194 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007) awards from a class-action lawsuit congressmen be paid via a uniform have been exhausted. fee structure for each day of official The redeployment of 8,000 session. An initiative calling for a Marines from the Japanese island of one-house congress failed. Also on the Okinawa to Guam will have substan- November 2004 ballot, voters were tial social and economic impacts on asked if they desired a second consti- the Marianas. In particular, there is tutional convention (Con-Con), the talk of establishing a permanent train- first one having been held in 1979. ing facility, probably including staff A second convention would be a way housing, on the island of Tinian, for the National Congress to respond where the Department of Defense to Remengesau’s initiatives. controls 17,000 acres. The people of A second Con-Con was approved Tinian have been complaining since by the Palauan voters in the 2004 the establishment of the common- election and the twenty-five-member wealth that they were promised a convention was in session from 17 base. Now they very well might have May to 15 July 2005. Of the conven- it. If there are mixed feelings on the tion’s 251 proposals, the delegates island about this development, it will approved 22 for presentation to the certainly provide a shot in the arm people for ratification in the 2008 for the CNMI economy. national elections. Regarding some samuel f mcphetres of the key proposals: first, the joint- ticket amendment (for the offices of ROP president and vice president) was reversed by the Con-Con, thus Republic of Palau affirming the separate-ticket arrange- Major issues and events for July ment established by Palau’s original 2005–June 2006 included the con- constitution. Second, the term-limit clusion of the second Constitutional amendment for congressmen could be Convention for the Republic of Palau repealed by the voters at the 2008 (ROP), work of the executive and election but, oddly, will be in place for National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelu- the 2008 election. Third, Remenge- lau, or oek), various megaprojects, sau’s dual-citizenship initiative was and relations with countries that pro- clarified by the Con-Con thusly: “A vide needed assistance and labor to person born of parents, one or both Palau. of whom are citizens of Palau or are In November 2004, President of recognized Palauan ancestry, is a Remengesau had outmaneuvered the citizen of Palau. Citizenship of other National Congress by using popular foreign nations shall not affect a per- initiative to place five amendments on son’s Palauan citizenship.” Ironically, the general election ballot. The voters the Con-Con then changed the eligi- approved four of the president’s bility for running for the offices of amendments: dual citizenship, a president, vice president, and national three-term limit for oek members, a congressman to exclude dual citizen- requirement that candidates for presi- ship. Also proposed: after 31 Decem- dent and vice president run jointly as ber 2009, trial by jury would be a team ticket, and a requirement that available for cases involving a crimi- political reviews • micronesia 195 nal offense that is punishable by a a very busy year of traveling, attend- sentence of imprisonment of twelve ing meetings, and engaging the years or more. National Congress. There was the Other important Con-Con pro- normal push and pull regarding cer- posals to be voted on in 2008 include tain bills, the selection of new ambas- a guarantee of academic freedom in sadors to the Philippines and Japan, Palau’s postsecondary institutions; the and the appointment of members to opportunity to petition for Palauan the Compact Review Commission. citizenship by a person born of non- Since independence in 1994, Palau Palauan citizens but adopted by has established diplomatic relations Palauan citizens before the age of with forty countries, and during the three years; the extension from 50 to period under review Mr Remengesau 99 years for land leased by a citizen accepted the credentials of new of Palau to a noncitizen or corpora- ambassadors from Israel, France, tion wholly owned by noncitizens; a Italy, Thailand, Great Britain, the prohibition of same-sex marriages; Philippines, the Czech Republic, the free and compulsory education from Netherlands, Turkey, and Japan. A grades one to twelve; and a mandate number of these new diplomats were that the “national government shall on hand for Palau’s eleventh Indepen- provide free preventive health care for dence Day celebration, including the every citizen as prescribed by law.” Spanish ambassador, Ignacio Sagaz, To provide