Haruo Remeliik

Haruo Ignacio Remeliik was the first President of Palau from 2 March 1981 until his assassination on 30 June 1985. He is buried at Kloulklubed in his home state of Peleliu. Remeliik was of mixed Japanese and Palauan descent.

Early life

Remeliik studied priesthood in Truk. Later he returned to Palau and became an associate judge. In 1968, he won a seat in Palau legislature and became vice speaker. In 1970 he was appointed as deputy district administrator for the Palau district of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In 1978 he became a member and later also president of the constitutional convention. In 1980, he was elected as the first President of Palau, and he won re-election in 1984.

Death

Remeliik was shot in the driveway of his home by an unidentified gunman. Six months after the killing, two relatives of Roman Tmetuchl and another man were arrested in connection to the killing; however, they were later released. The case went through two different U.S.-based prosecutors before being tried in 1997. In March 2000, former presidential candidate and convicted felon John O. Ngiraked claimed responsibility for the conspiracy to kill Remeliik. Persistent allegations that Remeliik was killed by the CIA due to his firm anti-nuclear stance have continued after the trial and Ngiraked's confession.