ViewPoint; Secret Guam Study Revised

A. Very shoddy treatment political status and that one secret study this week Gaughan viewpoint as to whether there is any interest at all in a series of steps to improve Graham's political status. If there's not there's not I'm not going away very. Soon. This is the program. Thank you for joining us we invite you to be part of the

audience. Political status and self-determination has been issues for generations in the 20th century the quest for defined political relationship with the United States has been a paramount dynamic in the public consciousness. Congress approved the organic act of 1950. Our most significant advancement toward self-government. It outlines the details of Washington's administration of the island and the rights granted to the population. It does not however bestow self government or established as a distinct political entity. The self-determination movement has been active for decades. Advocates and politicians have pursued many different initiatives and solutions and the attempt to help find an ambiguous position as Americans to incorporate as a commonwealth has been the goal of many people and organizations since the

1960s. The Commonwealth Act has been introduced in Congress a number of times with somewhat mixed reception but always the same result not approved. And tonight's view point we examine a fascinating chapter in the history of Guam's Commonwealth movement a chapter that has recently been reopened. We now train the viewpoint spotlight on the complex and wide ranging story of the federal government study of political status. And President Gerald Ford's authorization of commonwealth status for Guam in 1975. Eulogy professor Dr. Dirk Ballon d'Or and attorney Howard will and brought the story to light in 2004 with the publication of their book The Secret study how President Ford's 1975 approval of Commonwealth was blocked by federal officials. They continue to energetically pursue answers to the questions raised in their research. We'll hear excerpts from remarks they made several weeks ago at a public forum sponsored by the Micronesian area Research Center and eulogy. And Katie ts. Over the past few months we've

also talked with some of the key players in the viewpoint studio Mr. Congress tighten it was one of those interviews from him will get a historic perspective on political determination from a primary source. Mr Titan always been part of his political status ques since before World War Two and was instrumental in the adoption of the Organic Act. Also in studio we'll talk to Senator Jesse Hahn who has written to President Bush asking for several decisions to be made and specific actions to be taken regarding the study and President Ford's decision. First let's trace the story. It's a tale of a government study that led to a presidential order and how both remained a secret from Guam for nearly 30 years. For the beginning we turned to Dr. Ballon d'Or from his viewpoint studio interview. And Mr. Howard will and from the former Mr. Williams and his wife the end seamer have been active in the Micronesian affair since the 70s and are the authors of several books about federal policy regarding to see an MRI. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

they continue to research and write unrelated topics which lead them to the secret study. During the forum televised live by Cage ATF Mr. Williams explained how he discovered the existence of the study. The process of uncovering the details and some of the fundamental questions. In the course of looking carefully at the documents associated with the last stages of negotiating the Covenant in late 974 in early nineteen seventy five I came across a reference to a fact that a study was being prepared within the executive branch dealing with the political status concerns of Guam. And it became clear from the document that it had been a originated by suggestions from Ambassador Williams Going back to 1973 to the effect that he was finding the Khomeini and exhibiting some shall we say considerable

ambivalence concern dismay and very chagrin and concern suspicion about what was going on in the Northern Mariana Islands and the Romanian leaders protested to Ambassador Williams And to Congressman Burton when he descended from the sky periodically to visit the natives. That in fact their complaints were well-founded and that there were serious problems here and that the United States had better be concerned in addressing these concerns because among other reasons with the growing mania leaders might oppose the Covenant in Congress when it came before the Congress to be approved. So guided both by interest of political safeguards and out of a sense of justice the federal government embarked on this year long study. And the question that I encountered from the documents was well should we defer the signing of the covenant until the

