The American Samoa Government will tell the United Nations this month the territory wants to have a serious discussion about its future political status.
American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga. Photo: RNZI Monica Miller
A draft statement by Governor Lolo Moliga to be presented to the UN Committee on Decolonisation says American Samoa's position as an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States is not sustainable nor economically secure.
Lolo says there are significant shortfalls in American Samoa's form of government.
He points to the limits on the legislature's veto override and its inability to change the territory's constitution without the approval of the US Congress, despite Congress having not approved that constitution to begin with.
And Lolo says the Secretary of the Interior still appoints the senior members of the judiciary.
The governor also talks of American Samoa being exposed to the "bullying tactics of federal agencies".