HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	26
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF RENEGOTIATING THE COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA AND POSSIBLE SECESSION OF THE ISLAND OF CHUUK AND ENTRY OF A CHINESE MILITARY BASE IN THE REGION.

WHEREAS, the United States has a special relationship with the Federated States of Micronesia which is codified in The Compact of Free Association between the nations. Notably, this agreement grants the United States control over the foreign affairs and defense of the nation and the option to foreclose access to or use of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia by military personnel or for the military purposes of any third country; and

WHEREAS, the United States has a vested interest and historic precedence for renegotiating the relationship between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, especially in view of the independence movement by the Island of Chuuk and the possible breakup of the Federated States of Micronesia; and

WHEREAS, if the quest for independence drives the island of Chuuk to secede from the Federated States of Micronesia via a plebiscite scheduled for March 2020, it will no longer be bound to The Compact of Free Association. This succession may have far ranging negative effects, especially given the recent overtures from China to assist Chuuk in building its infrastructure, and the possibility of building a military base on the island. These negative effects have been outlined by United States Ambassador Robert Riley with succession having the potential to negatively impact the United States' strategic posture in the Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, Chuuk has a history of being exploited for military purposes. For example, the Japanese used its deep-water lagoon as a base for their combined fleet in World War II. With this in mind, and considering China's overt and aggressive expansion in the South China Sea and the Pacific region, the United States Department of State and Department of Interior should enter re-negotiations concerning the continuation of The Compact of Free Association and accompanying transfer payments; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, urges the United States Department of State and Department of Interior to begin renegotiations concerning the Compact of Free Associations agreement with a view of ensuring Chuuk remains in the Federated States of Micronesia; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that special care and consideration be taken regarding the concerns and grievances of the representatives of Chuuk as well as the other Federated States members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the United States Department of State, the United States Department of Interior, and to the members of the Congress of the United States.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Urging Recognition of the Federated States of Micronesia.