Compact of Free Association
Proposed U.S. Assistance to Palau for Fiscal Years 2011- 2024
Gao ID: GAO-12-249T November 30, 2011
The Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of Palau, which entered into force in 1994, provided for several types of assistance aimed at promoting Palau's self-sufficiency and economic advancement. Included were 15 years of direct assistance to the Palau government; contributions to a trust fund meant to provide Palau $15 million each year in fiscal years 2010 through 2044; construction of a road system, known as the Compact Road; and federal services such as postal, weather, and aviation. U.S. agencies also provided discretionary federal programs related to health, education, and infrastructure. In 2008, GAO projected that total assistance in fiscal years 1994 though 2009 would exceed $852 million. In September 2010, the United States and Palau signed an agreement (the Agreement) that would, among other things, provide for additional assistance to Palau beginning in fiscal year 2011 and modify its trust fund. A bill, now pending, was introduced in the Senate on February 14, 2011, to approve the Agreement and appropriate funds to implement it. In this testimony, GAO updates a June 2011 testimony on (1) the Agreement's provisions for economic assistance to Palau, (2) its impact on the trust fund's likelihood of sustaining scheduled payments through fiscal year 2044, and (3) the projected role of U.S. assistance in Palau government revenues. GAO reviewed the Agreement; examined Palau's recent single audit reports and budget projections; and assessed trust fund balances and disbursement plans.
The Agreement would provide steadily decreasing assistance, totaling approximately $215 million, for fiscal years 2011 through 2024. The proposed assistance includes the following: (1) direct economic assistance ($107.5 million) for Palau government operations; (2) infrastructure project grants ($40 million) to build mutually agreed projects; (3) infrastructure maintenance fund ($28 million) for maintaining the Compact Road, Palau's primary airport, and certain other major U.S.-funded projects; (4) fiscal consolidation fund ($10 million) to assist Palau in debt reduction; (5) trust fund contributions ($30.25 million) in addition to the $70 million contributed under the compact. The legislation implementing the Agreement was not approved by Congress in fiscal year 2011. Under the Agreement, the United States would contribute to the trust fund in fiscal years 2013 through 2023, and Palau would reduce its withdrawals by $89 million in fiscal years 2010 through 2023. GAO projects that the fund would have an 86 percent likelihood of sustaining payments through fiscal year 2044 with these changes, versus 24 percent without these changes. Estimates prepared for the Palau government project declining reliance on U.S. assistance under the Agreement--from 28 percent of government revenue in fiscal year 2011 to 2 percent in fiscal year 2024--and growing reliance on trust fund withdrawals and domestic revenues. The estimates show trust fund withdrawals rising from 5 percent to 24 percent and domestic revenues rising from 40 to 59 percent, of total government revenue. According to the estimates, U.S. assistance in fiscal years 2011 through 2024 would total $427 million, with discretionary federal programs accounting for about half of that amount.
GAO-12-249T, Compact of Free Association: Proposed U.S. Assistance to Palau for Fiscal Years 2011- 2024
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United States Government Accountability Office:
GAO:
Testimony:
Before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Committee on Foreign
Affairs, House of Representatives:
For Release on Delivery:
Expected at 11:30 a.m. EST:
Wednesday, November 30, 2011:
Compact of Free Association:
Proposed U.S. Assistance to Palau for Fiscal Years 2011-2024:
Statement of David Gootnick, Director:
International Affairs and Trade:
GAO-12-249T:
GAO Highlights:
Highlights of GAO-12-249T, a report to a testimony before the
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
House of Representatives.
Why GAO Did This Study:
The Compact of Free Association between the United States and the
Republic of Palau, which entered into force in 1994, provided for
several types of assistance aimed at promoting Palau‘s self-
sufficiency and economic advancement. Included were 15 years of direct
assistance to the Palau government; contributions to a trust fund
meant to provide Palau $15 million each year in fiscal years 2010
through 2044; construction of a road system, known as the Compact
Road; and federal services such as postal, weather, and aviation. U.S.
agencies also provided discretionary federal programs related to
health, education, and infrastructure. In 2008, GAO projected that
total assistance in fiscal years 1994 though 2009 would exceed $852
million.
In September 2010, the United States and Palau signed an agreement
(the Agreement) that would, among other things, provide for additional
assistance to Palau beginning in fiscal year 2011 and modify its trust
fund. A bill, now pending, was introduced in the Senate on February
14, 2011, to approve the Agreement and appropriate funds to implement
it.
In this testimony, GAO updates a June 2011 testimony on (1) the
Agreement‘s provisions for economic assistance to Palau, (2) its
impact on the trust fund‘s likelihood of sustaining scheduled payments
through fiscal year 2044, and (3) the projected role of U.S.
assistance in Palau government revenues. GAO reviewed the Agreement;
examined Palau‘s recent single audit reports and budget projections;
and assessed trust fund balances and disbursement plans.
What GAO Found:
The Agreement would provide steadily decreasing assistance, totaling
approximately $215 million, for fiscal years 2011 through 2024. The
proposed assistance includes the following:
* direct economic assistance ($107.5 million) for Palau government
operations;
* infrastructure project grants ($40 million) to build mutually agreed
projects;
* infrastructure maintenance fund ($28 million) for maintaining the
Compact Road, Palau‘s primary airport, and certain other major U.S.-
funded projects;
* fiscal consolidation fund ($10 million) to assist Palau in debt
reduction;
* trust fund contributions ($30.25 million) in addition to the $70
million contributed under the compact.
The legislation implementing the Agreement was not approved by
Congress in fiscal year 2011.
Figure: Assistance to Palau Specified in the Agreement:
[Refer to PDF for image: stacked vertical bar graph]
[Department of the Interior provided $13.1 million for direct economic
assistance in 2011]
Fiscal year: 2011;
Direct economic assistance: $13 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $8 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $5 million;
Trust fund contributions: $0.
Fiscal year: 2012;
Direct economic assistance: $12.75 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $8 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $5 million;
Trust fund contributions: $0.
Fiscal year: 2013;
Direct economic assistance: $12.5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $8 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2014;
Direct economic assistance: $12 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $6 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2015;
Direct economic assistance: $11.5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $5 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2016;
Direct economic assistance: $10 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $5 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2017;
Direct economic assistance: $8.5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2018;
Direct economic assistance: $7.25 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2019;
Direct economic assistance: $6 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2020;
Direct economic assistance: $5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2021;
Direct economic assistance: $4 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2022;
Direct economic assistance: $3 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2023;
Direct economic assistance: $2 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $0.25 million.
Fiscal year: 2024;
Direct economic assistance: $0;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $0.
