18 AUGUST 2006 KOROR (Pacnews) - Palau's Minister of State Temmy Shmull is not aware of any communication regarding Russia's intent to establish diplomatic relations with Palau. Mr Shmull was reacting to a news report posted on the Internet by Itar Tass News Agency, the official state news agency for Russia, titled "Putin Signs Decree on Diplomatic Relations with Republic of Palau." The report said Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved "the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Palau." The report added: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation shall hold talks with the Republic of Palau on the establishment of diplomatic relations and sign corresponding documents on the results of the talks." But according to Mr Shmull, "I am not aware of any formal communication from Russia requesting establishment of diplomatic relations with Russia. We haven't had a discussion whatsoever with Russia." Mr Shmull added that Palau has just established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Turkey. Turkey is the 40th country that Palau has diplomatic relations with. "Our official record says that we have a total of 40 countries that we establish diplomatic relations with," Shmull said. Russia is not on the list. Mr Shmull said should Russia express interest to have diplomatic ties with Palau it would go though the same process.
"We will review it and do our assessment before we make a decision," Shmull said. Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of landmass and has the seventh largest population.
(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)
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