President Ford acted on the recommendations of the committee that had been put before him. It was unclear from the limited references I had exactly what the study consisted of where it had originated and what kind of memoranda had been presented to the president for his review. So it was enough to trigger our interest. And as we went on to finish our work with respect to the Northern Mariana Islands we decided that this was something worth pursuing. So we visited Dirk and his colleagues at Mark as early as the year 2000 to find out if anyone here had heard about such a comprehensive study with respect to Guam. And the answer was clearly negative. We then paid a visit to the Ford Library in Ann Arbor Michigan in the fall of 0 9 2001 and confirmed that there was in fact a study but it was classified and would not be released to us. And there were very few documents that the archivist were prepared to release during that visit. By this time we had persuaded a dirk to assume the

burdens of being a requester under the Freedom of Information Act to seek the relevant documents from state interior and defense. We limit ourselves to those three agencies. On this occasion. Deanna again volunteered as we say to be the counsel for Dirk. After some desultory acknowledgment of our request the agencies failed to communicate with us either to produce documents advise us as to the nature of the search indicate whether our request was too broad or too difficult to understand. In short after six months there was total silence. Well neither Dirk or my wife is known for their patience and after 30 months of waiting patiently for the federal agencies to fulfill their legal obligations to produce documents that are not classified and are responsive to the request we filed lawsuits in May 2003.

Within two weeks. We received short of a daily wish but it was several hundred documents from Defense State and interior. It was clear they had organized the documents. After securing them from various different archives they had prepared them for duplications and production but they had refused to communicate that fact to us and they thought that this pesky professor from Guam did not have the persistence or the wherewithal to file lawsuits. So we proved them wrong in that regard and they hasten to produce the documents because unless they produce the documents quickly. Heaven forbid we might try to actually litigate the case and there was the risk that we might get attorney's fees if they fail to fulfill their obligations fully. So intimidated by our legal problems they produce the document says as quickly as they could and then we file the few motions to compel because we thought the whole 12 documents from the Department of State was simply an adequate

production. I mean I had 200 documents from the Department of State with respect to our earlier work and I had some idea what to expect from these agencies. But the Freedom of Information Act as you might suspect is not a favor to a legislative proposal in Washington. These days but to be fair under almost every administration the Act provides burdens on the bureaucracy that they find onerous. They don't like to have their conduct exposed to outside critics and they will find every conceivable way to invoke the exemptions or other excuses not to honor their statutory obligations. It took us a year to get about 400 pages of documents with respect to the study and it's on that basis that we wrote the book that you have have seen and I'm sure many times before coming to this forum. Now beyond that then we are we were faced with the question as to well what happened to the study because as you know from the attachments

President Ford did approve the basic recommendations of the study on February 1975 and he directed that the Department of Interior implement the study what should have happened because the President Ford's. Well President Ford's order sort of tripped off a continuing dialogue towards the end of commonwealth status for Guam and the executive branch. And it should have precipitated the attending necessary discussion on the part of the legislative branch. That may have resulted in the awarding of Commonwealth or working out the Commonwealth was an option for Guam that would have happened or maybe not. But the entire process was. Squelched. It shows once again. Evidence of very shoddy treatment by Washington and the Interior Department in particular who they are supposed to be looking out for us. They're supposed to

help us. The quest for a defined political relationship with the United States has a long history Colus title has been present for and a participant in many of the discussions and proceedings that have led to this point. Among other achievements he led the 1949 Congress walkout that led to the adoption of the Organic Act and the granting of U.S. citizenship for morals. Perhaps more than anyone he's qualified to articulate the perspective of history. I asked both he and Dr. BALANOFF for their takes on why political status is still an unresolved issue. Mr. type to know began his response by demonstrating the attitude of the population. For the moment I'm very comfortable. Why. And of course the delegate in Washington also cannot be introducing something unless they get. Some sort of support from the island. So what do want to do again is get to sit down and as I've been trying to do. And determine what was

because you know the different ways you can say this. First because we've been allowed to do a constitution that when they didn't like something just die down him. Your Constitution and it's headed in for the approval. Disapproval or go directly again and lobby for inorganic for a minute you're gonna have to give these things in many many ways. But first of all get them to be and to be interested in advancing a political status. Yes. And then and then before you do anything you go to get the people behind you. Another referendum again after you conclude. Which way you want to go for the said Come away just like that. But a couple of the terminology you got. I think the field to go unexplained is like the failure to reintegrate the Marianas was not our fault. The two most turned it down but we didn't go on to explain. So let me just you can look at how it is we don't want to use our taxpayers money to support these people. But it would have been a good lot of money for the two of us