Source: GAO analysis of the Agreement between the Government of the
United Sates of America and the Government of the Republic of Palau
Following the Compact of Free Association Section 432 Review.
Notes: All dollar amounts are in nominal dollars (i.e., unadjusted for
inflation). Funds were not provided in fiscal year 2011 for
infrastructure projects, the infrastructure maintenance fund, or the
fiscal consolidation fund.
[End of figure]
Under the Agreement, the United States would contribute to the trust
fund in fiscal years 2013 through 2023, and Palau would reduce its
withdrawals by $89 million in fiscal years 2010 through 2023. GAO
projects that the fund would have an 86 percent likelihood of
sustaining payments through fiscal year 2044 with these changes,
versus 24 percent without these changes.
Estimates prepared for the Palau government project declining reliance
on U.S. assistance under the Agreement”from 28 percent of government
revenue in fiscal year 2011 to 2 percent in fiscal year 2024”and
growing reliance on trust fund withdrawals and domestic revenues. The
estimates show trust fund withdrawals rising from 5 percent to 24
percent and domestic revenues rising from 40 to 59 percent, of total
government revenue. According to the estimates, U.S. assistance in
fiscal years 2011 through 2024 would total $427 million, with
discretionary federal programs accounting for about half of that
amount.
View [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-249T]. For more
information, contact David Gootnick at (202) 512-3149 or
gootnickd@gao.gov.
[End of section]
Chairman Manzullo, Ranking Member Faleomavaega, and Members of the
Subcommittee:
I am pleased to be here today to discuss the September 2010 agreement
between the U.S. and Palau governments.[Footnote 1]
The Compact of Free Association between the United States and the
Republic of Palau, which entered into force in 1994,[Footnote 2]
provided for several types of assistance aimed at promoting Palau's
economic advancement and eventual self-sufficiency.[Footnote 3] In
addition to establishing Palauan sovereignty and U.S.-Palau security
and defense arrangements, the compact provided economic assistance to
Palau.[Footnote 4] This assistance comprised, among other things,
direct economic assistance for 15 years to the Palau government; the
establishment of a trust fund intended to provide Palau $15 million
annually from 2010 through 2044; investments in infrastructure,
including a major road; and the provision of federal services, such as
postal, weather, and aviation. The compact also established a basis
for U.S. agencies to provide discretionary federal programs related to
health, education, and infrastructure. In June 2008, we projected that
U.S. assistance to Palau from 1995 through 2009 would exceed $852
million, with assistance under the compact accounting for about 68
percent and assistance through discretionary programs accounting for
about 31 percent.[Footnote 5] We also reported in 2008 that the
likelihood of the Palau trust fund's being able to sustain the planned
payments through 2044 was uncertain.
The September 2010 agreement between the U.S. and Palau governments
(the Agreement) followed a formal review of the compact's terms
required 15 years after the compact entered into force.[Footnote 6]
Provisions of the Agreement would, among other things, extend economic
assistance to Palau beyond the original 15 years and modify trust fund
arrangements. A bill now pending before the U.S. Senate would approve
the Agreement and appropriate funds to implement it.[Footnote 7] The
Senate Committee on Energy and National Resources held a hearing to
review the pending bill on June 16, 2011; as of November 17, Congress
had not voted on this bill.
In June 2011, we testified before the Senate, describing (1) the
extension of economic assistance to Palau as outlined in the
Agreement, (2) the impact that this assistance would have on the Palau
trust fund's sustainability, and (3) the projected role of U.S.
assistance in Palau government revenues.[Footnote 8] For our June
statement, we reviewed the Agreement, assessed trust fund balances and
disbursement plans under various assumptions and investment returns,
and examined single audit reports and budget estimates prepared for
the Palau government.
My statement today updates our June 2011 statement, in particular, our
analysis of the impact of the economic assistance outlined in the
Agreement on the sustainability of Palau's trust fund. We determined
that these data were sufficiently reliable for the purposes of our
review. We conducted this update in November 2011 in accordance with
all sections of GAO's Quality Assurance Framework that are relevant to
our objectives. The framework requires that we plan and perform the
engagement to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to meet our
stated objectives and to discuss any limitations in our work. We
believe that the information and data obtained, and the analysis we
conducted, provide a reasonable basis for any findings and conclusions.
Background:
Palau consists of 8 main islands and more than 250 smaller islands,
with a total land area of roughly 190 square miles, located
approximately 500 miles southeast of the Philippines. About 20,000
people live in Palau, concentrated largely in one urban center around
the city of Koror, and more than one-quarter of the population is non-
Palauan.[Footnote 9] Palau's economy is heavily dependent on its
tourism sector and on foreign aid from the United States, Japan, and
Taiwan.[Footnote 10] Similar to many small island economies, Palau's
public sector spending represents a significant percentage of its
gross domestic product (GDP).[Footnote 11]
U.S. relations with Palau began when American forces liberated the
islands near the end of World War II. In 1947, the United Nations
assigned the United States administering authority over the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands, which included what are now the
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. Palau
adopted its own constitution in 1981. The U.S. and Palau governments
concluded a Compact of Free Association in 1986; the compact entered
into force on October 1, 1994. The Department of the Interior's
(Interior) Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) has primary responsibility
for monitoring and coordinating all U.S. assistance to Palau, and the
Department of State (State) is responsible for government-to-
government relations.
Key provisions of the compact and its subsidiary agreements address
the sovereignty of Palau, types and amounts of U.S. assistance,
security and defense authorities, and periodic reviews of compact
terms. Table 1 summarizes key provisions of the Palau compact and
related subsidiary agreements.
Table 1: Key Provisions of Palau Compact of Free Association and
Subsidiary Agreements:
Compact section: Title one: Government Relations;
Description of key provisions:
Sovereignty; Established Palau as a self-governing nation with the
capacity to conduct its own foreign affairs;
Immigration privileges: Provided Palauan citizens with certain
immigration privileges, such as the rights to work and live in the
United States indefinitely and to enter the United States without a
visa or passport. This privilege remains in effect as long as the
compact agreement is not amended by mutual agreement or mutually or
unilaterally terminated.
Compact section: Title two: Economic Relations;
Description of key provisions:
Compact direct assistance: Established 15-year term of budgetary
support for Palau, beginning on compact's effective date. This support
included direct assistance for current account operations and
maintenance and for specific needs such as energy production, capital
improvement projects, health, and education;
Trust fund: Required the United States to contribute to a trust fund
for Palau;
Compact Road: Required the United States to construct a road system
(the Compact Road)[A];
Compact federal services:
Required the United States to make available certain federal services
and related programs to Palau, such as postal, weather, and aviation.
