This is Toribiong’s response to an Associated Press news report that lawyers for the Uighurs, that three has accepted an offer to move to Palau.
The president however reiterates “the government of the Republic of Palau stands firm on its commitment to accept the temporary resettlement of the Uighurs in Palau from Guantanamo Detention facility located in Cuba.The AP news report said that George Clarke, the lawyer for two of the Uighurs, formally accepted Washington’s offer to relocate to Palau. Eric Tirschwell, the lawyer for four other Uighurs at Guantanamo, said that one of his clients also has accepted. Toribiong said Palau is in the process of finalizing the agreement on the move of Guantanamo detainees here. He said the transfer will likely occur before January. In June, Toribiong announced that Palau is accepting the temporary resettlement of the detainees.Palau and U.S. is in a middle of Compact of Free Association review.The Palau government however denied any links to the Compact on its decision to accept the Uighurs.The president said it is out of humanitarian gesture and to strengthen the friendship between Palau and the U.S.
