The Office of Political Status, Constitutional Review and Federal Relations, a new division of the Governor’s Office has now been established by Governor Lolo Moliga.
The duties, functions and authority of the agency, are spelled out in a six page executive order that the governor signed today.
The office is to liaise, advise, collaborate with the Legislature and Judiciary on constitutional amendments or other political status issues that may be presented as referendums to the voters of American Samoa in the November 2016 general elections or the elections in 2018.
The office has its work cut out for it.
A long list of issues that the governor wants the agency to tackle include: research and develop principles of self determination and self governing practices, federal cabotage, extradition with Samoa, review of instruments of the Deeds of Cession, pros and cons of further integration with the United States including citizenship, the federal court system, federal immigration system and representation in Congress.
Research and development issues for the new office are the forms of government of other US territories, and other Pacific countries like Samoa, the decolonization process and international laws on self determination, federal Indian laws governing Native Hawaiians, and immigration policies .
The executive order provides a public education , and communications component with a view towards teaching the American Samoa constitution and political status in schools and disseminating the same through the media.
It also provides for public discussion.
The office of political status, constitutional review and federal relations is also to design a referendum, plebiscite or ballot providing voters with options that are clear, accurately reflects voter sentiments and ensures results are reliable, valid and conclusive.
Interestingly the executive order notes that the office shall weigh the pros and cons of a federally sanctioned plebiscite.
According to the governor’s order the office recognizes the urgent need to establish a coherent policy to deal with the negotiation of autonomy between the United States and American Samoa.
The agency is to work with the Fono and Judiciary to advise on constitutional amendments, future referendums and matters related to the constitution and political status, other executive branch departments, local entities including business, religious, village, non profit and community organizations and federal, regional or international offices and programs that can help it carry out its functions and responsibilities.
Last month the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of Interior awarded American Samoa $300,00 in technical assistance funds to set up the office.
Governor Lolo Moliga has appointed Tapaau Dr. Dan Aga, who was on the staff of the last Political Status review Commission and the 2010 constitutional review as the director of the new office.