The compact subsidiary agreement implementing such services was in
force until October 1, 2009[B];
Accountability for compact funds: Required Palau to report on its use
of compact funds and required the U.S. government, in consultation
with Palau, to implement procedures for periodic audits of all grants
and other assistance.
Compact section: Title three: Security and Defense Relations;
Description of key provisions:
U.S. authority for security and defense matters: Established that the
United States has full authority and responsibility for security and
defense matters in or relating to Palau, would take action to meet the
danger of an attack on Palau, and may conduct activities on land,
water, and airspace as necessary;
Strategic denial: Foreclosed Palau to the military of any nation
except the United States, unless they are invited by the United States
and under the control of the U.S. armed forces;
U.S. defense sites and operating rights: Established that the United
States may establish land and sea defense sites in Palau and has
certain military operating rights. The subsidiary agreement
implementing this provision provides the United States exclusive use
of certain land adjoining the airport and certain submerged land in
Malakal Harbor and remains in effect through 2044;
Service in the armed forces: Established eligibility of Palau citizens
to serve in the U.S. armed forces. The provisions on U.S. authority
for security and defense matters, U.S. defense sites and operating
rights, and service in the armed forces remain in effect unless the
compact is terminated by mutual agreement or, if the compact is
unilaterally terminated, until October 1, 2044, and thereafter as
mutually agreed. The strategic denial provision remains in effect
through 2044 and thereafter until terminated or otherwise amended by
mutual consent.
Compact section: Title four: General Provisions;
Description of key provisions: Established general provisions
regarding approval and effective date of the compact, conference and
dispute resolution procedures, and compact termination procedures.
Required reviews of its terms on the 15th, 30th, and 40th
anniversaries of the compact's entry into force--that is, in 2009,
2024, and 2034, respectively.
Source: GAO analysis of the Compact of Free Association between the
Government of the United States and the Government of the Republic of
Palau.
Notes:
The compact's subsidiary agreements relate to specific titles of the
compact and, in many cases, contain implementing details of compact
provisions.
Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30).
[A] The compact called for the United States to build the Compact Road
according to mutually agreed specifications before October 1, 2000.
The road was completed and turned over to Palau on October 1, 2007.
See GAO-08-732, appendix V, for more information.
[B] Federal Programs and Services Agreement Concluded Pursuant to
Article II of Title Two and Section 232 of the Compact of Free
Association, which took effect in 1995, established the legal status
of programs and related services, federal agencies, U.S. contractors,
and personnel of U.S. agencies implementing both compact federal
services and discretionary federal programs in Palau. Under this
agreement, the United States Postal Service (USPS) conveys mail
between the United States and Palau and offers other services such as
Priority MailŪ, Collect on Delivery, and USPS Domestic Money Orders.
Palau maintains its own postal service for internal mail delivery.
Under this agreement, the National Weather Service reimburses Palau
for the cost of operating its weather station in Palau, which performs
upper air observations twice daily and as requested for the purpose of
Palau's airport operations and the tracking of cyclones that may
impact other U.S. territories such as Guam; and the Federal Aviation
Administration provides aviation services to Palau, including en-route
air traffic control from the mainland United States, flight inspection
of airport navigation aids, and technical assistance and training.
[End of table]
In addition to the U.S. assistance provided under the compact, U.S.
agencies--the Department of Education, the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), and Interior, among others--provide
discretionary federal programs in Palau as authorized by U.S.
legislation [Footnote 12] and with appropriations from Congress. (See
appendix II for a complete listing of these programs in Palau.)
In our 2008 report, we projected that U.S. assistance to Palau from
1995 through 2009 would exceed $852 million. Of this total, economic
assistance under the compact accounts for a projected 68 percent and
discretionary federal programs account for a projected 31 percent (see
figure 1).[Footnote 13]
Figure 1: U.S. Assistance to Palau in 1995-2009 as Projected in 2008:
[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart]
Assistance Provided by the Compact:
Compact direct assistance: 40%; $341.0 million;
Compact Road: 17%; $149.0 million;
Compact trust fund contributions: 8%; $70.0 million;
Compact federal services: 3%; $25.3 million.
Discretionary Federal Programs: 31%; $266.7 million.
Total: $852.0 million.
Source: GAO analysis.
Notes:
Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in nominal
dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
Percentages may not sum to 100 because of rounding.
Amounts shown for compact direct assistance, compact trust fund
contributions, and the Compact Road are based on Interior's Office of
Insular Affairs' actual and estimated payments to Palau for 1995-2009,
as reported in Interior's budget justification to Congress for 2009.
Amount shown for compact federal services is based on GAO estimates of
past expenditures by the National Weather Service, U.S. Postal
Service, and Federal Aviation Administration.
Amount shown for estimated discretionary federal programs is the sum
of (1) U.S. agency program expenditures as reported in single audits
for 1995-2006 for the Palau national government and for 1997-2006 for
the Palau Community Action Agency and the Palau Community College, (2)
GAO estimates of U.S. agency program expenditures for 2007-2009, and
(3) GAO estimates of DOD Civic Action Team costs for 1995-2009.
Estimated and projected federal program expenditures do not include
the value of U.S. loans to Palau. For more information, see GAO-08-732.
[End of figure]
Agreement Would Extend U.S. Assistance for 15 Years, with Annual
Decreases:
The September 2010 Agreement between the U.S. and Palau governments
would extend assistance to Palau to 2024 but steadily reduce the
annual amount provided. The Agreement would also extend the authority
and framework for U.S. agencies to continue compact federal services
and discretionary federal programs.[Footnote 14]
Assistance to Palau Would Decline through 2024:
Key provisions of the Agreement would include, among others, extending
direct economic assistance to Palau, providing infrastructure project
grants and contributions to an infrastructure maintenance fund,
establishing a fiscal consolidation fund, and making changes to the
trust fund. U.S. assistance to Palau under the Agreement would total
approximately $215 million from 2011 through 2024.[Footnote 15] The
pending legislation would authorize and appropriate funds to Interior
for this assistance.[Footnote 16]
The legislation implementing the Agreement was not approved by
Congress during 2011. Department of the Interior provided $13.1
million for direct economic assistance in 2011; however, funds were
not provided for infrastructure projects, the infrastructure
maintenance fund, or the fiscal consolidation fund.
