“I still expect him to come up with a public apology,” San Nicolas said.
She told Variety that they didn’t want to be critical of Taotao Tano since “we were trying to promote a good relationship with each other.”
It is Cruz, however, who is being inconsistent, San Nicolas said, adding that the Taotao Tano leader was making one proposal after another.
She said they are determined to sue Cruz for “maligning their indigenous group.”
Former Speaker Oscar C. Rasa, their spokesman and adviser, said after they asked Cruz to apologize, the Taotao Tano president visited their office and offered “unity” between the two groups.
“But how can we be united when we differ in our positions?” Rasa said.
The public, he added, is not interested in personal issues.
Rasa said his group supported the lawsuit filed by Gov. Benigno R. Fital to stop the federal government from implementing the federalization law.
Cruz is against the governor’s action.
Rasa said Cruz is the only one who makes decisions regarding Taotao Tano’s stance on the issues.
In contrast, he added, it is the board of the CNMI Descents for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights that discusses the issues and decide on what position to take.
Cruz said he will not issue a public apology and will not collaborate with Rasa.
He said even if Rasa’s group sues him and rejects his truce offer, Taotao Tano will continue addressing the issues affecting the indigenous people of the CNMI.
