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| Palauan leaders meet with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne on Feb. 25, 2008. From left Steve McGann, Director of East Asia and Pacific, U.S. State Department; Surangel Whipps, President of the Palau Senate; Kasmir Remengesau (in back), Director of Budget; Secretary Kempthorne; Vann Isaac (in back), Office of the President; Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.; Billy Kuartei, Chief of Staff, Office of the President; Hersey Kyota, Palau Ambassador to the United States; Noah Idechong, Vice Speaker of the House. Photo by Tami Heilemann |
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne met with the President of the Republic of Palau Tommy Remengesau on Feb. 25, 2008 to discuss a number of topics, including the possibility of creating a National Heritage Area on the Palau island of Peleliu to commemorate that important World War II battle, and the upcoming Review of the Compact of Free Association.
Secretary Kempthorne thanked President Remengesau for Palau’s continued support for the War on Terror and Palauan citizens who continue to join the U.S. military. President Remengesau stressed the importance of security and stability in Palau and the importance of the relationship between Palau and the United States.
Secretary Kempthorne, who visited Palau last June and toured the U.S.-built Babeldaob Road, congratulated Remengesau on being honored and recognized last October as one of Time Magazine’s Heroes of the Environment. Remengesau is in Washington, D.C., to participate in the 10th Annual Coral Reef Task Force meeting.