The question, “Should Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Rota, Tinian, and the Northern Islands) reunify in the pursuit of a new political status? Yes or No,” is one that needs answered by the people, the lawmaker said yesterday.
She has introduced a bill calling for a non-binding plebiscite on the issue.
Guthertz noted that past Guam governors have advocated for the reunification: Joseph Ada, Carl T.C. Gutierrez and Felix Camacho.
Incumbent Gov. Eddie B. Calvo also “shares the desire,” she added.
Guthertz said it was her understanding that Saipan Republican Rep. Joseph P. Palacios is interested in introducing a similar piece of legislation in the CNMI House of Representatives.
In Nov. 2009, Dr. Carlyle Corbin, a United Nations advisor, said some felt that the reunification of Guam and the CNMI would create a greater opportunity to either become the 51st state or for an autonomous political status like that of free association.
Corbin said the islands’ ability to survive without military protection from the U.S. was a very valid concern, but the possibilities of more freedom to engage in the international economic system would also offer new opportunities.
In 1969, a reunification plebiscite was with Guam rejecting it while NMI voted in favor.
Guthertz, in a statement, said “although political leaders in both Guam and the NMI understood the practical benefits of a larger population base and closer relationship with the United States, they were not able to overcome the hard feelings between Guam and Saipan left over from World War II and the Japanese occupation.”
The NMI was a Japanese possession from 1914 to 1944.
“The clearly perceived and anything but imaginary snub of rejection has rankled with NMI residents to this day and various efforts to revive reunification over the years have failed,” Guthertz noted.
“It’s time to kick this discussion into the 21st century,” she added.
Asked for comment yesterday, Rep. Stanley T. Torres said the CNMI should “think it over,” referring to the proposed reunification.
Torres, Ind.-Saipan, recalled that in 1969, the NMI people overwhelmingly supported such an idea but Guam rejected it.
He said now that the CNMI people have more leverage with the federal government than Guam, reunification is being brought to the table again.
“Not at this time,” he added.
Once reunification happens, he said, Saipan, Tinian and Rota will become like villages of Guam due to their smaller populations.
“You could imagine how the NMI people will be treated once they become just a small part of the Marianas. Anyway, it’s kind of early to be thinking about it. We are not ready yet,” he added.