now so we should go around before we do anything. And explain this to Phyllis and talk this a different things and unexpected them now and then a referendum. And see whether they approve that way or this way and then we move on to the leadership type that I can do by myself that I have a lot of people working for me I will continue to do it. Eventually it will I think. Yeah maybe another year or two. It was 10 people or 30 away Willis who retired university professors lawyers doctors politicians. So for the moment. Now do you think that if something like this was to occur in some small town within the continental US whereby the president ordered something to happen and it didn't happen. What would be the reaction that there would be outrage. I can't imagine

something like this happening on the mainland in the 48 contiguous states or in Alaska and Hawaii. I just can't imagine that happening. The reluctance of our political leaders today to insist on some explanation. It's also curious. Puzzling and disappointing. They it's our elected leaders that have to step forth and demand some sort of explanation which they haven't done and I'm sure the Interior Department today is grateful that they haven't heard any outburst from Guam except on the part of some individuals. But there's been no protest or. Required explanation from our elected leaders and that's just a shame I think. We have the talent and the understanding of all this. So is he the will or tool to really understand what's involved. Passion and nationalistic feeling

like people are being treated less than this. This seems to be of course a study raises many questions specific questions about the study itself as well as broader questions about self-determination and political status. Logically the most commonly asked question about the Guam study saga is what if anything is next. While this is certainly the central question it is also very complex and in genders other important questions that also must be addressed. Is President Ford's order still legally binding. If it is does he still want commonwealth status. If we do want Commonwealth how should we proceed. Should the Department of Interior be compelled to explain or be held responsible for their inaction in 1974. How do we know that the interior or other Federal Government departments or agencies have not treated in such a manner in the past. What prevents them from repeating this behavior in the future.

Many participants in the form pose such revelent questions will ensue. Ballon d'Or and members of the audience responded from a number of perspectives. Although he was clear about not having a specific agenda and writing the book when asked directly Mr. Willen suggested what the next steps might be. Assuming Guam has the will and motivation to take that client here were to ask me what to do about this I would say as follows First of all the elected officials ought to write a letter to the present United States reporting on this study and asking the president to investigate one whether the conclusions in the book are accurate. Advice from the Department of Interior as to why it wasn't implemented and the letter might also ask the president to reaffirm with his military establishment that there continues to be if at least as important as it was 30 years ago if not in fact more important. Secondly I would ask a group of academics or legislative researchers to look at the study in

detail decide which particular proposals in the study still would be meaningful today if they were excepted by the federal government. And thirdly I would assemble a group of Romanians from around the island including represent the true moral nation and see whether there is any consensus in that group of pursuing political status at this time in any way shape or form. Now you take those three steps. You'll have some response from the federal government and it's not a question as a delegate Underwood said of revoking the prior directive what's your point. It's not so much the prior directive but the fundamental findings made by the president regarding the importance of the national security defense of the United States. So you have a response from the president. Some effort by the Department of Interior to explain itself. You would have some study that would advise you what interim steps might be useful and feasible. And thirdly you then have to face up to the subject of

trying to find a consensus among diverse interests as to whether there is any interest at all in a series of steps to improve Graham's political status. If there's not there's not. It's as simple as that. Present that evening was Senator Jesse you hon. Shortly after the forum he sent a letter about the secret study to President Bush. Recently the senator visited the viewpoint studio. Senator I understand that you have sent a letter to President Bush about the secret Guam study. What have you asked the president to do. Well basically I asked the president to basically I gave him a copy of the book by the way and close that to the book basically and to see if there is any credence put into it. And in regards to the study I'm sure there is. But again just given the opportunity for the for the for the president to read or his staffers to read it and I asked a few questions in regards to what happened to the study and how can we move forward in regards to resurrecting what was

