“It is very disappointing. This is a great loss to the commonwealth,” he added.
He said they will ask again for the delay in the implementation of the program so that Russian and Chinese tourists can continue visiting the islands even without getting U.S. visas.
The governor, he said, supports the implementation of the federalization law, but not on Nov. 28.
The delay in the implementation should be extended for one more year to allow DHS to install the security infrastructure that will allow Russian and Chinese tourists to visit the islands, Reyes said.
The administration will ask the U.S. Congress to amend the federalization law and allow the CNMI to continue to access the Russian and Chinese tourist markets, he added.
He said they are also asking CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan to reconsider his position not to delay further the implementation of the federalization law.
While the administration understands the federal government’s concerns regarding national security, Reyes said the U.S. should also consider the economic development of the commonwealth.
According to Reyes, the U.S. lawmakers who recently visited Saipan were “more understanding, sympathetic and receptive” to the CNMI’s appeal regarding the Russian and Chinese tourists.
He said the U.S. lawmakers understand the negative impact on the local economy.
He said they continue to engage with DHS but the department refuses to grant the CNMI’s appeal.
Reyes admitted that the CNMI faces an “uphill battle” in Washington, D.C.
