Virgin Islands, Wake Island. Since 18 July 1947, the
US has administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently
entered into a new political relationship with three of the four political
units. The Northern Mariana Islands is a Commonwealth associated with the US
(effective 3 November 1986). Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with
the US that was approved by the US Congress but to date the Compact process has
not been completed in Palau, which continues to be administered by the US as the
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The Federated States of Micronesia
signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986).
The Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with
the US (effective 21 October 1986).

Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative
acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of an upper house or
Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government--President George BUSH
(since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since
20 January 1989)

Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Lee Atwater,
national committee chairman and Jeanie Austin, co-chairman;
Democratic Party, Ronald H. Brown, national committee chairman;
several other groups or parties of minor political significance

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Elections:
President--last held 8 November 1988
(next to be held 3 November 1992);
results--George Bush (Republican Party) 53.37%,
Michael Dukakis (Democratic Party) 45.67%, others 0.96%;

Senate--last held 8 November 1988
(next to be held 6 November 1990);
results--Democratic Party 52.1%, Republican Party 46.2%, others 1.7%;
seats--(100 total) Democratic Party 55, Republican Party 45;

House of Representatives--last held 8 November 1988
(next to be held 6 November 1990);
results--Democratic Party 53.2%, Republican Party 45.3%, others 1.5%;
seats--(435 total) Democratic Party 259, Republican Party 174, vacant 2

Communists: Communist Party (claimed 15,000-20,000 members), Gus Hall,
general secretary; Socialist Workers Party (claimed 1,800 members), Jack Barnes,
national secretary

Member of: ADB, ANZUS, CCC, Colom