Governor Arnold I. Palacios announced that U.S. President Donald Trump has responded to his request to continue the consultations pursuant to Section 902 of the Covenant between the CNMI and the U.S. Federal Government.

In a letter received this week from President Trump he named Scott J. Cameron, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, as his representative to the consultations. 

“In response to the request from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and pursuant to section 902 of the Covenant to Establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States, I am pleased to inform you that I have designated Scott J. Cameron, Senior Advisor to the Secretary exercising the delegated authorities of the Assistant Secretary of the Interior (Insular and International Affairs), as my special representative for purposes of continuing the consultations that take place between the CNMI and the Federal Government,” President Trump said in his letter.

“I trust that this section 902 consultation will be a vehicle for addressing the critical issues raised by the CNMI,” President Trump added.

“On behalf of the people of the CNMI, I extend my utmost gratitude to President Trump for his timely and favorable response to the CNMI’s request,” Governor Palacios said.

Governor Palacios also emphasized that, as in all interactions with the federal government, the CNMI will work with its federal counterparts with a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, and most importantly, with a dedicated focus on advancing the standards of living for all CNMI residents.

Palacios added that the aim of the 902 consultations, which began late last year, have been focused on three priority areas: 1) financial assistance initiatives that are discussed in Article 7 of the Covenant; 2) tourism and transportation issues; and, 3) access to skilled labor in the CNMI. 

The Covenant outlines the rights, obligations, and relationship between the CNMI and the United States and established the CNMI as a self-governing Commonwealth of the United States. The agreement granted U.S. citizenship and applied certain federal laws with specific exemptions.