By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Ngerchelong Delegate Kerai Mariur wrote a letter to Senator Joshua Koshiba lauding the latter’s so-called comprehensive report summarizing his recent trip to Beijing, China.
Mariur told Koshiba that based on the report the trip in the People’s Republic of China seemed successful and a beginning of a new friendship between Palau and China.
"Based on your previously articulated desire to bring a positive image of China to Palau and to establish palau as tourist destination for the Chinese people, I understand that you feel that it is necessary to introduce a resolution establishing diplomatic ties between Palau and China," Mariur noted in is letter.
Mariur said that it is apparent that Palau, as a member of the United Nations, should respect and honor other UN Member States, rather than continue an exclusive relationship between Palau and Taiwan.
Mariur noted that Taiwan is a "Province of China" as mentioned on page 2, paragraph 1, in the Inspector General’s report of January 2006 and that China has endorsed Palau’s membership to the United Nations.
"As you stated, the United States and China are two dominant world players in this global economy, and we must cement our relationship with both countries ion order to benefit the future generations of Palau," Mariur wrote.
He said that in order to establish and continue amicable and prosperous relations with both countries, we must not participate in exclusive relationships.
Mariur said that despite the stated desire for the stblishment of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, He plans to introduce a House Joint Resolution condemning Taiwan’s ongoing "dollar diplomacy."
Dollar diplomacy he said is the "use of money to influence the politics of our nation."
"Additionally, it is the viewpoint of the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs that "Taiwan does not promote transparency in governance, and has demonstrated this by its failure to provide requested information regarding economic stimulus packages to the Committee," Mariur said.
He said that Palau must further clarify the basis of the so-called "loan" or "grant" from Taiwan to the PSB receiver, specifically whether it is a loan or a grant to the Republic.
Mariur said that based on these issues, the House Committee on Judiciayr and Governmental Affairs of which he is the Chairman is seeking Koshiba’s assistance in ensuring the establishment of equitable diplomatic ties with the leaders of the global economy by taking into consideration these concerns.
Delegate Sabino Anastacio reserved his comment regarding this while Delegate Kalistus Ngirturong said that the issue whether to establish diplomatic relation with China is a sensitive and complex issue.
"We have to make a good study of this before we can make a suggestion," Ngirturong said.
He said that such diplomatic relation is an Executive matter.
"I need to know more about this issue," he said.