The complex path to Marianas' reunification
In a public lecture held on Saipan, in the Northern Mariana Islands, several years ago, I had the privilege listen to a public lecture by local historian Don Farrell as he talked about the prickly issue of reunification between the two Marianas: Guam and the Northern Marianas.
Although Farrell underscored their status as “unincorporated territories” as sticking point; he, however, pointed out that the archipelago north of Guam had already taken a leap forward by agreeing to a covenant—-a mutually agreed-upon political status, a step ahead of Guam’s unilateral Organic Act.
Farrell said there had been unsuccessful attempts to negotiate its political status like that of the Northern Marianas. In his opinion, Farrell said the ball is in Guam’s court: Guam has to determine its political status and have its own constitution before discussions on reunification could resume.
Prior to reunification, both Guam and the CNMI must become “incorporated,” according to Farrell, which he said, requires either of the two potential avenues: U.S. Congress nullifying or Supreme Court overturning insular cases.
Referencing Puerto Rico’s situation in the context of the insular cases, Farrell believed a judicial review would be necessary. He said the term “territory” did not exist before the insular cases, and that the judicial interpretations shaped the limitations on inhabitants of unincorporated territories.
Questions and considerations on reunification
Farrell posed thought-provoking questions on the prospects and consequences of reunification, acknowledging that there are some who believe that the opportunity for reunification has long passed, and that they’re content with the existing unincorporated status. Should there be a reunification, a major challenge would be unifying the two governments and the reluctance of leaders to make the necessary sacrifice.
Economic expediency and the military factor
Signing the Treaty of Paris in 1898***, acquiring Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam, but leaving behind the Northern Marianas, was for Farrell America’s regrettable foreign policy mistake, emphasizing that it was economically not feasible to have two territorial governments for essentially one group of people.
As to the military aspect, Farrell harked back to the inchoate years of the political status negotiations with the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and midway through the negotiations, broached the need for a fallback base. For Farrell, a unified Marianas would have bolstered the islands’ negotiations with the United States relating to military matters.
All is not lost on the possibility of reunification. Farrell believed that for a reunification to happen, it would require the leadership to deal with the complexities, as they make the essential steps to achieving equal and full citizenship.
***In 1898, following the conclusion of the Spanish-American War, under the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded all claims of sovereignty over the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the United States. The treaty also guaranteed Cuba’s independence and the assumption of its $400 million debt by Spain.
The U.S. paid $20 million to acquire the Philippine islands.
Meanwhile, Spain sold its rights over the Carolines (including Palau) and Northern Marianas to Germany, or whatever was left of the Spanish East Indies, for 25 million pesetas or the equivalent of $4.5 million in 1899.