By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The Compact Review Commission will be hosting next month the National Economic Symposium as part of its information campaign.
A task force had been created to plan for the five-day symposium. Its members include Kenneth Uyehara, Coordinator Semdui Decherong, Asst. Coordinator Sharon Sakuma, Asst. Coordinator Tiare Holm. Portia Franz, Darin de Leon, Yumie Morishita, Hobbs Lowson, Leilani Reklai, Belhaim "Bena" Sakuma, Joan Risong Tarkong, Lisa Abraham, Casmir Remengesau, Salvador Tellames, Rebluud Kesolei, Marino Ngemaes, Crispin Termeteet, Meori Wenti-Adelbai, Alfonso Koshiba and Roxanne Siual Blesam.
The theme of the activity is "Symposium on Natioinal Sustainable Development: Integrating Economic, Environmental, Security and Social Factors."
The CRC is chaired by former president Kuniwo Nakamura and the members are Min. Elbuchel Sadang, Min. Temmy Schmull, Masa-Aki Emesiochl, Dr. Steve Kuartei, Sen. Joshua Koshiba, Sen. Alan Seid, Del, William Ngiraikelau and Del. Noah Idechong.
CRC Executive Director Victorio Uherbelau released this week a statement on the completion of the commission’s first phase of the review of the Compact last month.
The statement said that for the past seven months, the Commission collected and compiled information and materials.
The Commission noted meetings held with private and public sectors as well with state governors, to discuss issues and recommendations for the renegotiation of the Compact.
The Commission said that a fact-finding mission had been dispatched to the Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands to consult with the two country’s officials who took part in their Compact renegotiations with the US.
The CRC said that mission teams were also dispatched to Guam, Saipan and Hawaii to discuss issues relating to impacts from such Compact.
The symposium is scheduled Feb. 19-23 at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center.
An open forum for Palau leadership and the general public is set on the first day of the five-day symposium aimed at sharing ideas and comments on the Compact as well as issues on economic development.
Group sessions is set Feb. 20-21 for local business leaders, government and nongovernment representatives with the objective of discussing the economy, environment, society and security.
The symposium will be officially opened on Feb. 22 with invited guests who will make presentations and join in panel discussions.
Student speakers from various high schools will also be speaking about their visions for the future on the last day of symposium on Feb. 23.
The CRC said that for the next several months, beginning this January to July, it will formulate the recommendations and strategies for the negotiation team to review and renegotiate the Compact with the US before 2009.
The CRC said that with technical assistance funding from the Asian Development Bank, it will be putting together a revised master economic development plan drawing from the existing plans such as the "Palau 2020" and JICA studies.
Meanwhile, President Remengesau in a memorandum to Vice President Elias Camsek Chin dated Jan. 15 confirmed that the symposium had already been finalized and the Commission is requesting the assistance and support of the government to implement the plan.
The president said that both the task force and the commission lack the necessary manpower and resources to support the plan.
The president has assigned one of the Bureau Directors to represent the Ministry of Justice on a committee.