The Separatis: The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands faced hurdles in its journey towards self-government due to several key reasons. Firstly, being a "strategic" trust, the United States, as the administering authority, maintained a military presence in the Northern Marianas to safeguard the islands, learning from past experiences to prevent them from falling into unfriendly hands.

Secondly, travel restrictions hindered foreign investment and limited economic growth, delaying discussions on Micronesia's political future as outlined in the United Nations agreement. The local residents had to navigate UN requirements and US military objectives before planning their political status.

Lastly, the diverse geography and cultures of Micronesia posed challenges in forming a unified government. With numerous islands, languages, and cultures, establishing a common public school system and language (English) for discussions on a shared government was complex.

Negotiating the Covenant for the Northern Mariana Islands

In 1972, discussions began to determine the political status of the Northern Mariana Islands. Led by Edward DLG. Pangelinan, the Marianas Political Status Commission worked alongside American representatives, including Ambassador Franklin Haydn Williams. After two years of negotiations, a Covenant was signed in 1975, endorsed by the local legislature and the U.S. government. Following a successful plebiscite, the Covenant was officially approved, paving the way for the establishment of a commonwealth government.