greater support for who brought a congratulatory letter Palauan traditions, the Con-Con also from King Carlos and a donation of proposed: “The national government 200,000 euros to assist Palau in pro- shall take affirmative action to assist tecting its marine biodiversity. Also, traditional leaders in the preservation, the president appointed and the Sen- protection, and promotion of Palauan ate confirmed Daiziro Nakamura and heritage, culture, languages, customs Ramon Rechebei as Palau’s new and traditions.” ambassadors to Japan and the Repub- Despite the reversals of several of lic of the Philippines, respectively in Mr Remengesau’s initiatives by the April and May 2006. Con-Con, four of the five amend- Along with one hundred seventy ments approved by the voters in 2004 other heads of state, Mr Remengesau are currently in place, and rules and attended the sixtieth anniversary sum- regulations have been written to bring mit of the United Nations. While rec- them into effect. Of course, come ognizing the critical role the United 2008, some things may be reversed. Nations plays, Remengesau urged the Finally, the Con-Con chose eight of location of UN representatives in the its members to serve on the Post Con- Pacific. unesco committed its sup- vention Committee, which is respon- port to teacher training with a grant sible for educating the general public to Palau of us$250,000. unesco also about the twenty-two amendments in designated Ngeremeduu Bay, Ngerem- time for the November 2008 national lengui State, as a biosphere reserve, referendum. the very first such designation in the While Con-Con 2 was completing Pacific. The UN Food and Agricul- its work, President Remengesau began tural Organization provided Palau a 196 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007) grant of us$323,000 for (1) improv- concerning the environment. At the ing milkfish farming; (2) developing a World Expo in Japan, he contrasted sustainable national aquaculture strat- “global greed” with “global need” egy and action plan; and (3) building and complimented Japan for its envi- capacity via training workshops in ronmental leadership as a nation that aquaculture. Also, Palau was elected has “established sustainable patterns as one of the ten members of the of economic growth that complement Bureau of the Subsidiary Body of social and cultural integrity while Scientific, Technical, and Technologi- preserving the natural environment” cal Advice panel to deliver advice to (TBN, 8–15 July 2005, 15). The young the UN Convention on Biological Palau president first presented his Diversity, which is concerned with “Micronesian Challenge” to attendees conservation and sustainable use of at the US Coral Reef Task Force Con- global biodiversity. Dr Joel Miles will ference, held in Palau in December serve as Palau’s Asia-Pacific region 2005. The idea challenges the Micro- representative to the bureau. Addi- nesian nations to commit to protect- tionally, Palau’s UN ambassador, ing at least 30 percent of their near- Stuart Beck, joined four of his island shore marine resources and 20 colleagues at the United Nations to percent of their forest resources by push for a direct presence of the 2020. In Brazil, at the March 2006 world body in the Islands, specifically meeting of the Parties to the Con- the establishment of five UN Develop- vention on Biological Diversity, Mr ment Program (undp) sub-offices in Remengesau announced the commit- the Republic of the Marshall Islands ment of the Micronesian states to this (RMI), the Federated States of Micro- challenge and stated that he would nesia (FSM), the Republic of Nauru, begin discussions to bring the chal- Tuvalu, and the Republic of Palau, in lenge into reality. If realized, it would order to strengthen capacity to design add significantly to the fifty terrestrial and carry out crucial development and fifty marine protected areas in projects. The sub-office heads would Micronesia that now exist. serve under the undp resident repre- Two of the five presidential sentative stationed in Fiji. This effort appointees to the Compact Review has so far funneled over a million US Commission were turned down by dollars of Global Environment Facil- the Senate, which later approved ity funds to three Palau nongovern- Stevenson Kuartei, md, and Minister mental organizations. Finally, Palau of State Temmy Shmull, in place of provided two of its police officers to Ambassador Beck and businessman serve for nine months as members of Surangel Whipps, Jr. Dr Kuartei and the UN Peacekeeping Mission in East Shmull joined former President Timor. It is expected this will be an Kuniwo Nakamura, retired educator ongoing involvement. Masaakai Emesiochel, and Minister Throughout the year, Mr Remen- of Finance Elbuchel Sadang on the gesau, who has become known as a commission. The commission’s task is strong environmental advocate, signed to review Palau’s performance under legislation and delivered addresses the Compact of Free Association political reviews • micronesia 197

