The Freely Associated States and the United States 2004-2005: Holding Firm

In assessing the reactions of states in Oceania to U.S. security policy, focus is most often placed on the South Pacific. Even there, the island states are generally ignored as Australia and New Zealand dominate the discussions. This overlooks the contribution of the island states, especially the Freely Associated States FAS, also referred to as the Compact States of the North Pacific. The Federated States of Micronesia FSM, Republic of the Marshall Islands RMI, and the Republic of Palau have all too often had their contribution to the U.S. global security architecture minimized, ignored, and even ridiculed. In one notable recent instance, the announcement that Palau had joined the Coalition Of The Willing in the war on Iraq was greeted with derision in the popular media, which questioned whether Palau could contribute anything more than coconuts, in at least one instance. Such portrayals underscore the lack of understanding in most of the mainstream media of the history and culture of these island states, as well as the importance of the relationship between the FAS and the United States. The two sides are bound by a Compact of Free Association, which grants the United States certain defense-related prerogatives in exchange for guaranteed U.S. financial assistance. Unfortunately, even in 2004, after 15 years of the Compact relationship and the preceding 40 or so years in a trust relationship, many in the United States still have a shallow understanding and appreciation of the FAS. In terms of defense, the U.S. has no stronger legal obligation than it has with the FAS. Title Three, Article 1 of each Compact of Free Association establishes the U.S. obligation to defend the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia and their peoples from attack or threats thereof as the United States and its citizens are defended emphasis added.