'Only strength can ensure peace': Palau President Whipps Jr.

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.

- CLEO PASKAL

Its strategic location has meant Palau has been subI ject to waves of colonization. I 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 E 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.