22 Feb 2024

Palau president calls on Washington to 'listen up'

From , 6:02 am on 22 February 2024
Surangel Whipps Jr in Rarotonga. 7 November 2023.

Surangel Whipps Jr in Rarotonga. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis

Palau's president wants Washington to listen up and push through its Compact of Free Association funding with greater pace.

Surangel Whipps Junior says the situation is so dire, every facet of society is impacted, they're unable to hire police or teachers as they plunge deeper into debt.

He told RNZ Pacific's Lydia Lewis he's ruled out entertaining establishing diplomatic ties with China despite the dire situation his country's in financially.