KOROR (Palau Horizon) – Sen. Tommy Remengesau said an appropriate committee should be established to brief the community of the government’s decision to accept the Uighurs detainees to ensure that Palau knows what situation is it getting itself into.
Remengesau in a phone interview said that the issue is too important and added that Congress has to be fully briefed on the matter too.
“The people are not fully informed,” Remengesau said.
The former president and now senator said a need for full briefing is shared by his other colleagues In the Senate.
“We have to know about the social impact, economic impact and political impact of this decision,” Remengesau said.
He said none of the countries have accepted the detainees and Palau seemed to be the first to do so.
He said that the decision is also accompanied by security issues since China has protested the move.
“The real concern is if what we are doing will do more good or will it have a negative effect,” Remengesau said.
When asked for his comment regarding whether the decision was swayed by offer of money from the U.S, Remengesau said only the president can respond to the question.
He however said that Palau “should not be for sale” and that the government ensure that the country’s integrity and reputation protected.
Toribiong in an interview said that prior to his decision , a briefing has been conducted among the Congress leadership.
He however said that once the Palau delegates who flew to Guantamo Bay return to Palau a public briefing will be conducted.
