The Senate yesterday rejected two ambassadorial nominees of President Tommy Remengesau Jr.

In a vote of 4 yes and 8 no, Honorary Consul Nguyen San Mien Nhuan was given a thumbs down by the Senate to serve as Palau Ambassador to Palau, while Rabih Reaidy, nominated as Palau Ambassador to UAE didn’t get the nod of the senators with 3 voting yes and 9 voting against his nomination.

Earlier Senate had hosted dinner receptions with each nominee prior to their confirmation hearings. The atmosphere at each reception was easy and amicable belying any reservations from the Senators.

Reports from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and State Matters on both nominees cited their extensive experiences and qualifications.  No reservations were expressed or cited in the reports.

Last night Senator Mark Rudimch confirmed the rejection of the nominees but said no discussions have been made during the session prior to the voting.

There has been no indication that the nominations will be rejected. The Senate conducted the vote through a secret ballot.

Last Thursday, President Remengesau Jr. reduced budget appropriations for both House and Senate in the FY 2019 Unified Budget by $160,000 each house before signing the bill into law.

Speculation is made that the rejection of the President’s nominees may be a retaliation to the congress’s budget cuts.

On August 22 Remengesau nominated Nhuan as the second non-Palauan nominated to an ambassador post. “HOG Nguyen’s long experience representing Palau in delivering on diplomatic priorities in Vietnam and South East Asia makes him more suitable for this job,” Remengesau stated in his letter to Senate President Hokkons Baules.

On Aug, 9, Remengesau nominated Rabih Antonios Reaidy, a Lebanese citizen as the ambassador to UAE.

The president said with Reaidy’s nomination is an opportunity to “move forward in solidifying our relationship with one of our most promising partners- UAE.”

The president said Reaidy and Nhuan are ready to serve the Palau government with a $ 1-year salary.

A budget for a Palau embassy in Vietnam has not been allocated by a Palau Embassy to UAE got a budget a $50,000 appropriation from the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. (With reports from Bernadette Carreon)