Agreement (which expires in 2009) sai Note and FSM President Joseph and identify key issues for future dis- Ursemal, just as the South Pacific cussion, including requirements for Mini Games began in Koror. Besides achieving a sustainable private sector. regional issues of marine boundaries Remengesau is hoping Compact 2 and extradition matters, the Palau talks with the United States can begin president was interested in an update in 2007. from his colleagues concerning Com- In the 2006 annual meeting of the pact 2 matters, since both of the other Palau–US Joint Committee, which nations completed new compact included the US Chargé d’Affaires agreements with the United States Deborah L Kingsland and Rear Admi- several years ago. ral Joe Leidig, the president expressed Early in 2006 Remengesau met in his concerns about completion of the Yap with the other western Micro- fifty-three-mile compact-funded circle nesian chief executives, but the most road on Babeldaob, which has been important regional meeting was the plagued with mudslides. These both- tri-annual Pacific Islands Leaders ersome slides occurred in places Meeting (palm) hosted by Japan where major cuts were made for the Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in roadbed. These same cuts have June. Koizumi announced that Japan revealed fascinating archaeological would supply over us$400 million in evidence showing that much of the grant aid over the next three years, to interior of the island was sculpted be provided according to national into gigantic earthworks about three development plans, and including to four thousand years ago. It might people-to-people exchanges via schol- be conjectured that the mudslides can arships and volunteerism. At the sum- be traced to insufficient compacting mit, Remengesau urged Japan to take by ancient Palauan builders. the lead in conducting research into Mr Remengesau also mentioned alternative energy sources to help that during the year, 81 Palauan relieve the islands’ overdependence on young people joined the US military: fossil fuels. He also repeated Palau’s 76 with the Army, 2 into the Navy, endorsement of Japan’s permanent 1 with the Coast Guard, and 2 into membership on the UN Security the Marines. He suggested to the US Council. At the end of the year, Mr officials that the marines relocating Remengesau traveled again to Japan from Okinawa to Guam would be to submit Palau’s development assis- more than welcome to visit Palau for tance proposal and to promote rest and relaxation. Also, Palau had Palau’s noni (Morinda citrifolia) its first West Point Military Academy health food products; to Saipan for graduate, Matthew James Borja Wang. the opening of the Sixth Micronesian A new recruit for West Point is Tkel Games; to New Caledonia for the Shannon Etpison, who was selected Pacific Islands Forum meeting; to by the military academy from among France at the invitation of President six candidates in 2006. Chirac; and finally, to Israel at the Mr Remengesau met in Palau with invitation of the Israeli government. his counterparts, RMI President Kes- In his State of the Republic address 198 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007) in April 2006, Mr Remengesau The UN commission sessions focused announced that the national capitol on strategies for strengthening devel- will relocate in October to the stun- oping Pacific Island states and territo- ning, new, four-building complex in ries via regional cooperation. As a Melekeok State, and that the Palau side note, Indonesia is Palau’s huge leadership summit recommendations southern neighbor, but the two of February 2006 would be incorpo- nations have yet to establish diplo- rated into a revised action plan. These matic relations. recommendations include expanding Vice President Chin is very much a economic base activities, improving “people person” and he often presents health care, ensuring environmental his unique coins to visitors, especially protection through the Micronesian Palau’s youth. The coin extols the Challenge, and pursuing alternative values of tradition, progress, people, energy sources. He urged the national trust, and loyalty. During the year, leadership to work together to “set Chin met with Palau’s Boy Scouts, our nation on a voyage that is unique students of law-enforcement educa- to Palau, driven by Palauan winds tion, and