Senate Panel Probes Use of Federal Funds THERE Exists a Strong Possibil Asking at the Resumption of Hear Own Business
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Micronesia’s Leading Newspaper Since 1972 . ©1993 Marianas Variety · Friday ■ OCtODGf 22, 1 9 9 3 Serving CNMI for20 Years , Leaseback negotiators see flexib ility By Rafael H. Arroyo tions for a partial leaseback of by Commander Brian D. tative Sid Sablan, Fred Dela Cruz discussion has been technically Tinian military retention land re Robertson of the Force Judge representing Tinian Municipal complex. I think we’re getting to REPRESENTATIVES of the US sumed yesterday at the governor’s Advocate COMNAVMAR. The Council, Dr. Wyttenbach Santos, a p>oint where we are now focused Commander of Naval Forces office irTCapitol Hill attended by negotiating team was composed Assistant Attorney General Tom on some of the real challenging Marianas (COMNAVMAR) yes both the CNMI and the US mili of Lt. Commander Rick Jordan, Sheldon.and lawyer Douglas issues,” said Robertson. terday agreed to liberalize the use tary. political affairs officer Cushnie, representing Asked what their orders from of the proposed Tinian leaseback According to Tim Bruce, Gov COMNAVMAR; Commander Micronesian Development Corp. Rear Admiral Edward K. area for commercial development ernor Larry I. Guerrero’s repre John Moran and Defense Depart “We’re making tremendous Kristensen were, Robertson re- but are asking that the “exclusive sentative to the Tinian leaseback ment civilian employee Peter progress despite the fact that the coritinued on page 21 military use area” be increased negotiations, the proposal to in Toves. by some 3,700 acres. crease the exclusive military use The CNMI panel included This was learned as negotia area was tossed in by the team led Bruce, Lt. Governor’s represen- Senate panel probes use of federal funds THERE exists a strong possibil asking at the resumption of hear own business. ity that certain federal funds given ings Tuesday on Tinian. We will Apart from such a teaser, he to the CNMI through grants and be focused on how government refused to divulge details, pend programs over the last few years used or did not use the monies,” ing compilation of a hearing re may have not been spent properly said Cing in an interview the other port. or not according to their intended day. But during Wednesday’s inter use, Tinian Senator David M. Cing During the initial hearing day view, Cing lamented that the is said Wednesday. October 12th alsoon Tinian, Cing land of Tinian has been deprived Cing, who is chairman of the said he invited representatives of possible funds from the Eco Senate Committee on Federal from the Office of the Tinian nomic Development Administra Relations and Independent Agen Mayor, the Department of Fi tion over the last several years. David M. Cing cies, made the statement days af nance, Planning and Budgeting “Since 1981, when the NMI ter his committee embarked on an Office, Commonwealth Utilities started to get funding help from oversight inquiry on how federal Corp., Commonwealth Develop EDA, considerable financial as assistance funds have been used ment Authority'and the federal sistance was extended to Saipan Mana-ay sentenced by the CNMI government. programs coordinator to partici and Rota. Yet, Tinian has so far “Based on the documents we pate. not gotten any from the federal for drug possession Although he refused to delve agency,” said the senator. have received, I believe there is a ONE OF the six men arrested in filed an amended information, lot of discrepancies and misuse of into the specifics of his initial He said Tinian was not able to July this year in a buy-bust drug charging Mana-ay in Count I with findings, he said he is of the im apply for those grants because federal funds. I want to turn this operation, last Tuesday pleaded conspiracy to deliver a controlled observation of mine into ques pression some people may have island leaders may have not been “nolo contendere” to the charge substance, in violation of 6 CMC tions which the committee will be used federal money to start their continued on page 21 of possession of a controlled sub §§303(a)and2141 (a)(1); in count stance as part of a plea agreement II with delivery of a controlled reached between his lawyer and substance, in violation of 6 CMC government prosecutors. § 2141 (aX 1); and incount III with Consumer Counsel goes Angelito M. Mana-ay, repre possession of a controlled sub sented by lawyer Reynaldo Yana, stance (mcthampcihaminc), in opted not to contend the charge of violation of 6 CMC §2142(a). after 'charitable endeavor’ illegal drug possession so that two If found guil ty of these offenses, other drug-related charges against Mana-ay could have faced a maxi By Rafael H. Arroyo about the activities of VLS. himcould be dismissed with preju mum jail sentence of 25 years “We have been in receipt of dice. imprisonment and