* Direct economic assistance ($107.5 million). Under the Agreement,
the U.S. government would provide direct economic assistance--
budgetary support for Palau government operations and specific needs
such as administration of justice and public safety, health, and
education--amounting to $13 million in 2011 and declining to $2
million by 2023. The Agreement also calls for the U.S. and Palau
governments to establish a five-member Advisory Group to provide
annual recommendations and timelines for economic, financial, and
management reforms. The Advisory Group must report on Palau's progress
in implementing these or other reforms, prior to annual U.S.-Palau
economic consultations.[Footnote 17] These consultations are to review
Palau's progress in achieving reforms[Footnote 18] such as
improvements in fiscal management, reducing the public sector
workforce and salaries, reducing government subsidization of
utilities, and tax reform. If the U.S. government determines that
Palau has not made significant progress in implementing meaningful
reforms, direct assistance payments may be delayed until the U.S.
government determines that Palau has made sufficient progress.
* Infrastructure projects ($40 million). Under the Agreement, the U.S.
government would provide U.S. infrastructure project grants to Palau
for mutually agreed infrastructure projects--$8 million in 2011
through 2013, $6 million in 2014, and $5 million in both 2015 and
2016. The Agreement requires Palau to provide a detailed project
budget and certified scope of work for any projects receiving these
funds.
* Infrastructure maintenance fund ($28 million). Under the Agreement,
the U.S. government would make contributions to a fund to be used for
maintenance of U.S.-financed major capital improvement projects,
including the Compact Road and Airai International Airport.[Footnote
19] From 2011 through 2024, the U.S. government would contribute $2
million annually, and the Palau government would contribute $600,000
annually to the fund.[Footnote 20]
* Fiscal consolidation fund ($10 million). Under the Agreement, the
U.S. government would provide grants of $5 million each in 2011 and
2012, respectively, to help the Palau government reduce its debts.
Unless agreed to in writing by the U.S. government, these grants
cannot be used to pay any entity owned or controlled by a member of
the government or his or her family, or any entity from which a member
of the government derives income. U.S. creditors must receive
priority, and the government of Palau must report quarterly on the use
of the grants until they are expended.
* Trust fund ($30.25 million). Under the Agreement, the U.S.
government would contribute $30.25 million to the fund from 2013
through 2023. The government of Palau will reduce its previously
scheduled withdrawals from the fund by $89 million.[Footnote 21] From
2024 through 2044, Palau can withdraw up to $15 million annually, as
originally scheduled. Moneys from the trust fund account cannot be
spent on state block grants, operations of the office of the President
of Palau, the Olibiil Era Mainentancelau National Congress), or the
Palau Judiciary. Palau must use $15 million of the combined total of
the trust fund disbursements and direct economic assistance
exclusively for education, health, and the administration of justice
and public safety.
* Annual U.S. assistance to Palau under the Agreement would decline
from roughly $28 million in 2011 to $2 million in 2024. Figure 2
details the timeline and composition of assistance outlined in the
Agreement.
Figure 2: U.S. Assistance to Palau for 2011-2024, as Outlined in the
Agreement:
[Refer to PDF for image: stacked vertical bar graph]
[Department of the Interior provided $13.1 million for direct economic
assistance in 2011]
Fiscal year: 2011;
Direct economic assistance: $13 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $8 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $5 million;
Trust fund contributions: $0.
Fiscal year: 2012;
Direct economic assistance: $12.75 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $8 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $5 million;
Trust fund contributions: $0.
Fiscal year: 2013;
Direct economic assistance: $12.5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $8 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2014;
Direct economic assistance: $12 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $6 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2015;
Direct economic assistance: $11.5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $5 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2016;
Direct economic assistance: $10 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $5 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2017;
Direct economic assistance: $8.5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2018;
Direct economic assistance: $7.25 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2019;
Direct economic assistance: $6 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2020;
Direct economic assistance: $5 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2021;
Direct economic assistance: $4 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2022;
Direct economic assistance: $3 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $3 million.
Fiscal year: 2023;
Direct economic assistance: $2 million;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $0.25 million.
Fiscal year: 2024;
Direct economic assistance: $0;
Infrastructure Maintenance fund: $2 million;
Infrastructure project grants: $0;
Fiscal consolidation fund: $0;
Trust fund contributions: $0.
Source: GAO analysis of the Agreement between the Government of the
United Sates of America and the Government of the Republic of Palau
Following the Compact of Free Association Section 432 Review.
Notes:
Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in nominal
dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
Compact federal services and discretionary federal programs are not
included in this analysis.
Funds were not provided in 2011 for infrastructure projects, the
infrastructure maintenance fund, or the fiscal consolidation fund.
[End of figure]
Agreement Would Continue Compact Federal Services and Extend Framework
for Discretionary Federal Programs:
The Agreement would extend the authority for the provision of compact
federal services and discretionary programs in Palau.
* Federal services. The Agreement would amend the compact's subsidiary
agreements regarding federal services. The proposed legislation
implementing the Agreement would authorize annual appropriations for
weather and aviation services. The proposed legislation would have
also authorized appropriations of $1.5 million to Interior for 2011
through 2024, to subsidize postal services to Palau, the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
* Federal discretionary programs. The Agreement would extend the
framework for U.S. agencies to provide discretionary federal programs
to Palau, with implementation of the programs contingent on annual
appropriations to those agencies. The proposed legislation would
extend the eligibility of the people, government, and institutions of
Palau for certain discretionary programs, including special education
and Pell grants.
Agreement's Provisions Would Significantly Improve Prospects for Palau
Trust Fund:
The addition of $30.25 million in U.S. contributions and the delay of
$89 million in Palau withdrawals through 2023, as provided by the
Agreement, would improve the fund's prospects for sustaining scheduled
payments through 2044. At the end of 2011, the fund had a balance of
approximately $147 million. The trust fund would need a 5.5 percent
annual return to yield the proposed withdrawals from 2011 through 2044
under the Agreement. This rate is well below the 7.4 percent return
that the fund earned from its inception to September 30, 2011.
[Footnote 22] Figure 3 shows projected trust fund balances in 2012
through 2044 under the Agreement, with varying rates of return.
Figure 3: Projected Palau Trust Fund Balance under the Agreement, with
Varying Rates of Return, 2012-2044:
[Refer to PDF for image: multiple line graph]
Fiscal year: 2012;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $156.0 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $155.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $153.3
million.
Fiscal year: 2013;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $165.3 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $163.5 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $159.5
million.
Fiscal year: 2014;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $175.1 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $172.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $165.8
million.
Fiscal year: 2015;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $185.2 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $181.1 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $172.2
million.
Fiscal year: 2016;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $194.9 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $189.4 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $177.6
million.
Fiscal year: 2017;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $203.9 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $197.0 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $182.1
million.
Fiscal year: 2018;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $212.6 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $204.0 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $185.8
million.
Fiscal year: 2019;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $220.9 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $210.5 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $188.7
million.
Fiscal year: 2020;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $229.3 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $216.9 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $191.2
million.
