John Baird: Canada's freedom agenda - Diplomat Magazine

MICROSTATES|Di spatchesBeringSeaSea of OkhotskP A C I F I CLuxTonnerreA long-time Sea of ally of the United States in the South Pacific, Palau, whose North Beach is seen here, does not recognize China.Japan(East Sea)O C E A N8. PalauYellowSeaSouth China SeaEast ChinaSeaPhillipinesPalauTropic of CancerOn Oct. 31, 2009, the U.S. Departmentof Justice announced it hadtransferred six Muslim Chinese(also known as Uyghurs) from the terroristdetention facility in Guantanamo Bayon Cuba to another island on the otherside of the globe, namely Palau, a smallPacific nation some 500 kilometres southof the Philippines. Freed from charges ofterrorism against the United States, themen did not wish to return to their nativeChina, on fears that officials there mightprosecute them as terrorists, as Beijingcontinues to crack down on Muslimseparatists. A long-time ally of the UnitedStates, Palau does not recognize Chinaand eventually resolved the impasse byoffering itself as the temporary home forup to 17 Uyghurs.This unusual transfer turned the eyesof the world to what must surely be a hiddengem. Despite its tropical climate, thisarchipelago of atolls attracts few foreigntourists. But those who have discoveredPalau over the years have consistentlyraved about its pristine beauty. Its coralreefs are particularly popular among recreationaldivers, partly because they mightget a chance to experience sharks up closeand personal. Conscious of this fact, thegovernment of Palau has worked withsurrounding Pacific island nations to protectthis increasingly threatened animal, bycreating the first world’s shark sanctuaryin 2009.This wise policy promises to lessen Palau’seconomic dependence on the UnitedStates by boosting the domestic tourismindustry, poised to make gains in the futurethanks to foreign investors, who haverecognized the island’s potential. Such aninflux promises to boost the average percapitaincome of Palau’s 21,000 residents,which is already 50 percent higher thanthat of the Philippines. But in a way, thisprospect of more development is also apity.diplomat and international canada 55