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First President of Palau From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Haruo Ignacio Remeliik (1 June 1931 – 30 June 1985) 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.[1]
Haruo Remeliik | |
---|---|
![]() Taken around 1976 | |
1st President of Palau | |
In office 2 March 1981 – 30 June 1985 | |
Vice President | Alfonso Oiterong |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Thomas Remengesau Sr. (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Haruo Ignacio Remeliik 1 June 1931 Peleliu, South Seas Mandate (present day Palau) |
Died | 30 June 1985 54) Koror, Palau | (aged
Manner of death | Assassination by gunshots |
Political party | Independent |
Spouse | Regina Remeliik |
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.[2] 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.
Remeliik was shot in the driveway of his home by an unidentified gunman.[3] 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.[4][5] The case went through two different U.S.-based prosecutors before being tried in 1997.[6] In March 2000, former presidential candidate and convicted felon John O. Ngiraked claimed responsibility for the conspiracy to kill Remeliik.[6][7] 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.[8]
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