Fiscal year: 2021;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $237.8 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $223.3 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $193.4
million.
Fiscal year: 2022;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $243.1 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $226.3 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $191.9
million.
Fiscal year: 2023;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $247.6 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $189.0
million.
Fiscal year: 2024;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $250.3 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $184.0
million.
Fiscal year: 2025;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $253.3 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $178.7
million.
Fiscal year: 2026;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $256.4 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $173.1
million.
Fiscal year: 2027;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $259.8 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $167.1
million.
Fiscal year: 2028;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $263.4 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $160.9
million.
Fiscal year: 2029;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $267.3 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $154.3
million.
Fiscal year: 2030;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $271.4 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $147.4
million.
Fiscal year: 2031;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $275.9 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $140.1
million.
Fiscal year: 2032;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $280.7 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $132.4
million.
Fiscal year: 2033;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $285.9 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $124.3
million.
Fiscal year: 2034;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $291.4 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $115.7
million.
Fiscal year: 2035;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $297.4 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $106.7
million.
Fiscal year: 2036;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $303.7 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $97.2
million.
Fiscal year: 2037;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $310.6 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $87.2
million.
Fiscal year: 2038;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $317.9 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $76.6
million.
Fiscal year: 2039;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $325.8 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $65.5
million.
Fiscal year: 2040;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $334.2 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $53.7
million.
Fiscal year: 2041;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $343.3 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $41.3
million.
Fiscal year: 2042;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $353.1 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $28.3
million.
Fiscal year: 2043;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $363.5 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $14.5
million.
Fiscal year: 2044;
7.4% (return earned by trust fund earned from inception to Sept.
2011): $374.7 million;
6.8% (return needed to grow in perpetuity): $228.2 million;
5.5% (return needed to sustain the trust fund through 2044): $0.
Source: GAO analysis.
Notes:
Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in nominal
dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
The analysis shown is based on the fund's balance as of September 30,
2011, and assumes that the Agreement's provisions related to the trust
fund--including additional U.S. contributions and reduced Palau
withdrawals through 2023--are approved.
[End of figure]
The additional contributions and reduced withdrawals scheduled in the
Agreement would also make the trust fund a more reliable source of
revenue under conditions of market volatility. With these changes, the
trust fund would have an approximately 86 percent probability of
sustaining payments through 2044. In comparison, the fund had a 24
percent probability, at the end of 2010, of sustaining the $15 million
annual withdrawals scheduled under the compact through 2044.[Footnote
23]
Figure 4 compares the probability that the trust fund will sustain the
proposed withdrawals under the terms outlined in the Agreement with
the probability that the trust fund will sustain the withdrawals
scheduled under the compact.
Figure 4: Probability That Palau Trust Fund Will Sustain Scheduled
Withdrawals under Two Scenarios:
[Refer to PDF for image: multiple line graph]
Fiscal year: 2012;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2013;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2014;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2015;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2016;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2017;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2018;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2019;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
100%.
Fiscal year: 2020;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
99%.
Fiscal year: 2021;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
96%.
Fiscal year: 2022;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
93%.
Fiscal year: 2023;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
88%.
Fiscal year: 2024;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
83%.
Fiscal year: 2025;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
77%.
Fiscal year: 2026;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
71%.
Fiscal year: 2027;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
65%.
Fiscal year: 2028;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule:
100%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
60%.
Fiscal year: 2027;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 99%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
55%.
Fiscal year: 2030;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 99%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
51%.
Fiscal year: 2031;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 98%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
47%.
Fiscal year: 2032;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 97%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
44%.
Fiscal year: 2033;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 96%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
41%.
Fiscal year: 2034;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 95%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
39%.
Fiscal year: 2035;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 95%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
36%.
Fiscal year: 2036;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 94%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
34%.
Fiscal year: 2037;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 93%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
32%.
Fiscal year: 2038;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 92%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
30%.
Fiscal year: 2039;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 91%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
29%.
Fiscal year: 2040;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 90%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
28%.
Fiscal year: 2041;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 89%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
27%.
Fiscal year: 2042;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 88%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
25%.
Fiscal year: 2043;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 87%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
24%.
Fiscal year: 2044;
Projection based on new contributions and new withdrawal schedule: 86%;
Projection based on no new contributions and old withdrawal schedule:
24%.
Source: GAO analysis.
Notes:
Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in nominal
dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
This figure depicts results from 10,000 trial runs. For each run, the
returns of each asset class are randomly drawn from a distribution
based on the historical returns. The account balances and the
withdrawal amount from the trust fund are then calculated based on the
returns and the withdrawal schedule. The probability of the trust
fund's being able to disburse the scheduled amount is then generated
from a distribution of 10,000 disbursements each year.
The figure's upper line shows the probability that the trust fund will
sustain scheduled withdrawals under the Agreement's provisions of (1)
annual U.S. contributions of $3 million from 2013 through 2022 and
$250,000 in 2023 and (2) annual Palau withdrawals of $5 million in
2011, gradually increasing to $13 million in 2023, and $15 million
from 2024 through 2044. The figure's lower line shows the probability
that the trust fund will sustain scheduled payments under the
compact's provision of $15 million annual withdrawals through 2044.
[End of figure]
Estimates Prepared for Palau Project Declining Reliance on U.S.
Assistance under the Agreement:
Estimates prepared for the government of Palau project that Palau's
reliance on U.S. assistance provided under the Agreement will decline,
while its reliance on trust fund withdrawals and domestic revenue will
increase.[Footnote 24] These estimates show U.S. assistance, as
provided under the Agreement, declining from 28 percent of government
revenue in 2011 to less than 2 percent of government revenue in 2024.
The estimates also show Palau's trust fund withdrawals growing from 5
percent of government revenue in 2011 to 12 percent in 2024. In
addition, the estimates indicate that Palau's domestic revenue will
rise from 40 percent of all government revenue in 2011 to 59 percent
in 2024.[Footnote 25] Finally, the estimates prepared for Palau
project a relatively steady reliance on U.S. discretionary federal
programs, ranging from 12 percent of all government revenue in 2011 to
14 percent in 2024. The estimates assume that discretionary federal
programs will grow at the rate of inflation; however, discretionary
programs are subject to annual appropriations and may not increase
over time.
Figure 5 shows the types and amounts of Palau's estimated revenues for
2011 and 2024.
Figure 5: Estimated Palau Government Revenues for 2011 and 2024:
[Refer to PDF for image: stacked vertical bar graph]
Fiscal year: 2011;
Domestic revenue: $40.3 million;
Other donor assistance: $15.1 million;
Discretionary federal programs: $12.5 million;
Assistance provided by the agreement: $28 million;
Trust fund withdrawal: $5 million.
