Latest news with #CompactofFreeAssociation
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
City launches funeral assistance program for COFA families
The City and County of Honolulu on Tuesday launched a program to help the Micronesian community with funeral expenses due to COVID-19. The 'Ohana Memorial Support : COVID-19 COFA Funeral Assistance Program will provide $1.5 million in direct reimbursements of burial expenses to Compact of Free Association citizens living on Oahu. Under the Compacts of Free Association agreement, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau are allowed to live and work in the U.S. without visa requirements after military use of their lands in the Pacific. City officials said COFA migrants bore a disproportionate share of COVID-related deaths, but were excluded from receiving federal funeral assistance due to their citizenship status. 'This program is about doing right by the families who lost a loved one to COVID-19 and were unjustly excluded from federal assistance, ' said Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a news release. 'While no amount of funding can ever replace the lives lost, we hope this support demonstrates our deep commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our community.' COFA residents were at higher risk of contracting COVID because many work in essential jobs, such as the service industry, with increased exposure to the virus. Many also suffer from underlying health conditions, lack of access to health care, and live in poverty and in multigenerational households, where it is more difficult to self-isolate. Before vaccines were available, Pacific Islanders, which include COFA migrant groups, represented 4 % of the population, but 25 % of COVID cases, according to data from the Hawaii Department of Health. Of all ethnic groups, Pacific islanders in Hawaii also experienced the highest per capita mortality rate. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program up to $9, 000 to cover the costs for someone who died of COVID-19. COFA citizens, however, were not eligible to apply for the FEMA funds. Honolulu City Council member Esther Kia 'aina said she was heartened to see the city implementing the COVID death benefits program for the Micronesian community. 'As a matter of equity, I was pleased to advocate for this program during our, ' said Kia 'aina in the news release. 'It is only fair that they enjoy the same federal death benefits received by other residents impacted by the pandemic.' The Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization is administering the program through a contract with, a nonprofit charity organization founded by a group of Micronesians. The group will reimburse burial expenses of up to $9, 000 for each household member who died due to COVID-19. Reimbursements for households that experienced multiple deaths in one family are capped at $35, 500 per application. To be eligible, applicants must prove a relationship to the deceased family member through official documents. The deceased family member must have resided on Oahu, with their death attributed to COVID-19 between Jan. 20, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2024. The funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available at. Community outreach
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: Who gets COVID-19 funeral aid?
Question : The city is paying for funerals of Micronesian people killed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Were /are other people eligible for this ? Answer : Yes, but through a federal program that excludes Compact of Free Association migrants living in the United States—the U.S. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program is open only to U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals or qualified noncitizens, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA says it disbursed a total of about $4.2 million among 724 Hawaii applicants as of Feb. 1, reimbursing funeral expenses of family members who died of COVID-19 on or after Jan. 20, 2020. FEMA will continue to award payments to eligible survivors until Sept. 30 ; the maximum payment is $9, 000 per deceased individual, according to the FEMA website. Read more at. By contrast, the 'Ohana Memorial Support : COVID-19 COFA Funeral Assistance Program, which the city announced this week, has budgeted $1.5 million to help reimburse funeral expenses of Oahu residents from COFA nations who died of COVID-19 from Jan. 20, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2024, according to a news release from Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization. 'This program addresses the significant challenges COFA migrants faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite bearing a disproportionate share of COVID-19-related deaths, COFA households were excluded from receiving federal funeral assistance due to their citizenship status, ' the news release said. According to the state Department of Health, Pacific Islanders account for 4 % of Hawaii's population, but 12 % of COVID-19 deaths. Like the federal program, the city program for COFA families will reimburse funeral expenses of up to $9, 000 for each eligible person, although the total will be capped at $35, 500 for households that lost multiple members to COVID-19. The deceased family member must have lived on Oahu and held COFA citizenship (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands or Republic of Palau ). We Are Oceania ( ), the 501 (c )3 charitable group administering the city's program, is conducting community outreach online and in person to ensure that eligible COFA citizens are aware of the funding, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the application process, required documents and what expenses can be reimbursed, go to. For questions not answered on the website, prospective applicants can follow up with WAO by phone (808-754-7303 ) or email (contact @ ), the news release said. Q : Regarding the zoo concerts, the botanical gardens also have musical events in the summer. A : Yes, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation's free Twilight Summer Concert Series begins today at 5 :30 p.m. with jazz at Foster Botanical Garden, continues Friday at 5 p.m. with reggae at Wahiawa Botanical Garden and proceeds through July with a variety of music at Foster, Wahiawa and Ho 'omaluhia botanical gardens. 'From blues to bagpipes, island jams to jazz, there is sure to be a musical performance to your liking, ' DPR said in a news release. For the full schedule and other details, go to. As for the zoo, Kokua Line mentioned Tuesday that this summer's Wildest Show In Town live music series is set to kick off June 11, followed by five more Wednesday evening concerts through July 23, all on the great lawn of the Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki. See details, including how to buy tickets, at. This series raises money for the zoo.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carney swears in Cabinet, signals shift with new names and positions
-- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney formally introduced his new cabinet on Tuesday, swearing in 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state in a ceremony at Rideau Hall. The reshaped team includes 24 new ministers, 13 of whom are first-time members of Parliament, marking a significant generational and strategic shift for the new government. Carney used the opportunity to signal policy priorities by renaming several key positions. Notably, Dominic LeBlanc will serve as President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, and One Canadian Economy, effectively making him a lead figure in negotiations with the United States and in advancing the government's domestic economic strategy. The Prime Minister also created new roles to reflect pressing national challenges. Alberta MP Eleanor Olszewski becomes the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, while Toronto MP Evan Solomon has been appointed Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation. Both portfolios are new and reflect the government's priorities in climate adaptation and digital transformation. Several appointments further highlight evolving policy directions. Rebecca Chartrand will lead the Northern and Arctic Affairs file in response to economic and sovereignty pressures in the Far North. Julie Dabrusin becomes Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Tim Hodgson, a former Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) banker and senior advisor to the Bank of Canada, steps into a decisive role as Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. Hodgson is expected to play a key role in aligning Canada's natural resources policy with its energy transition agenda. The reshuffle also brought significant turnover, as 11 members from Carney's transitional cabinet have been dropped. These include former Defence Minister Bill Blair, Treasury Board President Ginette Petitpas Taylor, and Environment Minister Terry Duguid. Others leaving cabinet include former housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith, agriculture minister Kody Blois, and natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson. Carney's team blends experienced hands with new voices in a cabinet that highlights priorities including housing, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and economic unity... a combination that reflects what the Prime Minister has framed as a transformative agenda for Canada. The government is expected to lay out its full legislative and policy plan in a Speech from the Throne on May 27, to be delivered by King Charles III. Parliament will resume the day prior, on May 26. Related articles Carney swears in Cabinet, signals shift with new names and positions U.S. may propose Compact of Free Association deal to Greenland Carney confirms formal trade talks with U.S.
Yomiuri Shimbun
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
US Weighs Special Status for Greenland as Quest for Island Intensifies
Reuters file photo A view shows the city of Nuuk, Greenland, March 28, 2025. WASHINGTON, May 9 (Reuters) – U.S. officials are discussing a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence using a type of agreement that the United States has used to keep close ties with several Pacific Island nations, according to two U.S. officials and another person familiar with the discussions. Under the plan being considered, the Trump administration would propose to Greenland's leaders that the island enter into a so-called Compact of Free Association, or COFA, with the United States. While the precise details of COFA agreements – which have only ever been extended to the small island nations of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau – vary depending on the signatory, the U.S. government typically provides many essential services, from mail delivery to emergency management to military protection. In exchange, the U.S. military operates freely in COFA countries and trade with the U.S. is largely duty-free. President Donald Trump, who during his first administration floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, has pressed even harder since taking office in January, refusing to rule out taking the island by force. Denmark, which governs the island, has sharply rebuffed the idea. A COFA agreement would stop short of Trump's ambition to make the island of 57,000 people a part of the U.S. It is not the only Greenland plan on the table, the sources said, and it would face many practical hurdles. Reuters reported before Trump took office that some advisers had informally suggested the idea. But it has not been previously revealed that White House officials have begun talks about the logistics behind such a proposal. Some officials at the National Security Council and the National Energy Dominance Council, which Trump established, are involved in the talks, two of the sources said. The National Economic Council is also involved, one of those sources added. COFA agreements have previously been inked with independent countries, and Greenland would likely need to separate from Denmark for such a plan to proceed. While polls show Greenlanders are interested in independence, surveys also show most do not wantto be part of the U.S. A COFA – which cedes significant autonomy to Washington – could be viewed with similar skepticism. One of those involved in the discussions is Markus Thomi, the acting senior director for the National Security Council's Western Hemisphere section, according to two of the sources. David Copley, the key mining official on the NEDC, is also involved in the talks, one of those sources said. The White House did not respond to a request for comment, nor did the Danish Embassy or Greenland's representative office in Washington. The Interior Department, which plays a key role in administering COFA agreements through its Office of Insular Affairs, also did not respond. TROUBLES WITH EXISTING COFA DEALS Washington's existing COFA agreements with Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia are seen across the U.S. political spectrum as important for countering China's growing influence in the Asia Pacific. Still, such accords have hit snags in the past. Republican