Northern Marianas over a period of twenty years, to
negotiate a separate agreement. In December 1972 the
United States-Northern Marianas status talks got underway
and culminated with the signing of the Marianas "Covenant"
on February 15, 1975. When the Trusteeship Agreement is
terminated, the Northern Marianas will officially become a
territory of the United States and its residents will
automatically acquire U.S. citizenship.

With the separation of the Northern Marianas, the Congress
of Micronesia was dissolved and the remainder of the Trust
Territory is now divided into three separate entities the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and
the Federated States of Micronesia.

WHAT IS FREE ASSOCIATION?
A. Free Association, in the context of the American
experience, is the relationship with the United States
entered into by the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the
Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia
following their rejection of an offer to be annexed as a
commonwealth (unincorporated territory) of the United
States as happened with the Northern Marianas.

Under the compact of Free Association, the Micronesian
entities are free to adopt their own constitutions without the
need for approval by the U.S. Congress. The United States
provides a certain level of financial assistance and
assumes responsibility for defense needs for a period of
fifteen years, which may be further extended by mutual
agreement. The Micronesians may unilaterally terminate
the Compacts, but the sections dealing with defense
matters would continue to be effective for the full fifteen-year
term. The Compacts also provide that the military forces of
third countries will be barred from Micronesian territory in
perpetuity.

The three Micronesian entities exercise full control over
their domestic and foreign affairs, except that in exercising
their foreign relations powers, if United States interests are
endangered in any way, the United States, after going
through elaborate consultation processes, can veto any
Micronesian foreign policy initiative. The Micronesians will
not acquire United States citizenship; nor do they desire
such citizenship.