13 Mar 2024

Palau Congress divided on US Military presence

From , 6:03 am on 13 March 2024
Palau's national congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) building.

Palau's national congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) building. Photo: Supplied

The Palau Congress is still divided on whether or not the United States Military should have an increased presence in the country.

Last month the house of delegates approved a joint resolution proposing Congress' support of the US military base establishment listing a number of flow-on benefits for locals including improved infrastructure and telecommunications.

However, the resolution is the complete opposite of one put forward by the Senate last year expressing concern about the United States being invited to deploy missile batteries on the island.

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins spoke with RNZ Pacific's Palau correspondent Onerung Kambes Kesolai.