Remengesau was reacting to the comments made by Sen. Alfonso Diaz on his radio program, accusing Kuartei of misuse of public office.
But Remengesau defended Kuartei’s performance as his chief of staff and chief representative to the Compact review with the U.S.Kuartei submitted his resignation as chief negotiator when he became a candidate for vice president, but Remengesau never accepted it.The team of Senate President Surangel Whipps Sr. and Kuartei lost in last month’s primary.“I did not accept [Kuarteri’s] resignation, as I am sure that it would not be in the best interest of the Republic of Palau to do so,” Remengesau said. “It is critical to retain expertise and continuity on our Compact negotiating team.”He said he believes that Kuartei is “most knowledgeable regarding the work and progress of the Compact review.”Kuartei as a political appointee was not required to resign when he ran for office, the president said.“He did not use his position or government resources for his campaign,” Remengesau added.He noted that Diaz himself is a candidate for public office while being employed by the government.“It is not appropriate to assume that a candidate misuses his office simply because he does not resign from his job,” Remengesau said.
