Palau Gains Independence from Trusteeship Agreement with the US

Palau, a Pacific Island nation, has long been under the administration of the United States through the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. However, with the approval of the Compact of Free Association, Palau is about to gain its independence. This shift in status has been in the making since 1986, when the US and Palau signed the Compact, which would come into effect after mutual agreement and the approval of both governments and a plebiscite in Palau. The UN Trusteeship Council concluded that the US had fulfilled its obligations under the Trusteeship Agreement, and Palau had freely exercised its right to self-determination. Now, President Bill Clinton has declared that the Trusteeship Agreement will cease to apply to Palau on October 1, 1994, and the Compact of Free Association will take effect on the same day.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trusteeship Agreement for the Pacific Islands will no longer be in effect with respect to Palau as of October 1, 1994, after 47 years of administration by the United States.
• The Compact of Free Association with the Republic of Palau will enter into force on October 1, 1994, creating a new relationship of free association between Palau and the United States.
• Palau will become a self-governing sovereign state, maintaining ties with the United States through the Compact of Free Association.
• President Clinton has issued a proclamation declaring the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement and the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association with Palau, in accordance with the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Public Laws 99-658 and 101-219.
• The US has fulfilled its obligations under the Trusteeship Agreement, and Palau has freely exercised its right to self-determination.
• Palau will be a sovereign State, no longer subject to the Trusteeship, marking a significant milestone for the nation.
• The United States has agreed to continue its support and partnership with Palau under the Compact of Free Association.

Statistics:

• 47 years: duration of US administration under the Trusteeship Agreement for the Pacific Islands.
• November 3, 1986: effective date of the Covenant between the United States and the Northern Mariana Islands.
• October 21, 1986: effective date of the Compact of Free Association with the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
• November 3, 1986: effective date of the Compact of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia.
• January 10, 1986: US and Palau signed the Compact of Free Association.
• November 9, 1993: United Nations-observed plebiscite in Palau approved the Compact of Free Association.
• May 25, 1994: Trusteeship Council of the United Nations concluded that the US had fulfilled its obligations under the Trusteeship Agreement.
• July 15, 1994: US and Palau agreed on the effective date of the Compact of Free Association as October 1, 1994.
• October 1, 1994: effective date of the Compact of Free Association and the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement.

Sources:

• Joint Resolution to approve the "Compact of Free Association" between the United States and the Government of Palau, approved on November 14, 1986 (Public Law 99-658).
• Joint Resolution to authorize entry into force of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Government of Palau, and for other purposes, approved on December 12, 1989 (Public Law 101-219).
• Public Law 99-239, approving the Compact of Free Association with Palau on January 14, 1986.
• Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America.
• Proclamation issued by President Bill Clinton on September 27, 1994.