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10/29/09 - Radio Australia - Palau supports US against Cuba for aid

Presenter: James Oaten
Speaker: Palau's Minister of State, Sandra Pierantozzi

PIERANTOZZI: Well, we have always voted with the United States on that
issue,
and with the United States on many other issues at the United Nations. We
have a
very close relationship with the United States called Free Association under
the
Compact of the Association and so to find an ally, we have been supporting
them.

OATEN: But what were the reasons, was it purely to show that you are friends
with the United States or where there concerns about what was happening in
Cuba?

PIERANTOZZI: We have no diplomatic relations with Cuba and we are currently
considering what our present situation is and there has been on the table
for
sometime possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba and we
notice also that Cuba has been making a presence known in the Pacific and
there
are benefits to be derived from there. But we want to make sure that there
are
no atrocities or violation of human rights with countries that we want to
establish relations with.

OATEN: But the vote was 187 to 3 in opposition against the embargo? So 187
countries around the world feel that the embargo should be in place?

PIERANTOZZI: Right, It's still a free world, right, but Palau expect to vote
any
way it wants without pressure from everybody.

OATEN: But if you're trying to establish relations with Cuba or your
considering
it I should say diplomatic relations with Cuba, do you think that this vote
in
support of the embargo will hamper those efforts?

PIERANTOZZI: Like I said, we're still thinking about it. Right now, we have
nothing coming from Cuba or arranged with Cuba, and so it's not time yet for
us
to change our position. Like I said, we're still a free country and we're
still
a free country in the world and we're free to decide when and how we act and
so
right now that is our vote and it might change, I do not know. Well, we also
like for the United States to change its views. We would like to know what
the
rest of the world is doing.

OATEN: So it really is if America changes, Palau will change as well?

PIERANTOZZI: No, we don't necessarily have to follow the United States, but
it
might be a consideration. We have a very strong relationship with the United
States and we don't want to jeopardise that relationship, because it would
affect Palau's economic welfare.

OATEN: Okay, well on that point, the United States and Palau are in
negotiations
at the moment. Since Palau became independent, the US has given direct
assistance. Now that's been over the last 15 years, that's been 225 million.
Washington says now for the next period of time, it's willing to give 156
million dollars. Palau wants at least 225 million like it originally
received
from the United States. How much is this influencing Palau's decision to
vote
with the United States? Does Palau want more aid from the United States and
that
is why they are voting with the United States on this issue?

PIERANTOZZI: Well, we have voted with the United States since day one.

OATEN: But are these negotiations to get more foreign aid from the United
States
than its currently proposed, are they influencing Palau's decision?

PIERANTOZZI: Oh, we hope so, well, we hope so, well, we hope so. Like I
said,
Palau has always been voting this way.

OATEN: And Palau also recently agreed to take 13 Uighur detainees from the
US
detention centre from Guatanamo Bay. Was that also related to the
negotiations
over aid?

PIERANTOZZI: No, because somebody in the press came out saying Palau was
doing
this in exchange for 200 million dollars. That is completely wrong. Palau
accepted the United States request and Palau also is mindful of the fact
that it
is a member of the community of nations and we try to do our part and I
don't
know why the Uighurs have to be an issue, because we have refugees from
Myanmar
that are being put here in Palau nobody seems to be paying attention to
them,
especially the UNHCR from Australia which have come here, talk to them, why
is
the light being put on the Uighurs and not the other refugees?

OATEN: Okay, and finally then, as I said before, the United States has
proposed
it will give Palau 156 million US dollars over the next 15 years. Palau
wants
225. There is negotiations going on at the moment. Could you give us an
update
on how these negotiations are going?

PIERANTOZZI: The final offer from the United States was made. We have
economic
analysis of the offer from the United States and if they were to accept
standing
offer of the United States at this time, it would definitely lower Palau's
GDP
and the standard of living of Palauns for the next 15 years and for us the
leadership that is not acceptable for our people.