“Passionately detailed ... credible, historically accurate and relevant” —Pacific Affairs 76 (2003)

“A well-crafted, very readable presentation of the issues involved in the political status choice.” —Francis X. Hezel, S.J.

“This absorbing book is an invaluable addition to the historical record” —The Contemporary Pacific 15 (2003) (download full review)

In 1975, after three centuries of colonial rule, the people of the Northern Marianas exercised their right of self-determination to become U.S. citizens in a self-governing commonwealth under U.S. sovereignty. An Honorable Accord is the remarkable account of their tenacious efforts to shape a political future separate from other Micronesian peoples, of the negotiations that produced the Covenant defining the commonwealth relationship, and its eventual approval by the Northern Marianas people and the U.S. Congress.

Howard P. Willens was retained by the Northern Marianas people in 1972 to represent them in negotiations with the United States regarding the terms under which they became U.S. citizens and a commonwealth under U.S. sovereignty. He served as lead counsel to the First Marianas Constitutional Convention (1976) and the Third Marianas Constitutional Convention (1995–1996). He continues to represent the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on status-related issues. Deanne C. Siemer served as counsel to the First Marianas Constitutional Convention and as co-lead counsel to the Third Marianas Constitutional Convention. She currently serves as a managing director of Wilsie Co. LLC, a Washington-based consulting firm.