A group of Micronesian islands which form a self-governing Republic associated with the US.

They were visited by the Spaniard Villalobos in 1543. They belonged to Spain until 1899 when they were sold to Germany. They were occupied in 1914 by Japan. Conquered by the US in 1944. They were made a UN Trust Territory in 1947.

There is a dispute over US bases. The Islanders don't want them; the US pressured them to accept it by threatening the cutting off of funds and delaying independence (Association).

The US proposed a Free Association under which the territory would continue to have its defense and foreign relations managed by the US.

Declared independent October 1994. The UN Trusteeship Council then ceased operations.

Languages: Palauan (related to Indonesian), Sonsorolese- Tobian, English.

US government wants to site nuclear bases there, and perhaps facilities to destroy chemical weapons. The islanders want to keep them away.