Fiscal year: 2024;
Domestic revenue: $75.8 million;
Other donor assistance: $18.5 million;
Discretionary federal programs: $18.2 million;
Assistance provided by the agreement: $2 million;
Trust fund withdrawal: $15 million.
Source: GAO analysis and estimates for the Government of Palau.
Notes:
Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in nominal
dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
The years shown were chosen to illustrate the trend in Palau's
revenues from 2011, when the terms proposed by the Agreement would
begin, through 2024, when assistance provided by the Agreement would
expire.
Federal services were not included in the estimates prepared for Palau.
"Trust fund withdrawal" includes the maximum withdrawal for 2011 and
2024 as specified in the Agreement.
"Assistance provided by the Agreement" includes all funding specified
in the Agreement.
"Discretionary federal programs" includes estimates prepared for the
government of Palau for program funding and grants from U.S. agencies
in 2011 and 2024.
"Other donor assistance" includes estimates for assistance from other
foreign donors for 2011 and 2024.
"Domestic revenue" includes estimates of taxes and fees to be
collected by the Palau government in 2011 and 2024.
[End of figure]
Estimates Prepared for Palau Project Discretionary Program Funding as
Half of U.S. Assistance:
The estimates prepared for the government of Palau project that U.S.
assistance to Palau from 2011 through 2024, including discretionary
federal programs, will total approximately $427 million. The estimates
further project that discretionary programs will account for nearly
half of U.S. assistance through 2024, with assistance amounts
specified in the Agreement accounting for the other half. (See fig.
6.) In contrast, in 2008, we estimated discretionary program funding
accounted for less than one-third of total U.S. assistance to Palau
from 1995 through 2009.
Figure 6: U.S. Assistance to Palau in 2011-2024 as Estimated for Palau
and as Provided under the Agreement:
[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart]
Projected discretionary federal programs as estimated for Palau
government: 50%; $211.7 million;
Assistance provided under the Agreement:
Direct economic assistance: 25%; $107.5 million;
Infrastructure project grants: 9%; $40.0 million;
Trust fund contributions: 7%; 30.25 million;
Infrastructure maintenance fund: 7%; $28.0 million;
Fiscal consolidation fund: 2%; $10.0 million;
Total: $427.25 million.
Source: GAO analysis of the Agreement between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Palau
Following the Compact of Free Association Section 432 Review,
estimates prepared for the Government of Palau.
Notes:
Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in nominal
dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
The analysis depicted is based on the estimates prepared for the
government of Palau and on the Agreement's provisions. This analysis
does not include federal services, which are not addressed in the
estimate prepared for Palau and generally are not specified in the
Agreement.
"Discretionary federal programs" includes all funds appropriated to
federal agencies for assistance to Palau. The discretionary federal
program estimates prepared for the government of Palau include annual
adjustments for inflation, but not for population growth, from 2009
through 2024. Although the Agreement does not specify funding for
discretionary federal programs, it extends authority for U.S. agencies
to provide them in Palau subject to annual appropriations.
[End of figure]
Chairman Manzullo, Ranking Member Faleomavaega, and Members of the
Subcommittee, this completes my prepared statement. I would be happy
to respond to any questions you may have at this time.
GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments:
For further information about this statement, please contact David
Gootnick at (202) 512-3149 or gootnickd@gao.gov. Contact points for
our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found
on the last page of this statement.
Emil Friberg (Assistant Director), Ming Chen, Brian Hackney, Reid
Lowe, and Grace Lui made key contributions to this statement. Robert
Alarapon, Benjamin Bolitzer, Joyce Evans, Mattias Fenton, Farahnaaz
Khakoo, Sarah McGrath, Jeremy Sebest, Cynthia Taylor, and Anu Mittal
provided technical assistance.
[End of section]
Appendix I: U.S. Assistance to Palau Provided Under the Compact and
Outlined in the Agreement:
Table 2 shows the assistance provided to Palau under the compact from
1995 through 2009. Table 3 shows the proposed assistance to Palau for
2011 through 2024, as outlined in the Agreement.
Table 2: Compact Assistance Provided to Palau in 1995-2009:
Dollars in millions:
Type of assistance: Direct assistance;
1995: $126.5;
1996: $23.5;
1997: $22.4;
1998: $21.2;
1999: $13.6;
2000: $13.6;
2001: $13.8;
2002: $13.9;
2003: $14.1;
2004: $14.1;
2005: $12.7;
2006: $12.8;
2007: $12.9;
2008: $13.0;
2009: $13.1;
Total: $341.1.
Type of assistance: Infrastructure;
1995: $53.0;
1996: 0;
1997: $96.0;
1998: 0;
1999: 0;
2000: 0;
2001: 0;
2002: 0;
2003: 0;
2004: 0;
2005: 0;
2006: 0;
2007: 0;
2008: 0;
2009: 0;
Total: $149.0.
Type of assistance: Trust fund contributions;
1995: $66.0;
1996: 0;
1997: $4.0;
1998: 0;
1999: 0;
2000: 0;
2001: 0;
2002: 0;
2003: 0;
2004: 0;
2005: 0;
2006: 0;
2007: 0;
2008: 0;
2009: 0;
Total: $70.0.
Type of assistance: Total;
1995: $245.5;
1996: $23.5;
1997: $122.4;
1998: $21.2;
1999: $13.6;
2000: $13.6;
2001: $13.8;
2002: $13.9;
2003: $14.1;
2004: $14.1;
2005: $12.7;
2006: $12.8;
2007: $12.9;
2008: $13.0;
2009: $13.1;
Total: $560.1.
Source: GAO analysis of the Interior OIA Budget Justifications and
Performance Information fiscal year 2012.
Note: Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in
nominal dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
[End of table]
Table 3: Proposed Assistance to Palau as Outlined in the Agreement:
Dollars in millions.
Type of assistance: Trust fund contributions;
2011: $0;
2012: $0;
2013: $3.00;
2014: $3.00;
2015: $3.00;
2016: $3.00;
2017: $3.00;
2018: $3.00;
2019: $3.00;
2020: $3.00;
2021: $3.00;
2022: $3.00;
2023: $0.25;
2024: $0;
Total: $30.25.
Type of assistance: Infrastructure maintenance fund;
2011: $2.00;
2012: $2.00;
2013: $2.00;
2014: $2.00;
2015: $2.00;
2016: $2.00;
2017: $2.00;
2018: $2.00;
2019: $2.00;
2020: $2.00;
2021: $2.00;
2022: $2.00;
2023: $2.00;
2024: $2.00;
Total: $28.00.
