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Obama Administration Urges Legislative Branch To Move Forward on Palau Compact Funding

On July 4th, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Public Affairs Kurt Campbell explained how budget cuts needs to be made in the U.S in order to identify funding for Palau’s Compact agreement.

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As it turns out, the U.S. House of Representatives will not consider the proposed Palau Compact funding legislation of $194 million dollars until the Obama Administration provides an acceptable and specific offset in savings to the US Treasury.

The Obama Administration has taken on this challenge. In a letter dated August 4, 2011, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget responded directly to the US House of Representatives and identified several specific and viable offsets to the Palau Compact legislation which were included in President Obama’s 2012 Budget.

Director Lew pointed out these proposals in the Obama’s budget, such as sharing of costs between states and the federal government from the energy and minerals programs and elimination of certain coal mine programs, that if administered would create sizable savings to the US treasury, more than enough to offset the Palau Agreement. The Executive Branch in turn has requested that the House enact the Compact legislation and reaffirm its close partnership with the Republic of Palau.

PALAU’S CONGRESS DEADLOCK

Palau’s bi-cameral legislature cannot agree on what sources of funds are available to supplement this years budget. One major disagreement seems to be whether it is appropriate to grab at the Green Fee collections to fund the government’s shortfall.

The House of Delegates argues that the Green Fee was intended by law to be used only for distribution to state governments in the protection and maintenance of their Protected Areas Network (PAN) sites. The Senate on the other hand is urging use of $600,000 from the Green Fee collections to fund Water & Sewer Operations. The House of Delegates has wholly rejected the Senate’s demand to reprogram the Environmental Green Fee.
 
With the House and Senate unable to reach a compromise, the president’s supplemental budget request is caught in this gridlock.

The President has indicated that passage of the supplemental budget is critical to the continued operations of his office and that very soon he will have to send home workers and use a skeleton volunteer staff.

PALAU’S SENATOR DIAZ ESCAPES PUNISHMENT FOR HIS ADMITTED CRIMINAL WRONGDOING

In May 2009, Senator Alfonso Diaz was charged in a eight-count criminal complaint by the Special Prosecutor’s Office.  The counts alleged that Diaz misused his position as a Senator for his own personal gain, unlawfully interfered with private business and committed these criminal acts in violation of the code of ethics. In November 2009, Senator Diaz admitted to these facts and his admissions were filed at Court. With the Special Prosecutor’s office now empty, the case was transferred to the Attorney General’s Office.  On January 5, 2011 the AG’s office stated that they intended to resume their prosecution of Senator Diaz as he had showed no signs of reform. However, in a strange turn of events less than 2 weeks before a trial was scheduled, Jason Loughman of the Attorney General’s office dropped the entire case against Senator Diaz.  Speculation surrounds the reasons for the Attorney General’s dismissal especially when Diaz had already admitted to the criminal acts.  Many believe this latest dismissal by the Attorney General’s Office demonstrates the need for an independent Special Prosecutor in Palau.

FIB questions PMC’s service to PPUC

The Foreign Investment Board Chairman has written a letter to President Toribiong questioning the scope of Palau Mobile Corporations’ services permitted through its Foreign Investment Approval Certificate. The letter stemmed from the corporations recent involvement with PPUC when it installed cable wires from its Palasia office to the Malakal Power Plant in May of this year. Chairman Skebong of FIB asked President Toribiong whether PMC is permitted to provide DSL internet service to PPUC or other businesses under its FIAC, the President in a response letter dated on August 3rd concluded that it does not. He further suggested to FIB to raise the issue with PMC when the corporation renews its license or applies for a new license. OTV was unable to confirm the services provided to PPUC through its contract with PMC, but will continue updating its viewers when more information becomes available.

Palau Emergency Operation Centre Now Open

Palau’s new Emergency Operation Centre opened on Friday 5th August with the President of Palau and the EU Ambassador to Palau amongst the dignitaries in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
 
The construction began only last year and was funded by the EU through the “Disaster Risk Reduction’ project implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.  The total cost of the new building was said to be about US$480,000, but the total EU funding for project was nearly US$800,000.
 
This new Emergency Operation Centre is intended to strengthen Palau’s capacity to provide early warning advisory with state of the art communication equipment.  George Beck, the project manager, explained to OTV that Palau's enhanced capability to provide early advisory warnings should reduce vulnerability, property damage, and save lives in the event of a natural disaster.  It is also anticipated that the centre will enhance Palau’s ability to address post-disaster operations.  The facility will operate not only in times of disaster, but also will provide a venue for training.

