§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise in the United Nations Security Council the United States plan to use one third of the land area of Belau for military facilities in return for aid, in contravention of the United Nations trusteeship terms governing the United States relationship with Belau (Palau); and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarUnder the terms of the compact of free association agreed between the United States and Palau (Belau), the United States is to remain responsible for Palau's defence. We understand, however, that the United States Government have stated that they have no intention at present of situating military bases in Palau. The levels of United States economic assistance to Palau were freely negotiated and agreed by the United States and Palau. In these circumstances we see no need to raise the matter at the Security Council.