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U.S. Senators, Representatives Call For 'Quick Review' Of Palau Compact

By David Miho in Koror
Monday: June 04, 2007

Seven members of the U.S. Congress have formally asked the Bush Administration to fast track its required formal review of Washington’s Compact of Free Association with Palau. The review is key to the upcoming renegotiation of the financial agreement between the two nations.

U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, and New Mexico Senators Peter Domenici and Jeff Bingaman joined U.S. House territorial delegates Eni Faleomavaega (American Samoa), Donna Christensen (Virgin Islands) and Luis Fortuno (Puerto Rico) in urging a quick review. In a letter dated May 24, 2007, they asked Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice to complete the formal review of the Compact and related agreements and " consider the overall nature and development of that relationship.”

Rice serves as chairman of the Interagency Group on Freely Associated State Affairs. The group is responsible to complete the formal review of the Compact and report to the Congress. The congressional group asked that the review be completed by mid-2008.

They explained that this timeframe was essential to "enable adequate time for Congress to then take action on such recommendations before the 2009 expiration date," the letter said.

The letter also made reference to the request last week by several members of the U.S. Congress that the Comptroller General conduct a separate review of the Palau Compact and report to the Congress. That group asked for a report on the use and accountability of U.S. assistance, the condition of Palau's economy, and identify amendments to the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands that might be relevant to the Palau Compact negotiation.