lawmakers have at times opposed elements of the budget allotted to fund COFA agreements, creating deep frustrations in the countries that rely on the funds. Signing a COFA also offers no guarantee that a nation will be immune from influence operations by U.S. rivals. In April, Reuters reported that Chinese nationals had successfully cultivated close ties to senior political figures in Palau, alarming U.S. officials. Danish leaders have not been approached about the COFA idea and have not had any substantive discussions with the White House about Greenland's future status, one senior European official said. Danish officials have publicly rejected the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, and insist Greenlanders must determine their future. Administration officials argue the island is crucial to the U.S. due to its deposits of minerals that have important high-tech and military applications, but which remain untapped due to labor shortages, scarce infrastructure and various other challenges. An administration official told Reuters the U.S. was helping Greenland diversify its economy and gain greater economic independence from Denmark. The Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank, both U.S. agencies, could play a role in that process, the official said. The official pointed to the Tanbreez Project, which will see rare earths extracted on the island and processed in the U.S., as a particular bright spot in relations with Greenland. New York-based Critical Metals Corp CRML.O holds a 42% stake in the project, though that stake could increase considerably as part of a complex deal due to be completed later this year. The official said a COFA 'could be an elegant way to address some of the concerns that we have when it comes to Greenland security,' but did not otherwise comment on the possibility of such an accord.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
US weighs special status for Greenland
US officials are discussing a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence using a type of agreement that the United States has used to keep close ties with several Pacific Island nations, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Under the plan being considered, the Trump administration would propose to Greenland's leaders that the island enter into a so-called Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. US President Donald Trump has demanded that his country take control of the Arctic mineral-rich island for security purposes. Greenlanders have repeatedly insisted that the island is not for sale and they don't want to become Americans. Instead, many support independence from Denmark. Between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the world's biggest island has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years. It governs its own domestic affairs but its foreign and defence policies are formulated in Copenhagen. While the precise details of COFA agreements - which have only ever been extended to the small island nations of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau - vary depending on the signatory, the US government typically provides many essential services, from mail delivery to emergency management to military protection. In exchange, the US military operates freely in COFA countries and trade with the US is largely duty-free. President Donald Trump, who during his first administration floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, has pressed even harder since taking office in January, refusing to rule out taking the island by force. Denmark and Greenland have sharply rebuffed the idea. A COFA agreement would stop short of Trump's ambition to make the island of 57,000 people a part of the US. It is not the only Greenland plan on the table, the sources said, and it would face many practical hurdles. Reuters reported before Trump took office that some advisers had informally suggested the idea. But it has not been previously revealed that White House officials have begun talks about the logistics behind such a proposal. Some officials at the National Security Council and the National Energy Dominance Council, which Trump established, are involved in the talks, two of the sources said. The National Economic Council is also involved, one of those sources added. COFA agreements have previously been inked with independent countries, and Greenland would likely need to separate from Denmark for such a plan to proceed. While polls show Greenlanders are interested in independence, surveys also show most do not want to be part of the US. A COFA - which cedes significant autonomy to Washington - could be viewed with similar scepticism. Washington's existing COFA agreements with Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia are seen across the US political spectrum as important for countering China's growing influence in the Asia Pacific. Still, such accords have hit snags in the past. Republican lawmakers have at times opposed elements of the budget allotted to fund COFA agreements, creating deep frustrations in the countries that rely on the funds. Signing a COFA also offers no guarantee that a nation will be immune from influence operations by US rivals. In April, Reuters reported that Chinese nationals had successfully cultivated close ties to senior political figures in Palau, alarming US officials. Administration officials argue the island is crucial to the US due to its deposits of minerals that have important high-tech and military applications, but which remain untapped due to labour shortages, scarce infrastructure and various other challenges. An administration official told Reuters the US was helping Greenland diversify its economy and gain greater economic independence from Denmark. The Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank, both US agencies, could play a role in that process, the official said. The official pointed to the Tanbreez Project, which will see rare earths extracted on the island and processed in the US, as a particular bright spot in relations with Greenland. New York-based Critical Metals Corp holds a 42 per cent stake in the project, though that stake could increase considerably as part of a complex deal due to be completed later this year. The official said a COFA "could be an elegant way to address some of the concerns that we have when it comes to Greenland security," but did not otherwise comment on the possibility of such an accord. US officials are discussing a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence using a type of agreement that the United States has used to keep close ties with several Pacific Island