The provisions provide Palau with $13 million in annual subsidies and grants, and Toribiong will ask the U.S. to continue providing this assistance.
“I will stress the long and friendly relationship between Palau and the U.S. as evidenced by the numerous Palauans who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. armed services,” Toribiong said. The president, in his letter to Clinton, said: “My highest priority is to deepen the relationship between our countries as we begin a formal review of our relationship in compliance with our now 15-year old Compact of Free Association. The outcome of this review will impact the lives of every Palauan and I intend to be personally involved.”He said the review needs to be expedited since there is a need for U.S. congressional action by Oct. 1, 2009.In the U.S., Toribiong will be accompanied by State Minister Sandra Pierantozzi, Palau Ambassador to the U.S. Hersey Kyota and Palau Ambassador to the United Nations Stuart Beck.The island nation’s Compact economic advisor Kevin O’ Keefe, earlier said this is the worst time to ask for U.S. assistance due to the global recession.A re-negotiation of the Compact’s financial provisions may not even be forthcoming, he added.Palau “graduating” from these provisions is the “default option,” O’Keefe said.
