22. The representative characterized the comparison which had been made between the freely associated States and the bantustans of South Africa as a profound insult not only to the people of Micronesia but also to the struggle against apartheid. The comparison misrepresented and trivialized the profound injustice Of South Africa’s homelands policy. 23. The representative asserted that some petitioners had made misleading statements concerning the plebiscites held in Palau. There had not been five plebiscites on the compact - the fir,st three votes had been for the purpose of seeking ratification of the Palau Constitution. The United States had not’ disregarded the results of the plebiscites, the Constitution of Palau or the wishes of the Palauan people. 24. Responding to charqes that free association with the United States would limit Palau’s claim to territorial limits on the basis of an archipelagic baseline, the United States representative noted that the compact would recognize Palau’s claim of sovereignty and jurisdiction over sea and marine resources to the full,extent -4- recoqnized under international law. Any operable limits to Palau's archipelagic claim would be qrounded on international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, lO/ and not on United States policy. - 25. AlSO, contrary to statements by some petitioners, the Palau Constitution did not impose complete prohibitions on the introduction into Palau of nuclear or hazardous weapons, substances and devices. Rather, it outlined stringent conditions which must be met before such items could be introduced. In any event, the United States had no intention of testinq, disposing of or discharging nuclear, toxic, chemical or biological weapons or substances within the areas of what was now the Trust Territory. 26. Efforts to amend the nuclear provisions of the Palau Constitution to avoid 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a response to criticisms or concerns about a political agreement or compact between the United States and Micronesia, specifically regarding Palau. It addresses issues such as the comparison of the agreement to South Africa's apartheid policy, the conduct of plebiscites, the recognition of Palau's sovereignty, and the introduction of certain types of weapons or substances. These topics suggest a focus on international relations, politics, and governance.

**Category**
International relations, Politics