Alaska Independence Movement

An Interview submitted by Lynette Clark, Chairman, Alaskan Independence Party

1. What can you tell us about any new strategies or ideas developed at the recent Alaska Independence Party convention?

Yes, AIP members voted to support taking the Statehood case their founder, Joe Vogler, had prepared, and present same, to the United Nations for full International review.

2. Is there any progress on organizing a vote about secession?

At this point, some progress. The AIP leadership realizes more education of Alaska's population regarding this slice of Alaskan History is necessary and have committed to that effort. When the vote occurs, an informed public is necessary.

3. I doubt very many US citizens know the particulars regarding what happened when Alaska was made a state. Would you tell the readers how Alaskans were denied a vote on secession in the past? It says on your website: "voting was corrupt and residents were not given the proper choice between statehood, commonwealth status, or complete separation - something they say has been granted to other U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico."

The rights of Alaskans, as the residents of a Non-Self Governing Territory, were protected by many UN General Assembly Resolutions. The U.S Government was under obligation to assure that "the right of people and nations to Self-Determination is exercised." People of Alaska were never given a chance to exercise their right to cast the most important vote in their life. Native Alaskans were not allowed to vote because most of them could not read or write in English, and while the rest of Alaskan population was trying to make a sense of what was happening to them, the U.S. Government encouraged the 41,000 U.S. Military Personnel and 36,000 of age their dependents "to help Alaskans" and vote "yes" on statehood.

With 40,000 votes for the statehood and 8,000 votes against it is not difficult to see how this "voting was corrupt". Alaska was no different from other colonies, as Algerians did not see themselves as a part of France, or as Libyans did not see themselves as a part of Italy, most Alaskans did not see themselves as a part of U.S.A. Within the frames of International Law and established political practices of that time it would be natural for Alaskans to vote for Independence and not remain "a colonial warehouse of natural resources to fuel the factories of the United States."

4. How you do think the recent declaration of the Lakota Nation by the Lakota tribe might affect your plan to be placed on the list of "non-self governing territories"?

While the colonies in South America, Asia and Africa attained their freedom, people and tribes in North America are still struggling for Independence. But times are changing and people who had suffered the injustice by the North American colonial masters are making their voice heard. Considering the past American history we do not expect a quick and easy solution coming from Washington DC, and this is why we are prepared to use non-violent means to achieve our goals - to request an International Inquiry as to the illegal "statehood vote" of August 26, 1958 and a free vote for Alaskans to determine their own future.

5. Can you explain exactly what is a non-self governing territory and how this will lead to independence?

The colonized territories previously claimed by UN Signatory Nations and lately being supervised by UN Member-State, had been given a legal status as Trusts or as Non–Self-Governing Territories. Since native population did not have the necessary political and administrative institutions in place to govern the land, the colonizing powers or trusties had to provide the services to local population. In due time, as the local population progresses itself into a functional society, demonstrating ability of self-governance, the Trusties were obligated to assure the people would decide on their own form of government. AIP would expect, and United Nation rules mandate, the U.S. Government to facilitate the vote as:

1) Remain a Territory.
2) Become a separate and Independent Nation.
3) Accept Commonwealth status.
4) Become a State
The U.S. Government did not act in good faith and thus steered the whole process in one direction only – to retain Alaska as a part of the Union.

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