Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KOROR30
2009-02-27 00:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Koror
Cable title:
PALAU: SPECIAL PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN
how-toR 270005Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY KOROR TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1094 DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC FBI WASHINGTON DC DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC INFO AMEMBASSY KOROR
UNCLAS KOROR 000030
DEPT FOR EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PS EFIN KCOR PREL
SUBJECT: PALAU: SPECIAL PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN
INVESTIGATION OF HIGH RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
UNCLAS KOROR 000030
DEPT FOR EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PS EFIN KCOR PREL
SUBJECT: PALAU: SPECIAL PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN
INVESTIGATION OF HIGH RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
1. On February 26, Palau's Special Prosecutor Michael P.
Copeland hand-delivered a request to Charge Bezner seeking
assistance from the Government of the United States to
investigate allegations of corruption of high level government
officials within Palau. The request is made pursuant to Article
IV of the Compact of Free Association's Guam Accord, Section
(2) (a) and (3).
2. The Office of the Special Prosecutor is seeking
additional investigative and auditing support on ongoing
investigation of alleged criminal activity of high ranking
government officials. The alleged criminal activities involve
fraud and money laundering, more specifically, the connection
between the allegations and the Government of the United States
in:
a. Misappropriation of US grants
b. High ranking government officials who are laundering
their money in the United States
c. Some of the proceeds of these crimes are in the United
States
d. And a criminal activity entirely of Palauan in nature,
which comes pursuant to the Guam Compact Accord
3. We will scan and forward the Special Prosecutor's
request to EAP/ANP.
4. Comment: This request appears to be the first time since
independence that the Office of the Special Prosecutor is making
a serious effort to investigate high level corruption here.
Given the nature of Palau, its culture and its government, it is
highly unlikely that the SOP will be able to carry this out
without assistance. Embassy Koror urges US government law
enforcement agencies to assist.
BEZNER
DEPT FOR EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PS EFIN KCOR PREL
SUBJECT: PALAU: SPECIAL PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN
INVESTIGATION OF HIGH RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
1. On February 26, Palau's Special Prosecutor Michael P.
Copeland hand-delivered a request to Charge Bezner seeking
assistance from the Government of the United States to
investigate allegations of corruption of high level government
officials within Palau. The request is made pursuant to Article
IV of the Compact of Free Association's Guam Accord, Section
(2) (a) and (3).
2. The Office of the Special Prosecutor is seeking
additional investigative and auditing support on ongoing
investigation of alleged criminal activity of high ranking
government officials. The alleged criminal activities involve
fraud and money laundering, more specifically, the connection
between the allegations and the Government of the United States
in:
a. Misappropriation of US grants
b. High ranking government officials who are laundering
their money in the United States
c. Some of the proceeds of these crimes are in the United
States
d. And a criminal activity entirely of Palauan in nature,
which comes pursuant to the Guam Compact Accord
3. We will scan and forward the Special Prosecutor's
request to EAP/ANP.
4. Comment: This request appears to be the first time since
independence that the Office of the Special Prosecutor is making
a serious effort to investigate high level corruption here.
Given the nature of Palau, its culture and its government, it is
highly unlikely that the SOP will be able to carry this out
without assistance. Embassy Koror urges US government law
enforcement agencies to assist.
BEZNER