To the Editor:

The recent “opinion” piece by Richard N. Salvador “A Critical Response to Mr. Surangel Whipps Address at the 81st UN General Assembly on September 23, 2026” needs a response. It is absolutely fine to hold an opinion and to disagree with Presidents – Palauan or American. But as a former U. S. Ambassador to Palau, let me inform Mr. Salvador that the spelling of my country is “America. ” I for one am not “Amerikkkan. ” Mr.

Salvador’s deliberate use, repeatedly, of three letters in his description and spelling of America – to invoke the KKK – is meant to be divisive. To use the abbreviation of such a racist organization in his article isn’t an example of critical thinking, it is cynical, abhorrent, and a blatant attempt to disparage the United States of America. While a great strength of democracy in both Palau and the U. S. is that Mr. Salvador can write what he wants. So is the right to respond. Ambassador John Hennessey-Niland (Ret) Director of the…