Torres introduced House Bill 17-07, or the Second Marianas Political and Economic Status Commission Act of 2010, yesterday.
He said now is the time to revisit the CNMI’s political relations with the U.S.
“Our Covenant with the U.S. is certainly worth taking the time and effort necessary to closely re-examine it in light of recent events and of changing world paradigms,” he said, referring to the political document that made the islands part of the U.S.
The Covenant was ratified by NMI voters and enacted into law by the U.S. Congress and then-President Gerald R. Ford.
Torres said the commission will be “vital” to the CNMI’s future especially at this time when Japan and the U.S. are restructuring their military forces in the region.
“Better relations with the U.S., however structured politically, will be key to U.S. desires to access Pagan, Tinian, Farallon De Mendinilla, and other islands in our commonwealth for training, other military exercises and even a possible base or bases,” the lawmaker said.
“We, as a people, must decide whether the risks taken and rewards received are commensurate with the price we will have to pay and whether it is a worthy trade. We must have a voice. We, the people’s elected representatives, can give them that voice and their rightful choice by opening up a community dialog to examine our current relationships with the U.S. and how it can be changed or improved,” he added.
Torres introduced a similar measure in the 15th and the 16th Legislatures.
