Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit February 21, 1990, 88-15494 (Larry L. Hillblom Jose Lifoifoi v. United States of America Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)

REINHARDT, Circuit Judge:

The relationship between the United States and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (“CNMI”) is governed by the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States (“the Covenant”). Pursuant to section 103 of the Covenant, the people of the Commonwealth have the right of local self-government.