Government determines Guam's status in an arbitrary manner. The 
problems associated with region organizational participation also speak 
to the reasons why we must seek to better define Guam's political 
status and relationship to the United States.
  Advances in economic and environmental policy must not be thwarted by 
unnecessary control over the territories. In order to develop the 
human, economic, and ecological potential of Guam and the Pacific 
region, the Federal Government must allow these areas to share in the 
responsibility and accountability of governing instead of being 
directed from the other side of the world. We must resolve the 
political status and relationship between Guam and the United States 
and we must allow the territories to participate fully in regional 
organizations whose activities directly affect the people and the 
economies of the Pacific. By this action, we can avoid further 
inconsistencies and questions of regional participation.
  Trade and economic development opportunities have shifted to the 
nations in Asia and the Pacific basin. The United States Government 
fully recognizes this reality and should respect the need for the 
Pacific territories to participate in SPREP and APEC.

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