Lack of full understanding of the amended treaty results in apathy among FSM citizens
By Alex Rhowuniong
The amendments to the Federated States of Micronesia’s Compact of Free Association with the United States are all set in place. President Biden signed the COFA Amendment Act in March. Under the new agreements, Washington has committed $3.3 billion to the FSM throughout the 20-year cycle, in exchange for the United States’ exclusive defense rights in the nation.
Yet, not too many Micronesians, including those living on Guam, seem to care.
What's going on in their daily lives is more important to them.
“Do you know that we just had our leaders renegotiate the terms of the U.S. government’s economic assistance?” the Pacific Island Times asked some Micronesians.
“Yes, but I haven’t had a chance to look it up or read up on it,” said Pio Kuor, an outer island Chuukese living in Salem, Oregon.
We asked the same question to another FSM citizen who resides on Guam. “So, what did we get?” asked Barnabas Rating, a Yapese living in Yigo.
Another responded: “No, but I heard we're doing something,” said Spencer Yens, a Yigo resident who came from outer island Pohnpei and outer island Chuuk.
While they may or may not have heard something about the new COFA, several Micronesians do not seem motivated to find out what it’s all about.
The apathy is likely to continue until Micronesians actually feel the treaty’s impact on their lives in a real and tangible way.
“Oh, but it will,” said Sander Choffat, another outer island Chuukese living in Oregon, “in a very real way, too. True, the amended compact III is already done. Yes, I have seen it and read it.”
Under COFA, which went into effect in 1986, the U.S. provided grant assistance worth $1.54 billion to the FSM between FY1987 and FY2003. During the second 20-year compact term between FY2004 and FY2023, the U.S. provided $1.6 billion in grant assistance and $517 million in trust fund contributions to the FSM.
Besides increased funding assistance, the new agreements include Medicaid, education grants and FEMA assistance, among others, for FSM citizens.
Choffat is aware of the COFA citizens’ eligibility for programs that were not included in compacts I and II. But in the end, he sees the new agreements as the result of geopolitical tensions triggered by China’s growing influence in the region.
“Our strategic location is too important to ignore,” he said. “Geopolitical tensions are somewhat unpredictable, so voicing our opinions and rights in the defense role won't hurt. But we need to be very careful with what they offer us in return.”
Karmeno Ifa of Fefan, Chuuk, who lives in Ordot/Chalan Pago, assumed that something had happened, but he wasn't sure. “Was it ever in the news?” Yens quipped.
Ifa expressed concerns because he didn't know what was in COFA. “I am a citizen and I believe we need to be aware,” he said. “Sometimes, our leaders may just think about big money, a lot of assistance for us. But even that has to be weighed. I’m just concerned. There is always cause and effect. I pray that our leaders were guided by the Almighty God in all they did.”
The COFA allows the United States to operate armed forces in compact areas— which, besides the FSM, also include Palau and the Marshall Islands that maintain their own COFAs— to demand land for operating bases, and excludes the militaries of other countries without U.S. permission. In turn, the U.S. becomes responsible for protecting its affiliate countries and administering all international defense treaties and affairs, though it may not declare war on their behalf.
While the FSM diplomatic ties with China—which the U.S. military marks as America’s most challenging competition in the region— the allied Pacific nation is considered part of the U.S. homeland. The Department of Defense is investing $400 million in Yap, where it plans to deploy air defense assets and conduct military exercises.
Diano Raigumal, a Yapese living in California, agrees that COFA is a good deal for the FSM.
“I do understand the FSM and the U.S. cooperated when negotiating the new compact. In my opinion, it's for the betterment of our country and for its security,” he said.
Raigumal believes it’s a good compromise. The FSM is not exactly giving up its sovereignty; it is simply aligning its core values with those of the U.S. to access the programs and resources the U.S. has to offer, he said.
“When it comes to security,” Raigumal said, “we obviously can't do that on our own. We need U.S. protection, which requires them to access our waterways freely. The FSM needs to allow them to use our lands for military operations. With China aggressively gaining land access in the South Pacific, the U.S. is prioritizing the urgency to counter that.”
During the FSM’s celebration of its Independence Day on Nov. 3, President Wesley Simina defended the nation’s alliance with the U.S.
“We have taken bold steps in securing the future of our people, whether through the renegotiation of our Compact of Free Association, which ensures our partnership with the United States, or through our leadership in the global fight against climate change, standing up for the survival of small island nations,” Simina said.
“Our work with developing partners has resulted in critical investments in infrastructure, transportation, and renewable energy, which will improve the lives of all our citizens from the outer islands to our capitals,” he added.
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