for self-rule
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
The people vote for self-rule
AS this edition of PIM was going to Press on November 10, residents of alau voted to approve self-rule and to endorse a political, economic and military pact with the United States.
With about 47 per cent of the vote counted and the margin of approval widening, the vote was 3225, or 64 per cent, yes, and 1793, or 36 per cent, no.
As the island’s trustee, the United States has administered Palau’s affairs. The Compact of Free As sociation allows Palauans self-rule and provides a total of nearly US$45O million in US economic aid.
The 50-year pact has failed in seven plebiscites since 1983, always getting more than 50 per cent of the vote but never the required 75 per cent. However, Palauans approved a constitutional amendment last year requiring the pact get only a simple majority for passage. Under the pact, the US military can operate on Palau in a crisis and open two
military bases.
The United States would be re sponsible for Palau’s defence, and other countries would be denied military access to the region. The United States also would clean up nuclear or toxic accidents in its waters. Nuclear, biological and chemical warfare materials would be prohibited. □