In August 1988, President Salii was found killed by a gunshot wound. The official version was about suicide. A new vote on the association with the United States did not achieve the necessary majority either.
In early 1992, Palau requested Japanese assistance in patrolling its waters illegally used by Indonesian ships. In debt, Japan was granted fishing rights.
At the end of the year, Kuniwo Nakamura was elected president by a narrow margin. At the same time, 62% of voters declared themselves willing to settle for a simple majority requirement to enter into the association with the United States. The 8th vote on this theme was carried out in July 1993, and when no special majority was required, the association was adopted by 68% of the vote. The scheme came into force in October 1994, making Palau an independent state.
- ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG: What does PW stand for? In the field of geography, this two letter acronym means Palau. Check this to see its other meanings in English and other 35 languages.
Nakamura advocated closer relations with Japan, to increase trade and tourism between the two countries. That is why he visited Tokyo in April 1995 and later that year also Taiwan.
In November 1996, the first presidential elections were held since independence and Nakamura was elected. Despite protests from China, Palau decided to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan and open a consulate in Taipei.
In 1997, the country’s government devised an economic plan aimed at spreading the revenue base and reducing tourism dependency.
In December 1999, Palau established diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This political event was linked to an aggressive Taiwanese policy of political recognition among Pacific small states in return for financial assistance.
Population 1996
According to Countryaah.com, the population of Palau in 1996 was 17,053, ranking number 221 in the world. The population growth rate was 2.650% yearly, and the population density was 37.3130 people per km2.