Your watching the "Weekend Report" for January 23, 2009 (requires Quicktime 7.4)

Below is the text vesion of the weekend report with headlines from around Palau and the Pacific.

This week marks the first week of the Toribiong Presidency.

At the top of the news this week is President Toribiong’s has announcement that Palau has lost its right to vote in the United Nations.  Palau’s vote in the UN is one of its most valuable political tools.   Palau lost its right to vote as a result of failing to pay its dues.  Palau’s past dues exceed  $100,000.

Also in the headlines, is the long awaited first PSB trial.   Defendant Emory Mesubed, former VP and Operations manager of the bank was found not guilty of money laundering and cheating.   Assistant Attorney General Michael Copeland was the prosecuting attorney.   This is the same attorney who has been appointed as the Special Prosecutor under the new administration.  His appointment has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.  The judge found that Copeland did not prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Independent Counsel Louis Harley, well known for dismissing many of the pending PSB cases just dismissed ANOTHER case, this one against Mario Guilbert.  Harley also announced his resignation this week.

President Toribiong announced the appointments of:
Ernistine Rengil as the Attorney General
Victorio Ucherbelau was named his legal and legislative advisor.
Former Director of Foreign Affairs Isaac Soaladaob as Acting Chief of Staff and according to the President he will remain as Chief of Staff until his appointment is rescinded or a new chief of staff is nominated. 
His other nominees include:  Johnny Gibbons as Minister of Justice, Jackson Ngiraingas as Minister of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce; Dr. Kuartei as Minister of Health, Masa-Aki Emesiochl as Minister of Education, Scott Yano as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs; and Youlsau Bells as Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism.  He has yet to name his Minister of State. 
Each of these nominees require Senate confirmation.
President Toribiong has wasted no time in contacting the US designate  for Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to set a time schedule for the Compact Review.  The President has announced that he will remain personally involved in the review and has urged the OEK for an expedited confirmation of Joshua Koshiba as Compact Chief negotiator.

Palau’s leading industry, tourism, saw a sharp decline in its number of tourists this year, compared to last year, of nearly 10,000 visitors or nearly a 10% drop. 

The Governor’s Association has publicly stated its desire to establish a trade office between Palau and Malaysia.  This has been held up due to Palau not having diplomatic ties with Malaysia.  The delegation of private businessmen from Malaysia who were in Palau for the inauguration have invited the 16 state governors to Malaysia.

The 7th OEK was not able to override the President’s veto of the 367 page bill that contained huge pay increases to executive officers, legalized gambling, created offshore corporation registration and shipping registration.  The hope was that these four controversial bills could pass at the 12th hour but that did not happen.

The minimum wage bill which would have increased the minimum wage from $2.50 to $3 died also died in the 7th OEK.

Senate President Mlib Tmetchul did not agree with former President Remengesau’s objection to Senator Diaz’s appointment as the Credential Committee Chair.   As the Committee Chair, Senator Diaz recommended that former President Remengesau not be sworn in on January 15th and that he wait until January 27th.   Remengesau objected and was sworn in on January 15th, just after the installation of the new President.

Former Japan Prime Minister announced that the Japan government will upgrade tto a full size embassy by next year.

Two men were found floating for 25 days in an ice box after their fishing boat sank in the seas off of Australia.   They were found alive but were severely dehydrated and drank 4 pints of water each when rescued.

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