nations, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Under the plan being considered, the Trump administration would propose to Greenland's leaders that the island enter into a so-called Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. US President Donald Trump has demanded that his country take control of the Arctic mineral-rich island for security purposes. Greenlanders have repeatedly insisted that the island is not for sale and they don't want to become Americans. Instead, many support independence from Denmark. Between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the world's biggest island has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years. It governs its own domestic affairs but its foreign and defence policies are formulated in Copenhagen. While the precise details of COFA agreements - which have only ever been extended to the small island nations of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau - vary depending on the signatory, the US government typically provides many essential services, from mail delivery to emergency management to military protection. In exchange, the US military operates freely in COFA countries and trade with the US is largely duty-free. President Donald Trump, who during his first administration floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, has pressed even harder since taking office in January, refusing to rule out taking the island by force. Denmark and Greenland have sharply rebuffed the idea. A COFA agreement would stop short of Trump's ambition to make the island of 57,000 people a part of the US. It is not the only Greenland plan on the table, the sources said, and it would face many practical hurdles. Reuters reported before Trump took office that some advisers had informally suggested the idea. But it has not been previously revealed that White House officials have begun talks about the logistics behind such a proposal. Some officials at the National Security Council and the National Energy Dominance Council, which Trump established, are involved in the talks, two of the sources said. The National Economic Council is also involved, one of those sources added. COFA agreements have previously been inked with independent countries, and Greenland would likely need to separate from Denmark for such a plan to proceed. While polls show Greenlanders are interested in independence, surveys also show most do not want to be part of the US. A COFA - which cedes significant autonomy to Washington - could be viewed with similar scepticism. Washington's existing COFA agreements with Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia are seen across the US political spectrum as important for countering China's growing influence in the Asia Pacific. Still, such accords have hit snags in the past. Republican lawmakers have at times opposed elements of the budget allotted to fund COFA agreements, creating deep frustrations in the countries that rely on the funds. Signing a COFA also offers no guarantee that a nation will be immune from influence operations by US rivals. In April, Reuters reported that Chinese nationals had successfully cultivated close ties to senior political figures in Palau, alarming US officials. Administration officials argue the island is crucial to the US due to its deposits of minerals that have important high-tech and military applications, but which remain untapped due to labour shortages, scarce infrastructure and various other challenges. An administration official told Reuters the US was helping Greenland diversify its economy and gain greater economic independence from Denmark. The Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank, both US agencies, could play a role in that process, the official said. The official pointed to the Tanbreez Project, which will see rare earths extracted on the island and processed in the US, as a particular bright spot in relations with Greenland. New York-based Critical Metals Corp holds a 42 per cent stake in the project, though that stake could increase considerably as part of a complex deal due to be completed later this year. The official said a COFA "could be an elegant way to address some of the concerns that we have when it comes to Greenland security," but did not otherwise comment on the possibility of such an accord. US officials are discussing a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence using a type of agreement that the United States has used to keep close ties with several Pacific Island nations, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Under the plan being considered, the Trump administration would propose to Greenland's leaders that the island enter into a so-called Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. US President Donald Trump has demanded that his country take control of the Arctic mineral-rich island for security purposes. Greenlanders have repeatedly insisted that the island is not for sale and they don't want to become Americans. Instead, many support independence from Denmark. Between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the world's biggest island has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years. It governs its own domestic affairs but its foreign and defence policies are formulated in Copenhagen. While the precise details of COFA agreements - which have only ever been extended to the small island nations of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau - vary depending on the signatory, the US government typically provides many essential services, from mail delivery to emergency management to military protection. In exchange, the US military operates freely in COFA countries and trade with the US is largely duty-free. President Donald Trump, who during his first administration floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, has pressed even harder since taking office in January, refusing to rule out taking the island by force. Denmark and Greenland have sharply rebuffed the idea. A COFA agreement would stop short of Trump's ambition to make the island of 57,000 people a part of the US. It is not the only Greenland plan on the table, the sources said, and it would face many practical hurdles. Reuters reported before Trump took office that some advisers had informally suggested the idea. But it has not been previously revealed that White House officials have begun talks about the logistics behind such a proposal. Some officials at the National Security Council and the National Energy Dominance Council, which Trump established, are involved in the talks, two of the sources said. The National Economic Council is also involved, one of those sources