(339.3392) WISE Amsterdam - The order proposes a bill which would create an Assistant Secretary of the DOI, to be appointed as resident representative in Belau (called "Palau" by the US). The resident rep would have extensive executive power over the government and the administration in Belau. For example, all communication and contact with the government in Belau would have to go through the resident rep. All federal grants would have to be approved by the rep.
Belauans first knew about the order when some staff members of the DOI flew over to the islands and more or less announced their move. To many Belauans it seemed like an act of "desperation" in retaliation for their refusal to approve the "Compact of Free Association" and for their decision to call for a moratorium on any further Compact votes. February was the last referendum and voters again refused to allow the Compact to override the country's constitution (see WISE News Communique's 323/4.3246 and 326/7, In brief).
It seemed that Belau would finally have the breathing space needed to discuss the future and the options available. Belauans felt, and still feel, the need for a chance to build cohesiveness and to determine Belau's future needs without coercion from the US. It's not that this latest intervention by the US government comes as a surprise to Belauans. But what is surprising is that the US has, In the past, at least tried to appear respectful of Belau's "democratic processes".
The DCI is responsible for Belau under the United Nations Trusteeship agreement. As administrator of the UN Trusteeship, the US could well be called into question for its failure to enable economic development that would allow Belauans to be self-reliant - which is part of the Trusteeship agreement.
On the whole, most Belauans seem to be opposed to the bill and its implications. The leadership in Belau, including President Eptison, the OEK, and the governors of each state, have together passed a very strongly worded resolution which has been sent to the US Congress. Belau is still waiting for a response.
An earlier meeting between Belauan leaders and the DOI at the end of July failed to reach any solution. On 26 July, the combined parliamentary leadership wrote to the UN Trusteeship Council, protesting against the US' moves. At a time when the UN is renewing its call for an end to decolonization (the Trust Territory of the Pacific is on the Decolonization Committee's list), the moves by the US DOI stand in glaring contradiction.
The legislatures in both Guam and the Northern Marianas have passed resolutions protesting against the secretarial order. Newspapers in Guam have reported that US Congressman Ron DeLugo, who has been involved with Belauan issues in the past, has also objected to the 'direct rule' proposal.
The proposed bill was originally scheduled to take effect on 31 July, but no resident commissioner has yet appeared on the islands.
Belauans are appealing for international support. Two things they are urging are that people:
- Write to the UN Trusteeship Council (with a copy to the UN Decolonization Committee), protesting at this violation of the responsibilities of the US as administering power. UN Headquarters, New York, NY 10017.
- Send a message of support to the leadership in Belau, c/o Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, OEK, Koror, Belau 96940, fax: 680.9.488.2633.
Source: Pacific News Bulletin (Australia), 9 September, 1990, pp.1-2
Contact: Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, P0 Box 489, Petersham NSW 2049, Australia.
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