Kuartei resigns as Compact negotiator

President Remengesau said while he will look for Kuartei’s replacement, he will not immediately remove Kuartei from the position if it will jeopardize the ongoing Compact of Free Association negotiations.The president said Kuartei will stay on as negotiator in the upcoming round of talks slated in September.Kuartei submitted his resignation after agreeing to run as Senate President Surangel Whipps’ running mate.Remengesau when he announced Kuartei as negotiator said the presidential Chief of Staff is fit for the job because he had no political plans.“I feel that it is appropriate that I offer my resignation as the Compact Section 432 Review Chief Representative. My resignation from this position does not in any way reduce my commitment to you and during the remainder of your term as President of the Republic of Palau,” Kuartei said in his resignation letter.The president told reporters that he has asked Kuartei to draft a report regarding updates of his work.Her said that due to time constraints Kuartei will remain in the negotiating table in September.The president said that it is more important that negotiations will not be interrupted since Palau is in the critical stage of negotiations.Palau’s Compact with the United States is up for renegotiation beginning this year.Presidential candidate Elias Camsek Chin said although Kuartei may be the best informed when in comes to Compact negotiations, “rules are rules.”Chin added that Kuartei is in a disadvantage if he remains as Chief negotiator because he might be able to freely talk about the Compact during the campaign period.Chin however said it will still be the president’s decision on whether Kuartei should continue as Compact negotiator.