Type of assistance: Infrastructure project grants;
2011: $8.00;
2012: $8.00;
2013: $8.00;
2014: $6.00;
2015: $5.00;
2016: $5.00;
2017: 0;
2018: 0;
2019: 0;
2020: 0;
2021: 0;
2022: 0;
2023: 0;
2024: 0;
Total: $40.00.
Type of assistance: Fiscal consolidation fund;
2011: $5.00;
2012: $5.00;
2013: 0;
2014: 0;
2015: 0;
2016: 0;
2017: 0;
2018: 0;
2019: 0;
2020: 0;
2021: 0;
2022: 0;
2023: 0;
2024: 0;
Total: $10.00.
Type of assistance: Direct economic assistance;
2011: $13.00;
2012: $12.75;
2013: $12.50;
2014: $12.00;
2015: $11.50;
2016: $10.00;
2017: $8.50;
2018: $7.25;
2019: $6.00;
2020: $5.00;
2021: $4.00;
2022: $3.00;
2023: $2.00;
2024: 0;
Total: $107.50.
Type of assistance: Total;
2011: $28.00;
2012: $27.75;
2013: $25.50;
2014: $23.00;
2015: $21.50;
2016: $20.00;
2017: $13.50;
2018: $12.25;
2019: $11.00;
2020: $10.00;
2021: $9.00;
2022: $8.00;
2023: $4.25;
2024: $2.00;
Total: $215.75.
Source: GAO analysis of the Agreement between the U.S. government and
the government of the Republic of Palau following the Compact of Free
Association Section 432 review.
Note: Years are fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in
nominal dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
[End of table]
Appendix II: U.S. Discretionary Program Funds Expended in 2009:
Table 4 lists discretionary U.S. federal program funds expended by the
Palau national government, the Palau Community College, and the Palau
Community Action Agency, as reported in the organizations' single
audit reports for 2009.
Table 4: U.S. Federal Program Expenditure in Palau as Reported in 2009
Single Audit Reports:
U.S. agency: Agriculture;
Federal program: Cooperative Forestry Assistance;
2009 expenditure: $$155,422.
U.S. agency: Agriculture;
Federal program: Community Facilities Loans and Grants;
2009 expenditure: $124,745.
U.S. agency: Agriculture;
Federal program: Unknown;
2009 expenditure: $1,604.
U.S. agency: Commerce;
Federal program: Special Oceanic and Atmospheric Projects;
2009 expenditure: $306,485.
U.S. agency: Commerce;
Federal program: Unallied Management Projects;
2009 expenditure: $1.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Pell Grant;
2009 expenditure: $2,250,348.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Freely Associated States-Education Grant Program;
2009 expenditure: $1,309,324.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Special Education-Grants to States;
2009 expenditure: $859,119.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Upward Bound Program;
2009 expenditure: $315,164.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Talent Search;
2009 expenditure: $204,406.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Upward Bound Math and Science;
2009 expenditure: $198,998.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs;
2009 expenditure: $198,205.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Student Support Services Program;
2009 expenditure: $189,771.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Special Education-Grants to States;
2009 expenditure: $122,755.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Federal Work-Study;
2009 expenditure: $109,923.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Academic Competitiveness Grant;
2009 expenditure: $78,346.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;
2009 expenditure: $52,600.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Byrd Honors Scholarships;
2009 expenditure: $46,500.
U.S. agency: Education;
Federal program: Adult Education-State Grant Program;
2009 expenditure: $29,038.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Head Start;
2009 expenditure: $1,670,508.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: CDC and Prevention-Investigations & Technical
Assistance;
2009 expenditure: $976,068.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Consolidated Health Centers;
2009 expenditure: $564,525.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services-Projects
of Regional and National Significance;
2009 expenditure: $431,171.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program;
2009 expenditure: $387,003.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Public Health Emergency Preparedness;
2009 expenditure: $343,717.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Epidemiologic Research Studies of AIDS and HIV
Infection in Selected Population Groups;
2009 expenditure: $260,367.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Material and Child Health Federal Consolidated
Programs;
2009 expenditure: $201,257.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Family Planning-Services;
2009 expenditure: $171,235.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the
States;
2009 expenditure: $149,718.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Project Grants and Cooperative Agreements for
Tuberculosis Control Programs;
2009 expenditure: $116,313.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Immunization Grants;
2009 expenditure: $113,372.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of
Substance Abuse;
2009 expenditure: $111,340.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening;
2009 expenditure: $95,591.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: DEH-PHCI;
2009 expenditure: $72,266.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Cooperative Agreements to Support Comprehensive
School Health Programs to Prevent the Spread of HIV and Other
Important Health Problems;
2009 expenditure: $67,785.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Basic/Core Area Health and Education Center;
2009 expenditure: $62,506.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services;
2009 expenditure: $58,245.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Consolidated Knowledge Development and Application
(KD&A) Program;
2009 expenditure: $55,430.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Preventive Health Services - STD Control Grants;
2009 expenditure: $48,079.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Cooperative Agreements for State-Based Diabetes
Control Programs and Evaluation and Surveillance Systems;
2009 expenditure: $44,845.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: HIV Care Grants;
2009 expenditure: $38,249.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: ARRA-Grants to Health Center Programs;
2009 expenditure: $20,990.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: HIV/Aids Surveillance;
2009 expenditure: $19,372.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant;
2009 expenditure: $17,375.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Drug Free Communities Support Program Grants;
2009 expenditure: $12,759.
U.S. agency: HHS;
Federal program: Civil Rights and Privacy Rule Compliance Activities;
2009 expenditure: $12,620.
U.S. agency: Interior;
Federal program: Social, Economic and Political Development of the
Territories;
2009 expenditure: $628,346.
U.S. agency: Interior;
Federal program: Historical Preservation-Grants in Aid;
2009 expenditure: $254,436.
U.S. agency: Justice;
Federal program: Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention-
Allocation to States;
2009 expenditure: $1.
U.S. agency: Labor;
Federal program: ARRA WIA Dislocated Workers Program;
2009 expenditure: $128,027.
U.S. agency: Labor;
Federal program: WIA Dislocated Workers Program;
2009 expenditure: $118,574.
U.S. agency: Labor;
Federal program: ARRA WIA Youth Activities;
2009 expenditure: $81,112.
U.S. agency: Labor;
Federal program: WIA Adult Program;
2009 expenditure: $63,241.
U.S. agency: Labor;
Federal program: WIA Youth Activities;
2009 expenditure: $62,637.
U.S. agency: Labor;
Federal program: ARRA WIA Adult Program;
2009 expenditure: $49,162.
U.S. agency: Transportation;
Federal program: Airport Improvement Program;
2009 expenditure: $$4,309,960.