state governors who needed and steered by Palauan captains. Our assistance with key state projects, and moment in time is now. Let us grasp he was inducted into the Paradise it—together. And let us leave no Lions Club. On a visit to Guam, he Palauan behind” (TBN, 21–28 April swore in the new members of the 2006, 1, 8, 15). Palau Community Association of As the nation’s vice president, Elias Guam and presented the entire Con- Camsek Chin kept up a busy schedule Con 2 journal to the University of as well. Chin also carries the Ministry Guam for use by future research stu- of Justice portfolio, as he did under dents. Mr Chin initiated Palau’s first former President Kuniwo Nakamura. Big Brother/Big Sister program and a Important international meetings at series of town hall meetings in Palau’s which the vice president represented rural states. These meetings have the Republic of Palau were the thirty- become tremendously useful for sixth meeting of the Pacific Islands exchanging information and com- Forum in Papua New Guinea, the pleting routine business. The vice Asia-Pacific Business Forum confer- president met with members of the ence, and, separately, sessions of the BentProp Project, which searches UN Economic and Social Commission Palau for WWII crashed aircraft, for Asia and the Pacific in Jakarta, hoping to find human remains. He Indonesia. In Papua New Guinea, also launched an Internet-based Chin provided input to the Pacific search effort to identify Palauans Plan, a proposed moratorium on serving in the US military. The vice deep-sea bottom trawling, and a president’s purpose is to keep in resolution updating the functions touch these young, skilled citizens and purposes of the Forum. Meetings in the hope of encouraging them to in Indonesia centered on business eventually return home. networking and partnerships and Palau’s Olbiil Era Kelulau improvement of telecommunications. (National Congress) is made up of a political reviews • micronesia 199 nine-member Senate and a sixteen- resort development project for Mele- member House of Delegates. During keok State and is insisting on a 99- the past year, the congress produced year lease arrangement. This issue has legislation regarding lifestyle diseases, resulted in two notable complications. the national budget, foreign workers, First, will the legislators who received and a salary increase for government all-expense-paid trips to Hong Kong employees, as well as a controversial and Shanghai by Shimao be accused bill extending land-leasing to foreign- of conflict of interest if they act offi- ers from 50 to 99 years; a cash courier cially in support of the 99-year bill? disclosure act; a money laundering Second, the Palau Supreme Court in and proceeds-of-crime act; an act to 1990 ruled that a 99-year lease is rename the national airport after unconstitutional, because such long- Roman Tmetuchl, the late governor term alienation of land is “tanta- and congressman; and a long-term mount to ownership” as it denies land tourist visa act. Significant public to three generations beyond the lessee opposition developed concerning the (TBN, 30 Dec 2005–6 Jan 2006, 2). land-lease extension and the visa act Some sparks were generated when because of the perception that these the Senate, in its role of advice and bills, if approved into law, would consent, debated the reappointment benefit the wealthy, both local and of Palau’s special prosecutor (sp). foreign, more than the average Everett Walton, a no-nonsense, ener- Palauan citizen. The long-term visa getic prosecutor, had over the years act is designed to attract an elite class hauled to court a large number of of noncitizens who wish to establish state and national legislators for vari- second homes in Palau. The visa ous civil violations, obtaining many requirements would involve payment convictions or settlements. Known of an initial us$10,000 and an agree- simply as “the sp,” Walton has ment to purchase or rent a dwelling become popular among the grassroots for us$100,000 ($10,000 per year). people and was reconfirmed by the The so-called “long-term” is ten Senate after some “grilling” with a years. Dependents (up to age twenty- strong vote, 8 yes to 1 no. The sp is one) and spouse would have to pay independent, has a five-year term, us$5,000 each to accompany the and has kept corruption in check. long-term renter to the second home More sparks were caused by Sena- in Palau. Beyond the revenue the tor Alfonso Diaz, who also runs a pri- visas would bring in, the dwelling fee vate radio station, wwfm, in Koror, would go into the hands of a private who has come under fire for his blunt, Palauan citizen. It would therefore “in-your-face” style