House Minority Leader Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, said he intends to sponsor a resolution urging the president to include Saipan in his itinerary when Obama visits Guam next month on his way to Australia and Indonesia.
“Because of the recent implementation of the federalization law, I wish the president would come and visit us as well,” said Benavente.
The Northern Marianas has never been visited by an incumbent American president.
Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, R-Saipan, said he will support Benavente’s resolution.
But Speaker Tenorio has a different take on the issue.
“It’s just a waste of the president’s time to come to the Northern Marianas. He has a purpose in stopping by on Guam. He has none here,” he told the Variety.
The former governor, who served as a three-term CNMI Washington representative, said every presidential visit involves advanced and thorough planning for security reasons.
“There are reasons for him to stop by on Guam. For example, the national interest because Guam is a strategic island. If the president has a reason to come to the Northern Marianas, we don’t have to invite him. He has more things to do than to stop by here,” he said.
He noted that Obama’s trip to Guam, Australia and Indonesia will cost federal taxpayers millions of dollars and involves a lot of security people.
“They have to send his limousine [there] in advance. Not only that, my understanding is that the Secret Service will have to be sent in advance. It’s very expensive,” he said.