a executive directive at the time. We sit here now. We are a representative democracy we live with. We are America we always say we're America in Asia. We have sons and daughters brothers and sisters mothers and daughters as we speak. Whose lives are on the line. Who knows somebody might have lost their lives today as we speak. Liberal to liberate and democratize far away lands. The same brothers sisters mothers and fathers sons and daughters that are fighting. To to liberate and democratize those faraway lands. We are. In a a different definition of democracy. And liberate it. We don't have the fool advantage of American citizens. The things that were going off the faraway lands to stress and to bring to their people. We don't have that

here. We don't have the same rights and privileges as our brothers and sisters. In the Northern Marianas. As the study is said as the draft draft Commonwealth access give us. Give us at least what is equivalent to was given to our brothers and sisters in the Northern Marianas. Why give us less. Why do you think is it realistic to expect an expectation for a response from a pheasant. Well let me just say that again as I said earlier I'm writing to a I haven't the Republicans writing to a Republican administration George Bush. His strong stance of the military is a strong national defense. He knows the importance of. We have we have heard about the build up of him by my Marines. Vice President Cheney has visited. And so are we. Lot of high ranking military people look at the importance of. It. I am very optimistic. I'm

very optimistic. Again that a directive from a Republican president Gerald Ford. Would be left unanswered once brought to the forefront. To George Bush. A person of character. A person who wants to promote democracy. To the world wants to bring equality to its people on the world. I'm very optimistic that we would get a positive response. But this I mean you can ask me. You may want to ask me Well what if not. Well I don't want to I don't want to think of that at this point. I have faith in you and in George Bush. And the government that that he ministers. And I think we're going to get a positive response then. And if you have something other than that commerce they'll be a different show. But I'm optimistic that we will get some positive response. I am disappointed with a representative that there's been dead silence in this issue.

And if I have to as the senator that oversees the Commission on decolonization if I have to I would I would draft a resolution. Hopefully my colleagues will vote and pass it on the floor. Address our representatives in Washington. To conduct an oversight hearing with the Department of Interior. To force this issue. Why are we Americans. The same Americans whose brothers and sisters mothers and fathers sons and daughters. Are in Iraq. The Horn of Africa. Are fighting for those freedoms fighting to bring democracy to bring some sense off democracy to to those lands. They're fighting for their lives yet their home is not given that same democracy.

And so if I have to I will go that way and I'm not going to wait very long. I you know we owe it to to the movers of the Commonwealth act we owe it to the voters of the time that voted for it. It's our duty. Now it's kind of like the baton has been handed to me and I owe it. To our to our our our movers of the time because of the time it was right. And today it is right is more right today than it was then. And the issues that we're pushing for economic prosperity. The movers of the common draft Commonwealth at the time knew that the Commonwealth was a move towards economic prosperity. I still believe that I believe that more now than ever especially being America and Asia and be totally dependent on on the Asian economy. And so I think the economy that we will have in regards to two. To our economy and the restrictions that the federal restrictions that are bestowed upon us and if they were lifted I think I think our fans are our movers of the draft Commonwealth act

had envisioned back then that this is a way on the far economic. This is a way into economic prosperity and in concert with with the federal government working in true partnership in true partnership with with the federal government that a lot of things can be done and want could be a better place. Mr. Williams Dr. Ballon d'Or and others have been saying it since the publication of the secret study the next necessary step is for an official to ask the president to get involved. Senator John has done that the writing of the next secret study chapter is underway though many key questions remain especially regarding what the people of Guam want at one time the people voted for Commonwealth as we now know the referendum was moot because Commonwealth was already been mandated. Do we still want do we want any kind of defined political status. For now we wait to see if President Bush will address or take action on the secret study. Well we must wait for his answers and his good

awaiting many answers remain the sole responsibility of the people for these answers. We are just waiting for ourselves has a long path still to travel with the secret study and other political status concerns. Viewpoint will follow this complicated journey and the ongoing unfolding of American history. Thanks for joining us this evening. We'll see you next time on viewpoint.