The comparison with New Caledonia is instructive . France acknowledges that it has colonies ( overseas territories or collectivities ). The U . S . denies that it has colonies . Instead , it has “ unincorporated territories .”
Insights
6
A tale of two territories
The current crisis in New Caledonia over the next step for self-determination does not seem to connect to Guahan ’ s quest for indigenous self-determination . Let ’ s attempt to draw some comparisons .
Currently , France manages the territory as an “ overseas territory .” A recently approved voting reform in Paris will authorize Europeans who have been residents for at least 10 years to vote in future elections . This has sparked outrage in the Kanak indigenous community . It is clearly a blow to the principle of indigenous self-determination and further dilutes the indigenous management of their homeland .
The crisis brought French President Macron to New Caledonia to engage in conversations . He has announced that this “ voting reform ” will not be implemented by force . This followed a week of rioting in which six people have died and hundreds have been injured . The French president ’ s personal attention also brought renewed efforts to establish a strong police presence .
Given the upcoming Olympics in Paris , there is an opportunity to draw attention to this issue on an international basis . Maybe there can be a “ decolonization ” run for the indigenous people of the Pacific .
In Guahan , Attorney General Douglas Moylan has clearly stated his opposition to the principle of CHamoru self-determination . He issued a legal opinion in response to Gov . Lou Leon Guerrero ’ s request . Almost all political leaders in Guahan proclaim their support for this path to self-determination , but it remains entirely unclear how this will be achieved given the Ninth Circuit Court ’ s
decision in the Davis v . Guam case . Any election held in Guam must be open to all residents who have lived in a single location for at least 30 days . Ten years in New Caledonia , but one month in Guahan will do the trick .
Moylan said the road to a locally authorized plebiscite is closed and that other ways could be explored . The attorney general could have ended his official opinion on that note . But he chose to criticize previous efforts to pursue this as wasteful .
Moreover , he attacked “ prideful independence ,” which he said hurts us economically . He argued that we “ must recognize the stark realities that have brought us to our current Western standard of living , for which we are accustomed .” I guess these stark realities must include acceptance of everything that Washington D . C . dishes out .
Had this statement been
By Robert A Underwood made by any federal official about Guahan , the charge of colonialism would have been resounding . On Guahan , the colonizer has many allies who have been here on island for more than 30 days . Some were even born here . There is no need for federal officials to opine on this matter . No riots have occurred in Guahan , but five years ago , a powerful demonstration was held for CHamoru self-determination . It was the largest street action in recent history .
Perhaps what we need now is for some general agreement with Moylan ’ s opinion to be made by federal officials in the Biden administration or in the U . S . Congress . This may spark some unrest . Unfortunately , we won ’ t hear that kind of clarity from any federal official . Ironically , we may get a statement of support for the attorney general from his
The comparison with New Caledonia is instructive . France acknowledges that it has colonies ( overseas territories or collectivities ). The U . S . denies that it has colonies . Instead , it has “ unincorporated territories .”
relative , Del . James Moylan .
The comparison with New Caledonia is instructive . France acknowledges that it has colonies ( overseas territories or collectivities ) and routinely passes legislation to alter the status and governing structure of these areas . Both New Caledonia and Tahiti ( French Polynesia ) enjoy significant levels of autonomy beyond what Guahan or any U . S . territory has . They are also members of the Pacific Islands Forum .
Conversely , the U . S . denies that it has colonies . Instead , it has “ unincorporated territories ” based on Supreme Court rulings ( Insular Cases ) from the early 1900s . Congress rarely passes legislation on Guahan ’ s autonomy or political status , citing constitutional limitations . Any proposal is summarily dealt with by referring to the Insular Cases .
Guahan never gets visited by any U . S . president since Bill Clinton came to the island in 1998 and actually landed in the civilian airport . Barack Obama made a pit stop at Andersen Air Force Base in 2010 , and Donald Trump did the same in 2018 . These are the famous “ gas and go ” stops . Guahan is not just home to serious military facilities , it is a great gas station for those traveling across the Pacific . I hope it won ’ t take a week of rioting or deaths or injuries to command presidential attention .
It is tempting to argue that New Caledonia and Guahan are widely different societies with different histories . They are governed by different colonial powers with differing legal systems . To expect that the same level of analysis would be applied to both would be to
The opinions expressed here are solely the author ' s and do not reflect the editorial position of the Pacific Island Times .
discount this history . All of this may be true . But that seems to argue that the original colonization process should be continued because of the very colonial history both islands have endured .
Furthermore , isn ’ t it also true that the principle of self-determination and the process of decolonization are supposed to be subjected to the clear eye of international law ? What do we mean when we tout self-determination ? What is the meaning of “ free and open Pacific ” as articulated by the United States in its emerging Indo-Pacific strategy ? Does free and open only apply to non-U . S . territories ?
The United States and France became colonial powers as a result of their activities during the 19th century . To some extent , we conceded that the United States and France were “ Pacific ” nations in the 20th century as a result of world wars and the world movement toward decolonization .
In the 21st century , the island Pacific has reached a new level of self-awareness and regional identity . Are we still including these two colonial powers as Pacific nations without any responsibilities to redress the original colonization and respect the original people ?
If we are not willing to engage in that basic issue , we might as well return to the really good old days when power was exercised without polite speech or visits by various presidents .
Dr . Robert Underwood is the former president of the University of Guam and former member of the U . S . House of Representatives . Send feedback to anacletus2010 @ gmail . com .