Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Note on Pronunciation of Palauan Names
The Cast of Characters
Chronology of Events in Palau
The Suicide of President Salii: The Strange Funeral
Palau's Universe: The West Intrudes
The U.S. Invasion: The Brutal Battle for Peleliu
The "Nuclear Free" Constitution; The Compact Fails
Remeliik's Reelection Campaign; The Role of the Compact
The Power Plant Purchase; Great Britain Seeks a U.S. Guarantee
The Assassination of Palau's First President; The Controversial Acquittal
An Unusual Legal Assignment; Greenpeace Enters the Fray
Two-Thirds of the Government Furloughed; Palau Amends Its Constitution; Salii Testifies Under Oath Before the U.S. Congress
The Ibedul and Salii Settle the Compact Case; The Palau Women Refile the Lawsuit
The Case Proceeds to Judgment; Bedor Bins is Murdered
The Women Suddenly Withdraw; Judge Hefner Suggests Intimidation
Washington Reacts; De Lugo and Farrow Mobilize Against the Compact
Salii Stars at the Solarz Committee Hearing; the Women Testify Before the Senate
The Case Filed Once More; Judge Hefner Overrules the Popular Vote; Salii Reluctantly Appeals
Farrow Tries Secret Diplomacy; De Lugo Introduces His Compact Bill and Hoodwinks the GAO
The Appellate Court Argument; The Changed Mood in Palau
The Unthinkable Occurs
The Case is Finally Decided; I am Disappointed, Palau is Not; Greenpeace Bitter
Congress Fails to Approve the Compact: An Unexpected Successor to Salii
The GAO Report; The Evaluation of Salii; Political Paralysis in Palau
Bedor Bins' Murderers Named; Remeliik Assassins Revealed
At Last: Ratification of the Compact; New Lawsuits are Filed
Commemoration of the Battle of Peleliu: The Special Palauan Conference
Resolution of the Lawsuits
Independence Day
Endnotes
Bibliographical Note
Index

Promotional Information

The story of the Republic of Palau's struggle for independence from the United States, a struggle that took the life of two Presidents and resulted in the murder and fire bombing of Palauan citizens while three Congressional committees fought over the issues in Washington.

About the Author

ARNOLD H. LEIBOWITZ has written extensively about the territories, Commonwealths, and Freely Associated States of the United States, and has represented almost all of them before the Federal government since 1964 when he was General Counsel of the U.S. Commission of the Status of Puerto Rico. His book, Defining Status: A Comprehensive Analysis of U.S. Territorial Relations, is the leading reference work in the field, having been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and a number of lower courts. He represented the Trusteeship of Palau from 1986-1988.

Reviews

"Wonderful, and quite readable....this book is a poignant and exciting account of part of the formation of one of the world's newest and smallest nations. All Pacific-philes will want to read it."-Professor Dirk Anthony Ballendorf Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam

?A participant-observer, Liebowitz blends personal knowledge of persons and events with an objective analysis of the political dynamics of the decolonization process. Heavily documented, the work will stand for a long time as the definitive work on Palau. Liebowitz's book represents a valuable case study in the negotiations of the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US. It belongs in academic libraries with significant holdings in the Pacific region or international relations.?-Choice

?Arnold Leibowitz has insightfully touched upon the country's more intimate matters with the unique deftness of a sympathetic federal status negotiator. Involved with U.S. territorial matters since 1964, the author has written extensively on the subject, including the critically acclaimed Defining Status: A Comprehensive Analysis of U.S. Territorial Relations, which has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and a number of lower courts. The two books have much in common--politically oriented, articulate and scholarly, very comprehensive and unusually balanced--which, undoubtedly, should serve as a standard bearer for Pacific scholars.?-Pacific Magazine

?Embattled Island is a must read for those interested in Pacific affairs.?-Pacific Sunday News

"A participant-observer, Liebowitz blends personal knowledge of persons and events with an objective analysis of the political dynamics of the decolonization process. Heavily documented, the work will stand for a long time as the definitive work on Palau. Liebowitz's book represents a valuable case study in the negotiations of the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US. It belongs in academic libraries with significant holdings in the Pacific region or international relations."-Choice

"Embattled Island is a must read for those interested in Pacific affairs."-Pacific Sunday News

"Arnold Leibowitz has insightfully touched upon the country's more intimate matters with the unique deftness of a sympathetic federal status negotiator. Involved with U.S. territorial matters since 1964, the author has written extensively on the subject, including the critically acclaimed Defining Status: A Comprehensive Analysis of U.S. Territorial Relations, which has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and a number of lower courts. The two books have much in common--politically oriented, articulate and scholarly, very comprehensive and unusually balanced--which, undoubtedly, should serve as a standard bearer for Pacific scholars."-Pacific Magazine