Mr. President, I join my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in clarifying the portrayal of the military contributions of three island nations with whom the United States has a unique political relationship referred to as free association: the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Palau. Last week an article in The Washington Post entitled "White House Notebook: Many Willing, But Few Are Able" referenced the military contributions of the Freely Associated States (FAS) in a droll and flippant manner. Regrettably, this poorly researched attempt at wit missed its mark. I want to set the record straight.

The Compact of Free Association between the United States and these strategic Pacific island nations serves our national security interests in the Pacific Region by providing the U.S. strategic denial in the region. While Title I of the Compact of Free Association recognizes that the peoples of the FSM and RMI are self-governing and retain authority over their internal affairs, it mandates consultation with the United States on any defense and security matters. In addition, FAS citizens may volunteer in the U.S. Armed Forces, and FAS citizens who reside in the U.S. under the Compact's provisions are subject to our Selective Service laws, and in the event of the return of conscription, could be drafted for military duty.

There are hundreds of FAS citizens currently serving in the United States military, including a number of soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) currently deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of our military efforts. FAS citizens have served in the U.S. military for decades, and have participated in combat in every major U.S. engagement since the Korean War. Given the small populations of the island nations, almost every citizen has a relative or friend currently serving in the United States military, including FSM President Leo Falcam, whose son is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps.

Mr. President, I have worked with FAS citizens for a number of years. I have visited these islands and have worked with my colleagues to successfully accomplish the goals of the Compact of Free Association. I applaud the patriotism of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, as well as their families, who are volunteering to defend our great nation.