of radio commen- not be available to the government tary. This resulted in a recall move- for capital or service improvement. ment on the part of Voices, a group The 99-year lease bill was likely of young professionals who claim to written to benefit foreign investors be dedicated to good governance and such as the Shimao Group of the Peo- transparent leadership. Voices argued ple’s Republic of China (PRC), which that Senator Diaz was guilty of mis- has proposed a huge, us$400 million conduct in office. Their recall effort 200 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007) caused Diaz to sweat a bit, but he Palau hosted the Seventh South Pacific survived the recall, with 2,924 voting Mini Games, which were dominated in his support and 2,371 against, a by New Caledonia, winning one 55 percent to 45 percent split. hundred twelve medals. Twenty-two Minister of Health Victor M Yano, countries and 1,600 athletes com- md, was awarded the University of peted at Palau’s much-improved Hawai‘i Distinguished Alumni Award. athletic facilities. As with the Festival Vanessa Wong, md, who serves on the of Pacific Arts in 2004, Palau was a faculty of the University of Hawai‘i superb host and also did well in the School of Medicine, returned to Palau final medal count, finishing eighth, to participate in a ngasch, the cere- with nineteen medals to its credit. mony celebrating the birth of a Of course, with 3,000 people arriving woman’s first child. Attorney Roman for the games, the event was good Bedor was selected by the important for Palau’s economy, which saw an traditional leaders of Ngchesar State increase of gross revenues by some to take the highest-ranking title there, 5 percent. that of Ngirakebou. And Kathy Keso- Palau Micronesian Air has lei, a distinguished woman from remained grounded since its abrupt Melekeok State, was selected by collapse in December 2004. Despite Pacific Magazine as one of twenty-five restructuring, the company has not promising leaders who are demon- gotten a plane into the air or money strating regional influence and are back to the individual Palauan inves- seen as “rising stars” in the Pacific. tors, the Palau National Development President Remengesau conferred the Bank, the Yap State government, or title “Palau’s Goodwill Ambassador” the Pohnpei State government. These on Mr Hideo “Joe” Morita for his failures may impact the political tremendous contributions and valued futures of some of the founders of friendship. Morita established the the airline. In the meantime, in April Palau Organic Farm in Ngaremlengui 2006 Asian Spirit Airlines began serv- State in 1995; Dolphins Pacific, a huge ing the Davao–Manila–Palau route natural aquarium; the Morita Educa- with three flights per week, using tional Foundation Scholarship pro- Palau Micronesian Air operating gram, which annually supports eight rights. Large contingents of tourists Palauan high school students at the and government officials made recip- prestigious, private St John’s School rocal visits with the inaugural flight on Guam; and he assisted Palau in of Asian Spirit Airlines in April. Both negotiations with Japan Airlines for Palau and the Philippines are hoping charter flights to Palau—all impres- the air link to Davao City will be an sive contributions. economic stimulus for both countries. Palau did well with its dancers and The third largest city in the Philip- displays at the World Expo in Aichi, pines, with 1.4 million people, Davao Japan. This visit allowed Palau to has high-quality medical and educa- reestablish sister-city agreements with tional facilities and may be a source Aichi and Mie Prefectures and Nishin of both tourists and skilled workers City, Japan. For eleven days in July, for Palau. political reviews • micronesia 201

Governor Jackson Ngiraingas of only atoll, Kayangel. In March 2006, Peleliu has been the main and unre- David Gettleson, president of Con- strained cheerleader for the grandiose tinental Shelf Associates, Inc, of Nautilus City Resort project of hotels, Florida, was in Palau to talk with villas, marinas, casino, and golf the Environmental Quality Protection course. He has butted heads with Board and top leaders. Gettleson President Remengesau over the pro- sought permission to drill two explor- ject because the external investor, atory holes, one to a depth of 6,000 HK Investment Holdings Limited feet for oil, and a second to 2,000 (hkihl), apparently of Malaysia, was feet for gas, to determine (somehow) not clear about meeting requirements whether there are commercial pos- established by Palau’s Foreign Invest- sibilities. If so, Palau could become ment Board. In July 2006, Peter terribly rich, and this possibility