the Palau District of
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

_#_Capital: Koror; a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast
in eastern Babelthuap

_#_Administrative divisions: none

_#_Independence: still part of the US-administered UN trusteeship
(the last polity remaining under the trusteeship; the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Commonwealth of the
Northern Marianas have left); administered by the Office of Territorial
and International Affairs, US Department of Interior

_#_Constitution: 11 January 1981

_#_Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

_#_National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)

_#_Executive branch: US president, US vice president, national
president, national vice president

_#_Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or
OEK) consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of
Delegates

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January
1989); represented by the Assistant Secretary for Territorial Affairs,
US Department of the Interior, Stella GUERRA (since NA July 1989);

Head of Government--President Ngiratkel ETPISON (since 2 November
1988)

_#_Political parties: no formal parties

_#_Suffrage: universal at age 18

_#_Elections:

President--last held on 2 November 1988 (next to be held November
1992); Ngiratkel ETPISON 26.3%, Roman TMETUCHL 25.9%,
Thomas REMENGESAU 19.5%, other 28.3%;

Senate--last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992);
results--percent of vote NA;
seats--(18 total);

House of Delegates--last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held
November 1992);
results--percent of vote NA;
seats--(16 total)

_#_Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF (observer)

_#_Diplomatic representation: none;

US--US Liaison Officer Lloyd MOSS; US Liaison Office at Top
Side, Neeriyas, Koror (mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic
of Palau 96940); telephone 160-680-920 or 990

_#_Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon)
shifted slightly to the hoist side

_*_Economy
_#_Overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture
and fishing. Tourism provides some foreign exchange, although the remote
location of Palau and a shortage of suitable facilities has hindered
develop