(U) Secretary Clinton's March 12, 2009

UNCLAS STATE 025834


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PREL PS
SUBJECT: (U) Secretary Clinton's March 12, 2009
Conversation with Palauan President Toribiong


1. (U) March 12, 2009; 11:00 a.m.; Washington.


2. (U) Participants:

U.S.
The Secretary
Joseph E. Macmanus, Executive Assistant to the Secretary
Alcy Frelick, EAP/ANP Director
Mark Bezner, Charge d'Affaires to Palau
Robert Wood, Acting Spokesman
Paul Neville, EAP/ANP (notetaker)

Republic of Palau
President Johnson Toribiong
Sandra S. Pierantozzi, Minister of State
Hersey Kyota, Ambassador to the United States
Stuart Beck, Permanent Represenative to the UN
Regina K. Mesebeluu, Senator


3. (U) Summary. In a March 12 meeting, President
Toribiong reaffirmed the importance of U.S.-Palau
relations, pressed for early USG action to review the
Compact of Free Association, and requested Washington
assign a resident ambassador in Palau. The Secretary
assured Toribiong the Department would work quickly to
review the Compact and expressed appreciation for
Palau's support. End Summary.


4. (U) In a March 12 meeting, President of Palau Johnson
Toribiong conveyed his government's commitment to a
close relationship with the United States and pressed
for the USG to begin the legally-mandated 15-year review
of the Compact of Free Association. Noting the
importance of the United States to Palau's development,
Toribiong requested an extension of Compact provisions
that provide financial support and U.S. federal programs
and services to Palau to the end of FY2010. He welcomed
the assignment of Alcy Frelick as the lead USG
interagency coordinator of the review and said he had
appointed Joshua Koshiba to lead the review for Palau.
Toribiong also requested the United States appoint a
resident ambassador to Palau.


5. (U) The Secretary replied that the Department would
carefully review the Compact and move on it quickly.
She conveyed appreciation for Palau's loyalty and
support, specifically thanking Palau for voting with the
United States on key issues at the UN and for
recognizing Kosovo. She also noted the large number of
Palauans serving in the U.S. military.


CLINTON