The State Department hasn’t formally decided what new status the territories should have in the Pacific Island Forum, but Congresswoman Uifa’atali has wasted no time in letting State know American Samoa’s position.
KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
Congresswoman Amata has written Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink that the territories should have a voice in the Pacific Island Forum—a key body for US relations with the Pacific Island nations.
Amata writes that she backs Governor Lemanu in his advocacy for an associate membership in the Pacific Island Forum, or ‘PIF.’
Lt. Governor Laapui Talauega Eleasalo Ale said ASG “received an email from State Department officials” after a Guam news outlet published a story that suggested State did not support ASG’s PIF efforts. The Department said that was “simply not true.”
It added that the story cited an “outdated policy document” that predates the US government’s decision to support the territories’ status as PIF ‘observers,’ a status American Samoa’s had since 2011.
Amata reflecting in her letter State’s broader stance, writes Kritenbrink that associate membership should come with the understanding the President and State are the “sole voice of US foreign policy.”
The Congresswoman adds that input from American Samoa and other Pacific territories will have a “broadening positive effect” on the US commitment in the Pacific Islands region.
Amata has, herself, taken part in PIF meetings and has pointed out concern among island nation leaders over China’s aggression and malign efforts to buy influence in the region.
Uifa’atali Amata writes Kritenbrink that she appreciates the vital role his office plays in the “ongoing geopolitical situation with China” in the Pacific…that she supports State’s difficult diplomatic missions…and hopes “limited engagement” by the territories can help.
Amata concludes, “In American Samoa, where we just celebrated our 124th Flag Day in union with the United States, we love our country and we’re always beyond proud to be part of the United States where we have the highest rate of Army enlistment per capita in the USA.”