Funeral ended with the deceased buried in an unplanned location

About a week ago during a burial ceremony of Felix Gaag Tmilchol in Ngermid, family members of the deceased arrived at the burial site to find out that the hole they dug a few days earlier has been filled up with soil. The stone platform in Ngermid, which belongs to the Ngerukebid clan was where the family wanted the deceased to rest, however both the family and another rival family have had disputes over who has the rightful authority over the clan and the clan lands. When the family was trying to bury the death – the rival family made every effort to stop them from doing so. Police was called to the scene to monitor the situation, but no arrests were made. After some time of arguing and trying to bury the deceased the family eventually gave up and left the coffin without properly burying it. The rival family then put matters into their own hands and took the coffin to Koror State Public Cemetery in Sakurakai where it was buried. Reports indicate that the family of the deceased is planning to file a lawsuit against the rival family over the matter, however that has not been confirmed.

Presidential task force created to review SS and Pension Plan

After several requests from Palau’s retirees, who are currently receiving limited benefits from the Civil Service Pension Plan, Palau President Toribiong this week decided to create a task force to review not only the Pension Plan and trust system, but also the Social Security. The Pension Plan has had the constant pressure of meeting benefits demand with lack of funding for the last several months. The task force consists of five members including Minister of State Dr. Yano, Presidential Advisor Seit Andres, and others. They will have until October 31st to turn in their findings and recommendations to the President.

President appoints new board members

Major government entities of the Republic of Palau are being moved around through President Toribiong’s new appointments to various boards including the Financial Institutions Commission, Social Security and the National Development Bank of Palau. The President has appointed current Compact Review Ambassador, Joshua Koshiba to Chair NDBP Board of Directors succeeding Rinsang Rechirei. The Social Security board will also see new members, which includes former Palau Ambassador to Taiwan Jackson Henry. Greg Ngirmang, whose term recently expired as the Chairman of FIC will be succeeded by Uroi Salii as appointed by President Toribiong. All names have been turned into the Senate for confirmation.

UN ESCAP holds workshop in Palau

Earlier this month a three-day training workshop was held in Palau on satellite imaging to enhance national disaster emergency response and risk reduction capacity. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific or UN HYPERLINK "http://www.unescap.org/"ESCAP organized the workshop in collaboration with the Government of Palau, PNCC, the Pacific Island Telecommunications Associations and the Secretariat of Pacific Community. The workshop covered topics including availability, access, usefulness and hands-on training of satellite imagery data, and products from experimental, research and thematic satellites, which can be used for disaster response and emergency management in Palau. Fourteen participants from government ministries and agencies including the NEMO, PNCC and the National Weather Service attended the training.

Scientists discover “living fossil” eel in Palau

Scientists from the Smithsonian and partnering organizations have discovered a new eel that inhabits an undersea cave in Palau, which they have dubbed a "living fossil". The team says the eel's features suggest it has a long and independent evolutionary history stretching back 200 million years during the Mesozoic era, when dinosaurs began walking on earth. The animal is brown and has very few of the anatomical characteristics of modern eels. In order to classify the new animal, the researchers had to create a new family, genus and species, then named the animal Protoanguilla palau or P dot palau for short. It features a disproportionately large head, a short compressed body, collar-like openings on the gills, rays on the caudal fin and a jawbone tip known as the premaxilla.

Judiciary adjourns Season Three Biggest Loser Contest

This past year the Judiciary kicked off its third season of a Healthy Lifestyle weight loss program. The courthouse lawyers and staff were divided into five teams with Judges Rudimch, Polloi, Salii, Materne and Foster in charge as captains. Weigh-ins were conducted every two months, with each team left to their own weight-loss program. On August 12, the winners were announced and prizes were awarded as follows: The BIGGEST LOSER INDIVIDUAL WINNER, with the highest percentage of total weight loss at 17.7%, was ROMEO REDDIN from the Marshal’s Division who won 500 dollars, a gift certificate from Surangel’s Grocery store, and a healthy lifestyles workout prize packet. The BIGGEST LOSER TEAM WINNER was TEAM BLUE captained by Judge Rudimch, which lost a total of 82.5 pounds and each team member won a healthy lifestyles workout packet. Congratulations to all the Judiciary participants for getting fit and stay tuned for details on SEASON FOUR, which kicks off on September 6, 2011!

TSP and community members finds better for Kintaro

After nearly six months of providing therapeutic services to Kintaro Ngirameketii, Torsten Schaudt from TSP with help from the Omkulel a bibilia er a Belau, Thomas Shubert and other community members including 7-year old Julia Polloi initiated a fundraiser to purchase a brand new bed with a special air mattress and table to assist Kintaro. The group was able to present the donation earlier this week at Kintaro’s residence in Ngerbodel. Here’s what he had to say.