U.S. agency: Total;
Federal program: [Empty];
2009 expenditure: $$18,370,956.
Source: GAO analysis of Republic of Palau National Government
Independent Auditor's Reports on Internal Control and on Compliance
Year Ended September 30, 2009; Palau Community College Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009; and
Palau Community Action Agency Report on the Audit of Financial
Statements in Accordance with OMB Circular A-133 Year Ended September
30, 2009.
Notes:
Year is fiscal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), and dollar amounts are in nominal
dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
HHS = Department of Health and Human Services.
[End of table]
[End of section]
Footnotes:
[1] The Agreement between the Government of the United States of
America and the Government of the Republic of Palau Following the
Compact of Free Association Section 432 Review (Sept. 3, 2010).
[2] The Compact of Free Association between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Palau
(Oct. 1, 1994).
[3] See Proclamation 6726, Placing into Full Force and Effect the
Compact of Free Association with the Republic of Palau, 59 Fed. Reg.
49777 (Sept. 27, 1994). Congress approved the Compact of Free
Association in Public Law 99-658 on November 14, 1986, and Public Law
101-219 on December 12, 1989. The grant funds specified by the compact
are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
[4] Unless otherwise noted, all years cited are fiscal years (Oct. 1-
Sept. 30). In addition, all dollar amounts in this report are in
nominal dollars (i.e., unadjusted for inflation).
[5] GAO, Compact of Free Association: Palau's Use of and
Accountability for U.S. Assistance and Prospects for Economic Self
Sufficiency, [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-732]
(Washington, D.C.: June 10, 2008).
[6] Section 432 of the compact provides for the U.S. and Palau
governments to formally review the terms of the compact and its
related agreements and to consider the overall nature and development
of their relationship, on the 15th, 30th, and 40th anniversaries of
the compact's effective date. The governments are to consider the
operating requirements of the government of Palau and its progress in
meeting the development objectives set forth in section 231(a) of the
compact. The terms of the compact shall remain in force until
otherwise amended or terminated pursuant to title four of the compact.
[7] The pending bill, Senate Bill 343, amends Title I of Public Law 99-
658; approves the results of the 15-year review of the compact,
including the Agreement; and appropriates funds for the purposes of
the amended Public Law 99-658 for fiscal years ending on or before
September 30, 2024, to carry out the agreements resulting from the
review.
[8] GAO, Compact of Free Association: Proposed U.S. Assistance to
Palau and Its Likely Impact, [hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-559T] (Washington, D.C.: June 16,
2011).
[9] Palau's private sector relies heavily on foreign workers, mostly
from the Philippines. We reported in 2008 that since 1994, foreign
workers, as registered with Palau's Social Security Office, had grown
to account for half of Palau's total labor force. Because many of
these foreign workers send wage income back to their home nations, in
2005 the annual net outflow of remittances from Palau equaled an
estimated 5.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).
[10] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that in 2010,
Palau's GDP was an estimated $218 million and reported that Palau's
GDP per capita was about $10,500. Business and tourist arrivals were
projected to be 78,000 in 2010. See IMF, Republic of Palau Staff
Report for the Article IV Consultation (Apr. 12, 2010).
[11] According to the IMF, in 2010, Palau's public sector spending was
projected at approximately 42 percent of its GDP.
[12] The compact's federal programs and services agreement,
establishing the legislative framework for the provision of
discretionary federal programs in Palau, was in force until October 1,
2009. These services continued under program authority in 2010 and
2011.
[13] [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-732].
[14] Other provisions in the Agreement would define reporting and
auditing requirements and passport requirements. The Agreement would
require that, by 2018, Palau resolve all deficiencies identified in
annual single audit reports, which are required by the Compact's
fiscal procedures agreement, such that no single audit report
recommendations or deficiencies dating from before 2016 remain. In
addition, the Agreement alters the entry procedures for citizens of
Palau visiting the United States, requiring them to present a valid
machine-readable passport to travel to the United States.
[15] The compact provided for direct assistance to Palau only through
2009. For 2010 and 2011, Interior provided $13.1 million for direct
assistance to Palau each year. For 2012, Interior's Budget
Justification proposed $29.25 million in direct assistance, while the
Agreement provides for $27.75 million.
[16] Senate bill 343, 112th Cong. The pending implementing legislation
would also extend the authority, and authorize appropriations, for the
provision of compact federal services in Palau. However, the proposed
legislation does not appropriate funds for compact federal services.
[17] The Agreement requires that Palau undertake economic,
legislative, financial, and management reforms giving due
consideration to those identified by the IMF; the Asian Development
Bank; and other creditable institutions, organizations, or
professional firms.
[18] The compact requires that the United States and Palau consult
annually regarding Palau's economic activities and progress in the
previous year, as described in a report that Palau must submit each
year. Our 2008 report noted that Palau had met reporting conditions
associated with direct assistance but that, contrary to compact
requirements, the bilateral economic consultations had not occurred on
an annual basis; and had been informal and resulted in no written
records. See [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-732].
[19] In 2008, we reported that Palau and U.S. officials had expressed
concerns about Palau's ability to maintain the Compact Road in a
condition that would allow for the desired economic development. We
also reported that Palau made initial efforts to maintain the road,
but at levels that would cause the road to deteriorate over time and
would not provide the economic development benefits envisioned for the
people of Palau. See [hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-732].
[20] Under the compact, Palau owes the United States a total of $3
million. Under the Agreement, Palau would deposit $3 million in the
infrastructure maintenance fund but not expend it. Any future income
derived from the $3 million must be used exclusively for the
maintenance of the Compact Road.
[21] Under the Agreement, Palau would withdraw $5 million annually
through 2013 and gradually increase its maximum withdrawal from $5.25
million in 2014 to $13 million in 2023.
[22] All rates of return on the trust fund are net of fees and
commissions unless otherwise noted.
[23] The probability of the fund's sustaining $15 million annual
payments through 2044 under the original compact terms has diminished
since 2008, when we determined that the probability was 46 percent.
See [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-732].
[24] The government of Palau provided fiscal projections through 2024
to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in January
2011. The estimates were prepared by an independent economist retained
by the government of Palau.
[25] In March 2011, the IMF reported that Palau government revenues as
a percentage of GDP are below average for island nations in the
Pacific. The report cited opportunities for increased tax revenues by
eliminating the gross revenue tax, replacing it with a corporate
income tax, introducing a Value Added Tax, and increasing the level of
taxation on high earners. The IMF also noted that Palau could reform
its civil service to decrease wage expenditures. IMF, "Staff Visit to
Republic of Palau--Concluding Statement of the IMF Mission" (Mar. 8,
2011).
[End of section]
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