Mike D. asked:

> do you still have your original letter to the oia from a couple of weeks ago
> for that would really tell me something new as well as fill in the needed
> blanks
> as i imagine i would just redirect it to the white house at this point
> essentially unchanged
> or else covered by a brief explanatory note if necessary

Yes, I do:
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Lowell G. McManus" <mcmanus71496@...>
To: <Nikolao_Pula@...>
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 2:46 PM
Subject: Serranilla and Bajo Nuevo Banks

> Good Morning,
>
> I have been scouring the Insular Affairs web site and many other sources for
> information on the current status of the US claims to the Serranilla and Bajo
> Nuevo Banks in the Caribbean Sea. I find seemingly conflicting information on
> your site.
>
> First, I am aware that these islands were claimed under the Guano Islands Act,
> that the US is not obligated to retain possession of guano islands after the
> removal of the guano, and that other nations do have claims to them. I have
> no
> political axe to grind either way. My interest is purely academic.
>
> Your web page at http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/acquisition_process.htm
> lists these two places as acquired under the Guano Islands Act and gives
> dates.
> Nothing there indicates that they are not still claimed.
>
> At the very bottom of your page at
> http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/political_types.htm , "Disputed Island" is
> defined as "Formerly or currently considered U.S. possession by the U.S. The
> U.S., through negotiation, has disclaimed ownership of most islands in favor
> of
> another country. Two islands remain contested." One is left to assume that
> those two are Serranilla and Bajo Nuevo.
>
> However, at the bottom of you page at
> http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/disputedpage.htm , it says that remaining
> US
> claims are "None."
>
> Additionally, the CIA World Factbook has ceased to list Serranilla and Bajo
> Nuevo among the international disputes of the USA.
>
> What is the current position, if any, of the US government on the status of
> these islands? Has there been any official determination, or is it the policy
> just to ignore them? If there has been any official renunciation of the US
> claims, I would appreciate knowing when and to whom.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Lowell G. McManus
> Leesville, Louisiana, USA

_______

If you wish to inquire of the White House, you may use any of my content that
you find useful, but please rewrite in your own name. Thanks.

Lowell G. McManus
Leesville, Louisiana, USA