The US and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) are nearing a deal that would give more economic aid to the Pacific nation in exchange for more US military access to the islands, FSM President David Panuelo said on Friday.
The deal will be an extension of an agreement the US has with several Pacific island nations, known as the Compact of Free Association. Under these deals, the Pacific countries are treated similarly to US territories. They receive economic assistance from the US and fall under the protection of the US military in exchange for allowing US forces to operate in the countries.
The US is also allowed to deny other foreign militaries access to the Pacific Island nations. Extending the agreements and other US military expansion planned for the region is viewed in Washington as vital to US plans to confront China.
FSM President David Panuelo said negotiations with the US are almost done, and under the new deal, his country will receive $140 million in annual grants from the US, an increase of $50 million from current levels. He said residents should expect an increase in US military activity over the next few years.
“These exercises will be increasing in frequency over the next several years, and while they are ultimately in our national interest and in the interest of our nation’s security — of which the US is our indisputable guardian — it is important that our citizens know about them well in advance so that our people do not see these activities and then immediately fear the worst,” Panuelo said in an address to his nation on Friday.
He said it would be important to inform people when “US fighter jets fly over the State of Yap, for example, or when the US practice firing anti-aircraft missiles from the ground,”
The US is also nearing deals with the Marshall Islands and Palau on extending their Compact of Free Association agreements. The Associated Press reported Saturday that the US has already signed memorandums of understanding with the Marshall Islands and Palau and that a final deal is expected to be signed by the spring.
Why do we have to station troops at every random corner on the planet?
because they have to have something to do
Is the MIC going to go into overdrive cause it certainly looks like it. (?)
We seem like we want to engage both Russia and China in military conflict, which of course would be nuclear. “So long, it’s been good to know you, so long it’s been good to know you”………………………………..
Maybe the world will turn into Planet of The Apes?…………………………
I’d just like to say, I’ve mostly enjoyed my time, here on planet earth……………………………………………………………………………………………
“FSM President David Panuelo said negotiations with the US are almost done, and under the new deal, his country will receive $140 million in annual grants from the US, an increase of $50 million from current levels.”
Why not? It’s not like we could use those “grants” right here in the states.
The people in Micronesia, Palau & the Marshall Islands should make their protests loud & clear & protest outside the government buildings & US Bases.
We are acting like it is all just a big game of Risk.
So sad to see Zoolander in desperate mode trying to hold on to the South Pacific.
That is what imperialists have always done.