Palau supports US against Cuba for aid

Updated October 30, 2009 18:18:14

The Palau Minister of State has admitted that the Government supports United States' embargo against Cuba to coax more aid from the United States.
The U-S, Israel and Palau were the only three countries who supported the trade embargo in a U-N General Assembly vote earlier this week. 187 countries voted against the embargo. Meanwhile, Palau is negotiating with the United States over foreign aid. The U-S has offered 156 million U-S dollars for the next 15 years, Palau wants at least 225 million.

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.