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Local Palau resident finds place in her home for cats

Have you ever heard of a shelter made especially for cats here in Palau? No - well there is one, one that is run by Clara Kalscheur with some help from volunteers as well as the Koror State Animal Shelter and PAWS. To find out more about the cathouse, OTV’s Rolynda Jonathan met with Clara and the 16 cats she currently takes care of.

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Shock Concert Band debuts their music in Palau

After nearly 26 years of playing variety of music in Taiwan and other places in the world,the Shock Concert Band finally took their music to Palau for a two-hour long performance. Here’s Rolynda with more.

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PCS Environmental news

Now let’s go to Demei of PCS for this week’s Environmental update.

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CNMI Senate urges Guam Legislature to reject bill taxing fuel

The CNMI Senate floor leader Pete Reyes has authored a Senate Joint Resolution urging Guam to reject a bill in their legislature that proposes to eliminate the fuel tax exemption on liquid fuel transshipped through Guam. If the bill passes in Guam Legislature it would affect CNMI, Palau, Marshall Islands, and FSM, as it would further increase the cost of fuel of these respective nations. Reyes further stated in his resolution that “with the continued economic decline throughout the region and the increased cost of living, it is imperative that the government of Guam support the other Micronesian islands and harmoniously work together with their governments in these dire times.” Guam currently serves as a major transshipment center for the entire Micronesian region, including the redistribution of fuel.

Human remains found now homicide case in Saipan

Since a local resident in Kagman found his dog chewing human remains on the Sunday August 14th, the media and local residents have been all over the incident hoping that the authorities found traces of evidence linking the case to the missing Luhk’s sisters. However after processing the crime scene and gathering evidence, the authorities confirmed that there is no link to the Luhk’s sisters nor does the body belong to any of them. The case, which is being treated as a homicide, has kept the authorities from confirming the identity of the remains out of respect to the family, but also due to the pending conclusion of DNA tests. A dental examination of the lower jaw did indicate that the remains belonged to an adult male, who some believe may be the Luhk’s sisters great granduncle. An ID was found in an article of clothing at the scene of the crime, which authorities believe belongs to the victim, but nothing has been confirmed until the DNA tests are complete. Earlier reports from Marianas Variety’s online news revealed that some of the remains where scattered in different areas with most of them located in a lot of an abandoned house. Both the Saipan Crime Scene investigators and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents along with the Department of Public Safety are working together to sold the crime.

ABC TV news crew killed in a helicopter crash

On Thursday three crewmembers from the Australia Broadcasting Company died in a tragic helicopter crash in Australia’s Lake Eyre region. News reporter Paul Lockyer, pilot Gary Ticehurst and cameraman John Bean were filming on location when the helicopter went down. Witnesses saw the helicopter going down in flames, yet it is still unclear what caused the accident. All three men were said to be veterans of the industry and at the peak of their craft. OTV sends its deepest sympathies to the ABC crew and to the family and friends of the three crash victims.

Three nations to observe upcoming 42nd PIF in New Zealand

Three representatives of the U.S Insular Areas from American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands has been designated as observers at the upcoming 42d Pacific Islands Forum in New Zealand this September. The observer designation resulted from the U.S Department of State’s request to the Pacific Island Forum. The decision was made also due to years of pressure from various island leaders who sought inclusion and even raised the issue at the Annual Interagency Group on Insular Areas meetings. The Pacific Island Forum formerly called South Pacific Forum consists of 16 Pacific Island members including Palau, Marshall Islands and FSM.

PangeaSeed raises awareness on regional shark conservation

A Tokyo-based grassroots organization dubbed, PangeaSeed, dedicated to raising awareness about shark conservation is currently visiting Palau just weeks after the Micronesian leaders declared Micronesia to be the largest shark sanctuary in the world. I caught up with PangeaSeed’s director, Tre Packard outside of the studio to find out more.

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Taiwan Mobile Medical Mission visiting Pacific Islands

Every year the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund send out a team of medical experts called the Taiwan Mobile Medical Mission to six Pacific Island nations, which includes Palau and the Marshall Islands to assist with medical care. This week a team of five Doctor’s in medical fields ranging from Optometry, Acupuncture and Dental are in Palau providing free medical services. Here’s Rolynda with more.