poses Moran of hkihl pulled his company a great attraction for some people. out of the billion-dollar Peleliu pro- Issues discussed included potential ject, citing Palau’s foreign investor environmental impacts, mitigation of unfriendliness. However, the Palauan negative impacts, and unavoidable leadership has a good nose for scam impacts. Gettleson and his team artists, and hkihl had that aroma. lobbied National Congress members Furthermore, Ngiraingas’s enthusiasm as well as President Remengesau (TBN, for the Nautilus project generated 17–24 March 2006, 1). Remengesau opposition from the Peleliu State has requested the congress to devise a Legislature, which attempted to framework for understanding and impeach him. The governor sued, dealing with the drilling proposal. claiming denial of due process. Palau’s Some unsubstantiated reports claim Supreme Court agreed and Ngiraingas the seabed area may hold some 366 will complete his term of office. million barrels of oil and 162 billion In contrast to hkihl is the Aman cubic feet of natural gas (TBN, 24–31 Resort Group, a European consor- March 2006, 4). The American oil tium with eighteen resorts worldwide, people reportedly had a supportive which successfully completed arrange- letter to Mr Remengesau from former ments with Palau to build a luxury Secretary of State Colin Powell. When resort hotel on the site of the former asked for his views, Hideo Morita Nikko Hotel grounds in Ngermid, on stated that the petroleum search could the outskirts of Koror. The resort will be a great opportunity for revenue consist of extraordinarily luxurious and advised Palau “to ask for oil bungalows, which will meet super- money up front in case the oil explo- international standards and, at ration company files for bankruptcy us$800–$1000 per day, will attract in the midst of an oil spill catastro- only the very wealthy. phe” (TBN, 19–26 May 2006, 2). Another ambitious but potentially A project that was first reported dangerous project that deserves care- last year continues to keep Palau’s ful watching is Palau Pacific Energy’s attention (Shuster 2005). Joseph search for oil and gas on the Japan- Tung, executive director of Shimao, Palau ocean ridge north of Palau’s presented details of the huge project, 202 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007) called “Blue Dream,” to the leader- with its population of some 20,000 ship of Melekeok State, the National people (a 2005 census resulted in a Congress, members of Con-Con 2, the count of 14,439 Palauans and 5,467 Foreign Investment Board, and the foreigners). Titleholders (chiefs) Ese- Environmental Quality Protection bei Arbedul, Ngirkelau Butelbai and Board. Shimao is offering to build a Edobo Temengil passed away during us$400-million resort at Melekeok, the year. Ball player Paulus Kumangai which would include a 300-room died at age 55, as did Augurio Joseph, hotel, casino, golf course, aquarium, a former teacher and government yacht club, shopping center, and villas. director. Marcelino Melairei, a former The investors claim the project will cabinet minister, passed away at age produce us$14 million in tax revenue 72, and Kempis Mad, a local histo- and us$5 million in lease rental and rian and linguist, died in May, at just employ some 2,750 people. But Shi- 52 years of age. Also passing away mao’s price is pretty high: a 99-year was Silas Orrukem, age 53. The pass- land lease, a 50-year exclusive casino ing of Professor John Kenneth Gal- license, foreign investment permits, braith was recognized with respect in and Palau’s agreement to provide Palau because of important assistance sufficient water, power, sewage, and he rendered to Palau during compact telecommunications services (TBN, negotiations with the US in the late 1–8 July 2005. 1). In Palau’s recent 1970s. At that time, when the Hilo history, as often as not, huge projects Accords and other important princi- like “Blue Dream” get stalled because ples were agreed on, the Palau Politi- of bothersome and occasionally end- cal Status Commission was under the less land disputes. leadership of Roman Tmetuchl. Gal- Shimao’s efforts with Melekeok braith was the first person granted may be a cautious attempt by the Peo- honorary citizenship of Palau for the ple’s Republic of China to gain some wise counsel he provided, gratis. He influence in Palau. Also, opportunism died at age 97. on the part of state governors and Transparency International, a non- national congressmen has resulted in governmental organization operating some embarrassing moments for offi- in ninety countries, gave Palau a cials in President Remengesau’s office. generally clean bill of health in their Apparently