added. COFA agreements have previously been inked with independent countries, and Greenland would likely need to separate from Denmark for such a plan to proceed. While polls show Greenlanders are interested in independence, surveys also show most do not want to be part of the US. A COFA - which cedes significant autonomy to Washington - could be viewed with similar scepticism. Washington's existing COFA agreements with Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia are seen across the US political spectrum as important for countering China's growing influence in the Asia Pacific. Still, such accords have hit snags in the past. Republican lawmakers have at times opposed elements of the budget allotted to fund COFA agreements, creating deep frustrations in the countries that rely on the funds. Signing a COFA also offers no guarantee that a nation will be immune from influence operations by US rivals. In April, Reuters reported that Chinese nationals had successfully cultivated close ties to senior political figures in Palau, alarming US officials. Administration officials argue the island is crucial to the US due to its deposits of minerals that have important high-tech and military applications, but which remain untapped due to labour shortages, scarce infrastructure and various other challenges. An administration official told Reuters the US was helping Greenland diversify its economy and gain greater economic independence from Denmark. The Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank, both US agencies, could play a role in that process, the official said. The official pointed to the Tanbreez Project, which will see rare earths extracted on the island and processed in the US, as a particular bright spot in relations with Greenland. New York-based Critical Metals Corp holds a 42 per cent stake in the project, though that stake could increase considerably as part of a complex deal due to be completed later this year. The official said a COFA "could be an elegant way to address some of the concerns that we have when it comes to Greenland security," but did not otherwise comment on the possibility of such an accord. US officials are discussing a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence using a type of agreement that the United States has used to keep close ties with several Pacific Island nations, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Under the plan being considered, the Trump administration would propose to Greenland's leaders that the island enter into a so-called Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. US President Donald Trump has demanded that his country take control of the Arctic mineral-rich island for security purposes. Greenlanders have repeatedly insisted that the island is not for sale and they don't want to become Americans. Instead, many support independence from Denmark. Between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the world's biggest island has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years. It governs its own domestic affairs but its foreign and defence policies are formulated in Copenhagen. While the precise details of COFA agreements - which have only ever been extended to the small island nations of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau - vary depending on the signatory, the US government typically provides many essential services, from mail delivery to emergency management to military protection. In exchange, the US military operates freely in COFA countries and trade with the US is largely duty-free. President Donald Trump, who during his first administration floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, has pressed even harder since taking office in January, refusing to rule out taking the island by force. Denmark and Greenland have sharply rebuffed the idea. A COFA agreement would stop short of Trump's ambition to make the island of 57,000 people a part of the US. It is not the only Greenland plan on the table, the sources said, and it would face many practical hurdles. Reuters reported before Trump took office that some advisers had informally suggested the idea. But it has not been previously revealed that White House officials have begun talks about the logistics behind such a proposal. Some officials at the National Security Council and the National Energy Dominance Council, which Trump established, are involved in the talks, two of the sources said. The National Economic Council is also involved, one of those sources added. COFA agreements have previously been inked with independent countries, and Greenland would likely need to separate from Denmark for such a plan to proceed. While polls show Greenlanders are interested in independence, surveys also show most do not want to be part of the US. A COFA - which cedes significant autonomy to Washington - could be viewed with similar scepticism. Washington's existing COFA agreements with Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia are seen across the US political spectrum as important for countering China's growing influence in the Asia Pacific. Still, such accords have hit snags in the past. Republican lawmakers have at times opposed elements of the budget allotted to fund COFA agreements, creating deep frustrations in the countries that rely on the funds. Signing a COFA also offers no guarantee that a nation will be immune from influence operations by US rivals. In April, Reuters reported that Chinese nationals had successfully cultivated close ties to senior political figures in Palau, alarming US officials. Administration officials argue the island is crucial to the US due to its deposits of minerals that have important high-tech and military applications, but which remain untapped due to labour shortages, scarce infrastructure and various other challenges. An administration official told Reuters the US was helping Greenland diversify its economy and gain greater economic independence from Denmark. The Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank, both US agencies, could play a role in that process, the official said. The official pointed to the Tanbreez Project, which will see rare earths extracted on the island and processed in the US, as a particular bright spot in relations with Greenland. New York-based Critical Metals Corp holds a 42 per cent stake in the project, though that stake could increase considerably as part of a complex deal due to be completed later this year. The official said a COFA "could be an elegant way to address some of the concerns that we have when it comes to Greenland security," but did not otherwise comment on the possibility of such an accord.
