Palau invites U.S. to build bases as China seeks regional clout The Japan Times 20200904

 【縛雞之見】

Before acquire the full text of the Letter that the Palau President Tomy Remengesau hand delivered to U. S. SecDef Mark Esper, the following report helps us to get a better picture. 

Palau invites U.S. to build bases as China seeks regional clout    The Japan Times 20200904

While Palau is an impartial nation, it has no army and the US is liable for its defence below a settlement with Washington referred to as the Compact of Free Association.

The tiny Pacific nation of Palau has urged the United States army to construct bases on its territory – which lies in a area the place Washington is pushing again towards rising Chinese affect. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper visited the island nation final week and accused Beijing of “ongoing destabilising activities” within the Pacific.

Palau President Tommy Remengesau later revealed he instructed Esper the US army was welcome to construct amenities in his nation, an archipelago about 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) east of the Philippines.

“Palau’s request to the US military remains simple — build joint-use facilities, then come and use them regularly,” he stated in a letter to the US defence chief that his workplace launched this week.  The be aware, addressed to Esper and marked “by hand delivery, Koror. Palau,” stated the nation of 22,000 was open to internet hosting land bases, port amenities and airfields for the US army.

Remengesau additionally urged a US Coast Guard presence in Palau to assist patrol its huge marine reserve, which covers a space of ocean the scale of Spain and is troublesome for the tiny nation to observe.

While Palau is an impartial nation, it has no army and the US is liable for its defence below a settlement with Washington referred to as the Compact of Free Association.

Under the deal, the US army has entry to the islands, though it presently has no troops completely stationed there.

“We should use the mechanisms of the Compact to establish a regular US military presence in Palau,” Remengesau stated.

“The US military’s right to establish defense sites in the Republic of Palau has been underutilised for the entire duration of the Compact.”

‘Predatory economics’

He stated bases in Palau wouldn’t solely enhance US army preparedness but in addition assist the native economic system, which is struggling because the Covid-19 pandemic has halted tourism, its primary business.  Palau was the scene of bloody preventing between US and Japanese forces in World War II however Washington centered on bases within the Philippines and Guam after the battle.

A US army radar facility is deliberate for Palau however building has been suspended due to the pandemic, with the island nation eager to retain its virus-free standing.  In addition to its shut US ties, Palau can also be one in all Taiwan’s 4 remaining allies within the Pacific and solely 15 worldwide.

China, which sees Taiwan as a part of its territory, has set about making an attempt to win over Taipei’s allies within the Pacific, persuading the Solomon Islands and Kiribati to modify sides final yr.

Palau has refused, prompting Beijing to successfully ban its vacationers from visiting the nation in 2018.

While not naming China straight, Remengesau instructed Esper “destabilising actors have already stepped forward to take advantage” of the virus-related financial crises that small island nations had been experiencing.

“Mr Secretary, it has been a great relief to hear you, and other top US officials, recognise the complex reality of Indo-Pacific security — which is as threatened by predatory economics as it is by military aggression,” he wrote.

During Esper’s go to final week, which lasted barely three hours, Remengesau stated China was providing low cost loans to island nations to win their loyalty.

“That has an impact on how people view the relationship with those who help them,” he stated.