without consulting Palau’s 2004 report, but embarrassing inci- foreign ministry, Governor Hideo of dents of corruption took place during Ngchesar and Senator Koshiba sepa- the period under review. A former rately invited small PRC delegations senator was found guilty of perjury in to Palau to compare notes on trade, a case related to an altered invoice for commerce, and tourism. At least overseas travel and work. A Chinese three such visits took place during the woman and Palauan man were period under review. For his perceived arrested for alien smuggling; the two indiscretion, Hideo lost Taiwan’s used an elaborate plan in an attempt grant support for a road in his state. to smuggle one Chinese woman into Deaths leave a significant impact the country. She had paid us$20,000 on small-scale societies such as Palau, up front with the hope of getting into political reviews • micronesia 203 the United States, where she was then mined that the annual consumption of to make a second us$20,000 pay- beer per person over age twenty-one ment. The effort was foiled by careful increased from 377 cans in 2000, to work of US and Palau customs and 398 in 2001, and to 434 in 2002; immigration officials. Additionally, an more recent figures are not available. employee of the Koror State Govern- A cancer support group was formed ment pled guilty to numerous charges and is active with both Palauans and of forgery, larceny, and cheating; his residents from the Philippines. Fur- fifteen-year prison term was sus- thermore, campaigns to persuade peo- pended except for two years, and he ple to stop smoking were launched must pay a us$5,000 fine and make with some success. restitution. Ngardmau State Gover- The Ministry of Health is urging nor Schwartz Tudong was properly people to think of health professionals impeached by the state legislature for as partners; also more Palauans are the misuse or public funds, and Ngi- jogging and walking for their health. wal State Governor Elmis Mesubed The ministry is training more health was also removed from office for a professionals—some fifty-five this long list of illegal behaviors, including year—via a consortium involving misconduct in office, larceny, and Palau Community College, the Uni- forgery in the illegal spending of pub- versity of Auckland, the Fiji School of lic funds. Tudong attempted to win Medicine, the University of Alaska, back his seat by running for governor and the University of Guam. Financial in a special election that was held to support for the training was provided fill the seat he lost through impeach- by the US Department of Health and ment. However, former national Con- Human Services and Department of gresswoman Akiko Sugiyama soundly Interior. defeated him and will serve as Ngard- An moh survey revealed seven mau governor for the remainder of reported cases of hiv/aids for the Tudong’s term. 1993–2004 period; there is some Palauans are becoming more health indication that transmission may be conscious, thanks to the activities of taking place within Palau’s hetero- the Ministry of Health (moh). The sexual population, which experienced first Public Health Convention was three deaths due to aids in the 25–44 held in late 2005 with the aim of age group. increasing people’s awareness of com- Remengesau also created the munity health issues. The leading National Avian Influenza Advisory causes of death in Palau are noncom- and Coordination Team for develop- municable diseases such as cancer, ing a plan to battle the bird flu virus, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, h5n1, should it arrive in Palau. Dr stroke, obesity, betel-nut chewing, Pat Scannon of the BentProp Project smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse. lent his expertise to this planning President Remengesau established a effort early in 2006, and Palau and Council on Substance Abuse Preven- Taiwan signed a formal agreement to tion. The council examined figures for exchange information regarding the the importation of alcohol and deter- virus. 204 the contemporary pacific • 19:1 (2007)

