<text id=94CT1088><title>Pacific Islands (Palau), Trust Territory of the—Government</title>
<article><source>CIA Factbook</source>
<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Pacific Islands (Palau), Trust Territory of the<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> none
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> may change to Republic of Palau after independence; the native form of Palau is Belau and is sometimes used incorrectly in English and other languages
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> PS
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> UN trusteeship administered by the US
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> constitutional government signed a Compact of Free Association with the US on 10 January 1986, which was never approved in a series of UN-observed plebiscites; until the UN trusteeship is terminated with entry into force of the Compact, Palau remains under US administration as the Palau District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; administrative authority resides in the Department of the Interior and is exercised by the Assistant Secretary for Territorial and International Affairs through the Palau Office, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, J. Victor HOBSON Jr., Director (since 16 December 1990)
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Koror
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern Babelthuap
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<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states: Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> the last polity remaining under the US-administered UN trusteeship following the departure of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas from the trusteeship; administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of Interior
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 1 January 1981
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state and head of government:</hi> President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993), Vice-President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); election last held on 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results—Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG 49.3%
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Legislative branch:</hi> bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK)
<item><hi format=bold>Senate:</hi> elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(14 total); number of seats by party NA
<item><hi format=bold>House of Delegates:</hi> elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(16 total); number of seats by party NA
<item><hi format=bold>Judicial branch:</hi> Supreme Court, National Court, Court of Common Pleas
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi> trust territory of the UN administered by the US: Administrative Officer Charles UONG, Palau Liaison Office, 444 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 308, Washington, DC 20001