a maximum THE SUPERIOR Court last Tues complaints from prospective cor He was sentenced to five years fine of S22,000. day enforced an investigative de porate sponsors that have been in prison, all of which were sus But pursuant to plea negotia mand sought by the Attorney approached by VLS. We thus ini pended except 18 months. tions between the government and General’s Consumer Counsel to tiated our own investigation to This means he would have to be Yana, the defendant pled “nolo prevent a non-profit charitable ensure that the public is not mis incarcerated for one and a half contendere” to count II, charging organization from engaging in led into donating money into non- years after which he shall be sub him with Just illegal possession. fundraising activities unless it existent programs,” said Ject to deportation from the CNMI. “Nolo contendere” is the term provides proof that its earnings Mesenbourg in an interview yes Mana-ay was one of the seven given to an admission of guilt but mH-ed go to charitable purposes. terday. Filipino nationals who fell in a leaving open the possibility of the A five-page order was signed The court order specifically in government buy-bust operation defendant to deny the alleged facts by Superior Court Presiding Judge structed VLS, its officers, em in July 26. His group was arrested in other proceedings. Alex Castro suspending the cor ployees and agents to refrain from: after an undercover government Under 6 CMC § 2142(b), ille porate charter of Virginia Lovely engaging in the advertising and Virginia Lovely Sanvictore informant was able to buy S3,000 gal drug possession carries a maxi Sanvictores (VLS) dba Eyeglass sale of any services, real or per performance; and engaging in the worth of crystal methamphct- mum sentence of five years not Bank Foundation, unless it ac sonal property or merchandise; advertising or sale of any tickets, amine (“ice”) from one of the subject to suspension, parole or counts where the money it raises inducing the public or any corpo merchandise or the conduct of suspects. probation, and a fine of S2.000. indeed go. rate sponsors from entering into any trade or commerce or the pro Mana-ay, in July 27, was In return for his plea of nolo The CNMI government, any obligation relating to any pro motion of any proposed perfor charged with conspiracy to de contendere, the government through Consumer Counsel Jerry motions sponsored by VLS: mak mances', services. liver a controlled substance, de agreed that defendant shall be sen Mesenbourg earlier filed a mo ing or disseminating in any news The foundation has had at least livery of a controlled substance tenced to five years imprisonment tion for an order enforcing the paper or publication or advertis two successful projects entitled and possession of a controlled with all but 18 years suspended. investigative demand with the ing device, any statement con “For Your Eyes Only” and “You substance. He shall be eligible for parole on hope of gathering information cerning concerning any proposed continued on page 20 On August 10, the government continued orr page 21 C s 2-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY-OCTOBER 22,1993 World again on wrong track, say specialists By CHARLES J. HANLEY “If you’re aiming to get out of Washington. Instead, Crigler and others say, you’ve got to work on rebuilding the Somalia with a single government, A former U.S. ambassador to outsiders should help rebuild not a social and political· machinery at Some people who know Somalia a national government in control of Somalia agrees. “nation,” but the old regional sys ground level you’vegot toget the dd best have a little advice for the rest the country, you could stay for “Unfortunately, the U.N. ap tem of clan rule, via largely autono system bade in place, based essen of the world: Forget about “nation- years,” warns Mohamed Sahnoun, proach is to get a national govern mous zones within Somalia. tially on clan elders,” Crigler said building” for now in that sorrowful a former U.N. special envoy to ment in place so we can turn over After U.S. troops were bloodied RakiyaOmaar.aSomaliwhoheads land. Lower your sights. Follow Somalia who today offers his ad reponsibility to them and get out of in a clash with Gen. Mohamed the London-ba9edhumanrighls group the ways of the nomads. vice at a congressional hearing in there,” says Frank Crigler. Farrah Aidid’s militia in Mogadishu AfbicanRights,putitthisway:“When on Oct. 3, President Clinton set a the world walks away from Somalia, deadline of next March 31 for which willhappen sooner orlaier,the Expanding tourism and CNMI pulling American forces out of only solution may be a ‘regional’ Somalia and for making progress approach.” on the “political· track,” toward The Somalis have their hands lull economy mean more air traffic settling the east African country’s with problems on the regional level, A GROWING economy will Francisco and Y.