He was referring to the Compact of Free Association, a treaty with the United States. The level of financial assistance set by the compact expires in 2001. Yap legislators and residents worry that with the Cold War over and the strategic significance of the region no longer of paramount value, the United States will be reluctant to extend the agreement. Vincent Figir, governor of Yap, wants to push his constituents toward greater self-sufficiency and autonomy. We have to assume that by 2001 Yap should be able to live on its own.
Independence means a lot.
We are trying to expand our private sector. But it's very hard. Yap has been hit harder by the dry period than any of its neighbors has. The Yapese have become dependent on government jobs and salaries that have grown from U.S. financial involvement. But with the ammount of that involvment in question, the people in Yap state are concerned.