American Samoa convenes constitutional convention

(AP) – Jun 21, 2010

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — American Samoa is convening a constitutional convention to consider changes to its fundamental laws.
More than 100 delegates on Monday launched the convention, the first in the U.S. territory in 26 years.
Several proposals would grant American Samoa more autonomy from U.S. oversight. The U.S. secretary of the interior would lose the power to override vetoes and to review, overturn or intervene in appeals of decisions by the High Court of American Samoa.
The interior secretary also would lose authority to appoint the chief justice and the associate justice. They would instead be appointed by the territorial governor and confirmed by the Legislature.
Constitutional changes would go to a vote in November and eventually need to be approved by U.S. Congress.

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