KOROR, Palau (23 Mar 2003) -- Over 200 residents of Kayangel, called one of the most beautiful atolls in the world, have expressed strong support for proposed exploratory work to determine the presence of crude oil and natural gas in their state. The residents' petition was addressed to President Tommy Remengesau. The Velasco Reef Crude Oil and Natural Gas Scientific Exploration project, which was supposed to be handled by Palau Pacific Energy, was rejected by Remengesau for environmental reasons. He said the project's impact on the environment is not worth the possible monetary gains. In late 2001, the traditional chiefs of states expressed support for the exploration drillings at Kayangel's Velasco Reef. The chiefs said the exploration project would be a great source of revenue for Kayangel and Palau. | | In their petition, the Kayangel residents said: "We...hereby declare our unified position and joint support of Kayangel state project involving the exploratory work to determine the presence of deposits of crude oil and natural gas, or any other mineral under the ocean floor and its territorial waters including but not limited to drilling holes to the ocean floor and other related work." The petitioners also asked the national government to support the project. About 90 percent of the petitioners are adults. SOURCE - Marianas Variety |