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Marshall Islands leaders concerned about aborted US tests

Kwajalein leaders are expressing worry about safety of their atoll and other islands after a missile re-entry vehicle was blown up northeast of Kwajalein, and a hypersonic glider disappeared on its way to a target near Kwajalein. “It ditched — but where?” asked Kwajalein Senator Tony deBrum of the Falcon hypersonic glider that is so fast it can reach any point on the globe in one hour. Kwajalein Senator Michael Kabua said that he has received no information directly from the US Army regarding the aborted Minuteman missile test several weeks ago or last week’s Falcon failure. Senator Kabua noted that inhabited islands that are “northeast” of Kwajalein include Ailuk and three others. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that after reaching an undisclosed sub-orbital altitude, the Falcon aircraft separated from its protective cover atop a rocket, then nose-dived back toward Earth, leveled out and was supposed to glide above the Pacific at 20 times the speed of sound. “The plan was for the Falcon to speed westward for 30 minutes before plunging into the ocean near Kwajalein Atoll,” the LA Times reported. But about 20 minutes into the mission, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced it had lost contact with the glider.

Marshall Islands film wins “best” award at US film festival

A movie filmed and produced in the Marshall Islands won the “Best International Feature Film” award after its premiere at the recent Columbia Gorge International Film Festival in Vancouver, Washington. The film, “Lañinbwil’s Gift,” is a 99-minute story of how a demon possesses a pregnant woman to terrorize her archenemy, an older woman who is skilled in black magic, in a classic battle of good versus evil. It is the third in a series of films produced since 2009 by Majuro residents Jack Niedenthal and Suzanne Chutaro. “There were over 300 films from 40 countries, so this is truly a great accomplishment for all of us who have worked so hard on these films over the past four years in an attempt to show young Marshallese people that their lives are worthy of exploration in film,” said Niedenthal. Lañinbwil’s Gift won the “Jury Prize” for Best International Feature Film. “It was quite thrilling as this comes from the 20-odd people that watched every film and judged them — as opposed to an audience award,” Niedenthal said. The film is expected to come out on DVD next month.

Couple Pleads Guilty in a U.S. Federal Court for human trafficking violations

A couple that has been residing in Washington State pled guilty in a U.S. federal court earlier this month for document servitude. 29 year old Edk Kenit and 31 year old Choimina Lukas from Chuuk state was accused of forcing an 18-year-old, also from Chuuk, to serve as their unpaid personal servant. Federal prosecutors say Kenit and Lukas took control of the victim’s passport, obtained a Social Security card in the victim's name, found her full-time work at a chicken processing plant and forced her to give them her earnings as part of their scheme. The victim was also expected to provide childcare and cook and clean for them without compensation. Officials say the scheme lasted nearly a year before the victim escaped this past February. They each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to 250 thousand dollars. Bloggers on the MicSem Forum website displayed mixed feelings on the charges because U.S. officials may not understand the extended family culture that Micronesians practice while others showed no sympathy for people who violate human rights.

Chuuk gov’t reportedly without an AG and Governor

Rumors has been circulating in the Federated States of Micronesia namely in Chuuk that its government is without an Attorney General and Governor. Rumors may have stemmed from the upcoming Chuuk Special Election seeking a Governor and Lieutenant Governor. When FSM President Mori vacated his seat in the FSM Congress, former Chuuk Governor Simina took over after winning the seat. The Lieutenant Governor then took over the Gubernatorial seat in an acting capacity, however the Chuuk Constitution requires that when a seat is vacated by a sitting Governor with more than one year remaining in the term, will require a special election to fill in the vacancy. Candidates include a running mate to fill in the Lieutenant Governor position. The special election is set for Wednesday August 24th. As for the Chuuk Attorney General rumor, Joses Gallen has stated that is not true. He is still the AG and sources say he is currently in Guam attending a meeting.

Governor Anefal of Yap talks about Climate Change

Last week while Governor Anefal of Yap was in Palau, OTV took the opportunity and spoke to him in about tourism, culture and climate change matters. Here’s what he had to say about Climate change and its impact to the people of Yap.

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Compose a song and enter the Pacific Break Contest

A few months ago, the ABC Radio Australia Pacific Break music contest opened throughout the entire pacific region. Pacific Break is a music competition searching for the best original unsigned musical talent in the Pacific, giving emerging Pacific artists an opportunity to have their unpublished music heard. Entry is easy just send in your original work on MP3, CD or tape. Every week on Radio Australia the best entries will be showcased. The winning entry will be announced on October and will play at the Fest’Napuan music festival in Vanuatu on November. If you have a song prepared and are ready for recording, OTV will assist you. Call us 488-6884 to find out more details.

Palau’s first ever flashmob!

During the last wet your whistle event at Airai Water Paradise, the audience and participants witnessed Palau’s first flashmob performance complete with a big pool, lifejackets, and whistles. Take a look.

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