He said it should enact its own laws and be free from the negative impact of laws passed in Washington, D.C.
Togiola said American Samoa’s relationship with the United States is not as easy as it was in the past and it’s vital that it debate this association for the future.
He said without full autonomy American Samoa will continue to suffer the effects of laws, which are intended for the states.
Togiola said in the past, the Pacific territories had a special relationship with U.S. leaders but today’s climate in Washington is completely different and politicians there are not as sympathetic to the region as in the past.
One of Togiola’s biggest worries is that local laws which give special protections, such as the law requiring Samoan blood in order to own land, may eventually be challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.
The governor expects his views to be criticized but he said American Samoa needs to shed the cycle of dependence and strive for more self-reliance.
