Palau: Native paradise or petroleum superport?

Numerous environmental groups, scientists and humanists have gone on record concerning that incomparable biological resource, the coral reefs and limestone islands of Palau. The Trust Territory, which governs Micronesia, is due to be dissolved in 1981 but there is little economic base for independence. Its strategic location, remoteness and low population have led to Palau as a potential site for superport development. International politics, secrecy, spying and rumored pay-offs seemed to leave Palauans virtually without a voice in the decision making.