US Ambassador Robert Riley says the US would not give an independent Chuuk its own compact; Haglelgam publicly opposes independence.

What happened

Chuuk’s status commission had recommended independence with its own Compact with the US. Riley said independence would end the Compact for Chuuk and that the US would not negotiate a similar deal, listing benefits Chuuk would lose, including US-funded programmes, defense and free movement to the US. Chuuk Senator Matt Kuor asked: “But could they just let us go when things are heating up with China?”