KOROR (PALAU): There is a lot going on in the Republic of Palau, a country of over 300 islands and around 20,000 people southeast of the Philippines. Its strategic location has meant Palau has been subject to waves of colonization. Japan was there from 1914 to 1944. Then, on September 15th, 1944, the United States Marines and Army executed a major amphibious landing on the Palauan island of Peleiu and, two days later, on the neighboring island of Angaur.
The remnants of the brutal fight linger. At a ceremony on Peleliu last week commemorating the 80th anniversary of the battle, the remains of a recently uncovered American serviceman started the long journey back home. Paluans remember what it was like when their home became a battle field.
After the war, Palau, along with other Japanese possessions in the Pacific, became a United Nations Trust Territory, under the U.S. responsibility.
Following a long process, Palau become independent and signed a ‘Compact of Free Association’ with the United States. The Compact gives the U.S. extensive defence and security rights and responsibilities in Palau, allows Palauans to live and work freely in the U.S. (including serving in the U.S. military), and provides Palauans with a range of U.S. government financial support and services (including in-state tuition fees for Palauans in the U.S.).
The closeness of the relationship is unique, shared only with fellow former Japanese colonies Federates States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands.
This week, some remaining elements of the periodic Compact renewal will be signed by Palau and the United States on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. And on October 1st, Palau will celebrate 30 years of independence.
Meanwhile, the lack of widespread understanding of the complexity of the relationship allows it to be used by those wishing to label it “American Imperialism”, often as part of a wider narrative. Just before a recent key meeting between American and Palauan officials in Palau, an article from titled “US maintains military grip over ‘sovereign’ Pacific island states” was widely circulated.
It came from a think tank that is partly funded by a bank with a CEO/Chairman who, according to a letter from six Members of Congress: “served as the executive director of the China Overseas Exchange Association (COEA) which is a front organization for the United Front Work Department (UFWD). UFWD is a Chinese intelligence service whose mission is to liaison with foreign political parties, influence operations, and collect intelligence.” This raised questions about the timing of the article and its purpose.
Given the questioning of Palau’s sovereignty at such an important time, including Palauan elections in November, The Sunday Guardian spoke with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.
Q: What was the process of Palau becoming independent?
A: [For centuries] we didn’t have a choice. The Spanish claimed us. And then the Germans bought us from the Spanish. And then the Japanese inherited us from the Germans because of World War One. And then the U.S. took us from the Japanese [in World War Two]. And [then] we were [a United Nations] Trust Territory [administered by the U.S.] for 50 years.
Under the trusteeship agreement, the responsibility the United States had was to eventually move these islands to self-governance. How we do that was the challenge. Is it total independence? Is it a Commonwealth? Is it a territory? The people in Palau really wanted to govern themselves. And so that’s the beginning of this concept of ‘free association’.
In the 1970s the first concepts came out. The compact was really finally negotiated in 1983 and signed by Lazarus Salii. But getting the votes required to have it passed [by the people] in Palau was difficult. There were seven referendums to try to get it passed. That’s because our Constitution is a nuclear free constitution.
It was not a good time for Palau, those Pro Compact people got to where it became violent. People lost their lives. The first president was assassinated. One of the fathers of one of the advocates that was opposing [the Compact] was also shot. And there were bombings.
But I guess when you’re struggling for independence, that’s usually what happens, right? You want it to be peaceful, but sometimes it isn’t. We went through that, there was an amendment done to the Constitution. So, finally, in 1994 when the Compact was approved by Palau, we gained our independence.
This year is a celebration of that journey. It hasn’t been easy from the beginning till now. I think people had hoped for more economic growth, more prosperity, but the partnership with the United States, the partnership with Japan, Taiwan [Palau recognizes Taiwan], our allies, is so important because we’ve got to build that strong economic base.
Q: There is more American military interest in Palau. Especially given Palau recognizes Taiwan and your strategic location, does that put Palau at risk?
A: One of the things that people [say] is we’re militarizing the islands. I think that’s just a Chinese statement, because in reality it’s not about militarizing the islands. We have a special relationship with the United States. The United States has made it very clear we’re part of the homeland when it comes to security – and presence is deterrence.
We want to maintain peace. We want to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. We understand our location and our responsibility in maintaining peace in the Pacific. Part of that partnership is we don’t have a military, but our citizens are allowed to serve in the US military, hand in hand with the US military, defending freedom.
We’re grateful that for an island nation of 20,000 people, we can be independent and not fear that we will be invaded. So, I don’t see it as militarization. I see it as presence as deterrence and, as Reagan said, peace through strength.
Q: What does independence mean to you?
A: I think independence is being able to truly have the freedom to decide how your country is developed, how you chart a path forward, how you take care of your people. And that’s what we have in Palau. We choose how we govern ourselves, how we take care of our people. That’s what’s most important about the freedom that we have.
Q: Are there attempts to undermine your sovereignty from other countries – for example China?
A: We already see it. Whether it’s unwanted vessels in our waters or sea mounts being given names by other countries [China] when they’re within our extended continental shelf. We’re a small island. We need allies to help us defend our sovereignty and to ensure that we can be independent and that the rule of law is maintained and we can all live peacefully with mutual respect for each other.
Q: Some say the Compact and the relationship with the U.S. affects your independence. Does it?
A:I think that’s going to continue to be a message that’s out there – I find it all over the Pacific. [Sometimes it’s presented as] creating this ‘zone of peace’, so keep everybody out. But if you keep everybody out, you’re vulnerable, right? We saw that with the Philippines. The Hague has said they’re their reefs, but another country has already taken them. So, whatever the zone of peace is, it has to be through strength. That’s how you create that zone of peace, and that’s why it’s important to have our partners support us.
The U.S. has been a very trusted partner. And one thing that the US has demonstrated over and over again is they don’t get involved in local politics and trying to govern the way we do things. It was said that this new Compact somehow has given the US more control over our sovereignty, which is totally baseless and untrue. The economic assistance in the Compact is really about helping us become more independent, more economically resilient and, when you’re partners, especially if you’re giving economic assistance, it’s only fair that you want to see that economic assistance used in the best way possible to ensure that it helps improve lives, right?
I think as being good stewards, it’s our responsibility demonstrate to our partners that whatever you invest in Palau we will spend it wisely to the benefit of the people and to build that prosperity that we want to see in the Pacific. That’s how I look at it.
Cleo Paskal is a columnist with The Sunday Guardian and Non-Resident Senior Fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.