The growing of noni trees has US Department of Agriculture for become very popular and capsules are design work for a new Palau Prison. now produced in Palau for export to These grants are on top of a compact Taiwan. Noni, which grows well in allotment of us$15.8 million in both Palau, is supposedly a cure for heart direct and indirect payments for gov- disease, arthritis, backaches, skin dis- ernmental operations for fiscal year orders, and even depression. 2006. While Palau has diplomatic rela- Anthony Reyes, the new chargé tions with forty nations, the most d’affaires at the Philippine Embassy, significant ones are the United States, is a welcome change from his prede- Japan, Republic of China (ROC, that cessor, who was unable to adequately is, Taiwan), Australia, and the Philip- deal with labor complaints. Reyes pines. Japan is working very hard on stated that he would ensure the pro- controlling Koror’s solid-waste site tection of Filipino workers without (actually a dump) located adjacent to jeopardizing diplomatic relations. the International Coral Reef Center. Past cases of worker abuse centered Control work now centers on con- on poor housing, cruel treatment, lack struction of a dike to enclose the of medical benefits, and poor working entire waste area and separate it from conditions. Reyes also will be pushing the non-waste, mangrove and lagoon for proper documentation of all Fili- environment. Japanese Overseas pino workers. Currently there are Cooperation Volunteers to schools 3,253 registered workers from the and government offices are regularly Philippines, but a large number of replaced, and the important widening undocumented ones—as many as of Koror’s causeways is nearly com- 1,100. It appears that many of the pleted. These efforts are coordinated nearly 5,000 Filipino workers are under the auspices of the Japan Inter- legally working in Palau but left the national Cooperation Agency, which Philippines illegally via escort services has an office in Koror. and “fixers” that arranged “under- The US Federal Aviation Authority the-table payments” (TBN, 17–24 Feb has granted Palau us$13 million for 2006, 7). The Philippines government major repair of Palau’s airstrip, includ- has been campaigning to get all ing resurfacing, paving, and installing Palau’s Filipino workers legally doc- lights. In annual talks, a US State umented so that they can gain the Department official expressed con- benefits of the Overseas Workers cerns about the costs associated with Welfare Administration. relocation of the capital from Koror Palau’s population of Taiwanese to Melekeok. The ROP spokesperson has grown large enough to have a responded that the relocation will community association that elected serve as an economic stimulus and its officers for 2006–2008. Taiwan provide a surge for the rural areas. agreed to dispatch to Palau volunteer The US Department of Health and specialists similar to Japan’s Overseas Human Services granted us$1.2 mil- Cooperation Volunteers and the US lion for health plans and services, and Peace Corps Volunteers. Embarrass- Palau received us$75,000 from the ingly, one of the two ships of the political reviews • micronesia 205

“Taiwan Fleet of Friendship” ran sixteen others sustained minor aground when maneuvering through injuries. a barrier reef passage. And for a road In addition to a state-of-the-art that will link the new compact road patrol boat of some two hundred to an existing road in Airai State, Tai- sixty tons, Australia has provided wan is granting Palau us$7 million. the services of a maritime surveillance Probably more troublesome than adviser. During the year, Commander the ship aground was the visit to Matt Brown ended his two-year term. Palau of Ji Peiding of the PRC He was a popular and important National People’s Congress. Clark addition to the foreign contingent Chen, ambassador to Palau from the living in Koror Town and was quite Republic of China (Taiwan) made public in his praise of Palau’s marine crystal clear his criticism of Peiding’s law enforcement division’s officers visit, stating that it was designed “to and men. Brown was replaced by disrupt the strong relationship shared Commander David Hannah. Further, between Palau and Taiwan” (TBN, Australia provides Palau significant 26 May–2 June 2006, 2), and that assistance in sports training and aid Taiwan has contributed over us$100 to schools. million to Palau’s development com- donald r shuster pared to “little or none” from the People’s Republic of China. Taking its security seriously, Taiwan posted Special thanks to Yoichi K Rengiil Isabel F Y Lo, second secretary, to for comments on an earlier draft of Palau to carefully screen all visa this review. applicants, to prevent the entry into Taiwan of any illegal workers or criminals. Also, Taiwan’s Far Eastern References Air Transport (fat) celebrated ten Pacific Magazine. Monthly. Honolulu. years of business with Palau, which Shuster, Donald R. 2005. Republic of began with some 3,400 tourists in Palau. Micronesia: Issues and Events 1996 and expanded to 42,000 by 2004–2005. The Contemporary Pacific 2004. A tourist couple from Taiwan 18:114–126. was tragically drowned in a boating accident in January. The couple had TBN, Tia Belau News. Weekly. Koror, Republic of Palau. not been wearing life jackets. Some