Palau and the U.S. agree on hospital, pension aid and third-country nationals in Palau
On Dec. 24, Palau and the United States signed two memorandums of understanding that will see Washington expand support for Palau’s health, security, pensions and education infrastructure, and an agreement for Palau to accept up to 75 third country nationals who entered the U.S. without authorization but have no known criminal history.
President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke in the early morning hours (Palau time) about a series of initiatives, to include the $7.5 million grant and the third-country nations, according to press releases from the Office of the President of Palau and the U.S. Department of State.
The State Department said the leaders discussed the new migration MOU alongside initiatives on the Belau National Hospital, law enforcement, maritime security and Palau’s civil service pension system.
Under the migration MOU, Palau will have the option to receive up to 75 third country nationals in small groups, roughly 10 at a time, with each case subject to Palau’s approval and advance vetting to confirm there is no known criminal history. The individuals will be allowed to live and work in Palau under conditions set by Palauan authorities, with a national working group of lawmakers, traditional leaders and state officials screening arrivals and monitoring community impacts.
U.S. Ambassador to Palau Joel Ehrendreich and Palau Minister of State Gustav Aitaro signed the memorandums of understanding on third-country nationals and a grant. Standing from left) Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil, Melekeok State Speaker Jefferson Thomas; Airai State Governor Norman Ngiratecheboet; Peleleiu State Governor Dr. Emais Roberts, and President Surangel S. Whipps Jr.; and from the House of Delegates Speaker Gibson Kanai, Del. Johnston B. Aderkeroi, and Floor Leader Warren Umetaro. Seated atleft is Ngirturong Peter Sugiyama and at right is Bilung Gloria Salii, representing traditional male and female councils in Palau. Photo courtesy of the Office of the President of Palau
Whipps said the decision followed months of discussions with Palau’s traditional and elected leadership. Additionally, at the behest of members of the OEK and Council of Chiefs earlier this year, Whipps created a working group to discuss the U.S. request. The U.S. will provide about $7.5 million to help Palau cover housing, public service and infrastructure needs related to the resettlement program.
“This has never been just a policy question on paper, but a decision about people seeking safety and stability and about the serious migration pressures faced by the United States,” Palau’s press release said. “Palau would have to agree on a case-by-case basis as to individuals who will be arriving in Palau under the arrangement. Each person will be screened through Palau’s national working group, and the government will continue open communication with the OEK, traditional leaders, and the public as implementation proceeds.”
In a separate MOU, also signed Dec. 24, Washington pledged to support the relocation and construction of a new Belau National Hospital, building on a $2.37 million U.S. Trade and Development Agency feasibility study now underway to identify and design a safer site. U.S. officials said the project aims to modernize Palau’s main medical facility, reduce the need for patients to travel overseas and expand the range of services available in Palau. Another goal of the new hospital is providing health and counseling services to veterans of the U.S. military residing in Palau.
The U.S. will also provide $6 million on top of a prior $20 million grant to help stabilize Palau’s civil service pension system and support reforms aimed at protecting retirees.
And Washington will fund around $2 million in new law enforcement programs, including a six month anti corruption and counter drug trafficking adviser, a maritime domain awareness adviser to work with the U.S. Coast Guard and Palau authorities, and a cybersecurity adviser to help defend government networks. The package also includes investment screening assistance, potential border security expertise and continued use of sanctions targeting transnational criminal networks and malign foreign businesses operating in the region.
In related news, U.S. Embassy announcements in October highlighted new U.S. support under the Compact Review Agreement will bolster key sectors such as education, health and infrastructure across Palau, describing the funding as pivotal to helping Palauans “thrive in a supportive and resilient environment.” Those updates also noted progress on the USTDA funded feasibility work for the Belau National Hospital and broader investments intended to strengthen essential public services.
On Dec. 17, Whipps and U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs William W. Hague joined local public school students and faculty in cutting the ribbon on $8.5 million Compact Renewal Agreement Maintenance Fund projects at four schools:
$5.03 million in comprehensive repairs and upgrades at Palau High School;
$773,500 at Meyuns Elementary School;
$1.99 million at Koror Elementary School; and
$800,600 at George B. Harries Elementary School.
The projects ranged from structural repairs and upgraded electrical systems to dual air conditioning units in every classroom, new restrooms and showers, facilities for students with disabilities, concrete benches, new waiting sheds and improved parking areas. mbj
Hugh Cavill, director of government affairs for the Cruise Lines International Association, said Micronesia is positioned well for cruise-based tourism.
The launch of additional PAL flights will not only add to the airline’s expansion into the Micronesia region, but will allow passengers direct flights with the airline, rather than any transit in Guam or Tokyo.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced in a Nov. 10 release in Washington, D.C. “key developments in its offshore critical minerals planning, with the completion of Area Identification offshore American Samoa and the release of a Request for Information and Interest for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
