<P> Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau gained independence under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), which gives the U.S. full authority over aid and defense in exchange for continuing access to U.S. health care, government services such as the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Postal Service, and the right for COFA citizens to work freely in the U.S. and vice versa . </P> <P> The United States exercises a high degree of control in defense, funding, and government services in: </P> <Ul> <Li> Federated States of Micronesia (since 1986) </Li> <Li> Marshall Islands (since 1986) </Li> <Li> Palau (since 1994) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Federated States of Micronesia (since 1986) </Li>

What territories are owned by the united states