Foreign relations of Nauru
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[edit] Introduction
Following independence in 1968, Nauru joined the Commonwealth as a Special Member. Special Members take part in all Commonwealth activities except heads of government meetings. They are not assessed but make voluntary contributions toward the running of the Secretariat. They are eligible for all forms of technical assistance. Nauru became a full member of the Commonwealth in May 1999, but having fallen behind in payments, reverted to Special Member Status on July 1 2005.
[edit] Memberships
Nauru was admitted to the United Nations in 1999. It is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, the South Pacific Commission, and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission.
[edit] Hosting Refugees
In 2001 Nauru became host to approximately 867 refugees, mostly Afghan, who were intercepted while attempting to enter Australia illegally. A total of 549 of them remain on the island; 318 of these have agreed to return to Afghanistan after receiving a cash package from Australia. Nauru reportedly received about $10 million in assistance from Australia in exchange for agreeing to house the refugees while their asylum applications are adjudicated.
[edit] Ties with China
On July 21, 2002, Prime Minister Rene Harris of Nauru signed a joint communiqué in Hong Kong to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.[1] In the document, the Government of the Republic of Nauru recognised that, "...that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory."[2] The declaration also contained an undertaking by Nauru to close its embassy in Taipei within one month, which was curious because Nauru had never had a diplomatic mission in Taiwan. This move followed the PRC's promise to provide more than $130 million USD in aid.
That same day, the Republic of China government issued an ultimatum, demanding that the communiqué be withdrawn within 24 hours or it would take the initiative and sever ties. There was much dissension within the Nauruan government over the move by Harris, which the prime minister was alleged to have made on his own initiative. In the confusion, the Nauru government did not respond to the ultimatum, which was extended an additional 24 hours, and the ROC followed through with its threat, breaking ties that had existed since 1980 on July 23, 2002. In 2003 Nauru closed its embassy in Beijing, prompting speculation of an imminent resumption of ties with the ROC.[3]
In April 2005, during a state visit to the Marshall Islands, ROC President Chen Shui-bian met and spoke with the Nauruan President Ludwig Scotty. On May 14, 2005, the two countries signed the necessary documents to restore formal ties and reopen embassies.[4] The People's Republic of China consequently severed ties two weeks later on May 31.
[edit] Ties with the United States of America
The Nauruan government has a very complex relationship with the United States; the government of Bernard Dowiyogo agreed to stop passport sales and offshore banking in return for an extensive aid package. However, that aid has not been delivered and Nauru's formal and traditional leaders are now looking to Japan and China for assistance.
[edit] Ties with the UK
The Nauruan government maintains an Hon. Consul, Martin W I Weston, who has served in this role for a number of years. The British Government had ceased to exercise any direct role in the governance of Nauru by 1968.
[edit] Ties with the Rest of the World
Nauru has diplomatic relations with most states in Oceania. It also has ties with most major industrial countries, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, France, the UK, Germany, Spain, Canada, the United States of America, South Africa and India.
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Brazil in November 2005.[5]
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Vietnam on June 23, 2006. [6]
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Kosovo on April 23, 2008. [7]
[edit] See also
[edit] Missions in Nauru
- Australia (Consulate General) [8]
- Republic of China (Embassy) [9]
[edit] External links
- Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade pages on Nauru
- The U.S. Department of State's page on Nauru
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