Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori, Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. and Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing signed the communiqué sent to Bush.
CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, Chuuk Gov. Wesley Simina, Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal, Kosrae Gov. Robert Weilbacher, and Pohnpei Gov. John Ehsa co-signed the document on Nov. 20 during the Micronesian Chief Executives Summit in Pohnpei.
“While the merits of the specific designation are debatable, the process is unacceptable to all of our people,” the Micronesian leaders told the president.
“Based on our experience, protected areas are only successful when they reflect the will and ideals of those affected. Mr. President, we ask that you refrain from designating any National Marine Monument in the CNMI against the wishes of the indigenous peoples of these islands,” they added.
Copies of the communiqué were also sent to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and the president’s chief environmental advisor who visited Saipan, James Connaugton, the chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
The CNMI Legislature and municipal officials are also opposed to the monument project.
The Guam Legislature, for its part, adopted a resolution supporting the CNMI government’s position.
“It is unjust for President George W. Bush to attempt to leave an environmental legacy in the White House by way of a National Marine Monument for the Marianas Trench without first receiving full input from stakeholders in the CNMI, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the surrounding territories in the Pacific Region,” Guam Resolution 196 stated.
It added, “The people of Guam reach out and join our neighboring islanders to take a cohesive stand in support of their objections of having the Mariana Trench and its surrounding waters recognized as national marine monument without full consultation and input from all stakeholders and interested parties.”
