POLITICAL REVIEWS· MICRONESIA 147 the NLGC Dissolution Act is unconstitu­ vice president for Finance and for Eco­ tional is set for hearing at the next nomic Planning assigned to Taomati Supreme Court session in mid-1992. Iuta. Members ofthe Protestant church Meanwhile, an application for an from the southern island constituen­ interim injunction restraining Cabinet cies, Boanareke Boanareke (Tamana), and the secretary for justice from seek­ Inatoa Tebania (Onotoa), and Tiwau ing to enforce or implement the NLGC Awira were appointed ministers. The Dissolution Act "until the hearing of central islands are represented in the the action or until further order" was government by the members from Abe­ dismissed by ChiefJustice Sir Gaven mama and Maiana, both ofwhom are Donne on 22 March following three Catholics. Representing the northern days ofhearings. Gilbert Islands are the members from The NLGC contended that the trans­ Betio, North Tarawa, and Makin, as fer of its assets (to Nauru Council) well as the Beretitenti himself, who is deprived the NLGC of property and per­ from Abaiang. All these members are mitted the abolition ofthe Nauru Catholics, with the exception of the Lands Committee, thus interfering member for North Tarawa. with certain rights and freedoms guar­ The new members of parliament anteed to Nauruans under Article 3 of from the southern islands of Onotoa the constitution. However, the court and Tabiteuea North were probably decided that the parliament had acted appointed ministers because of their in good faith when it entrusted cabinet support for the new president. Binata with the powers and functions of the Tetaeka, from Makin in the north, has NLGC, and concluded that "to halt the always been a strong supporter of the NLGC Dissolution Act in the interim National Progressive Party, and there­ could not serve the public interest." fore deserving of a ministerial appoint­ The court stated that "there is no rea­ ment, in spite of the president's elec­ son to believe that Cabinet will admin­ toral defeat in his constituency. The ister the property in any worse way nonappointment of the members from than the Council." Butaritari and Marakei was due to the JULIE OLSSON low level of support for the incumbent political executive among voters there. The member for North Tarawa, Baitika Toum, probably cemented his KIRIBATI ministerial claim on his reputation as a The newly elected president (or Bereti­ supporter of the ruling party. Remuera tenti), the Honorable Teatao Teannaki, Tateraka and Anterea Kaitaake, from was sworn in on 3 June 1991. The new Maiana and Abemama respectively, government was formed on the basis of were appointed ministers to boost the party politics, and to maintain regional numbers on the government's side, as and religious equilibrium. The stalwart well as to provide for ministerial repre­ members of the National Progressive sentation from the Central Islands. Party were retained in the new Cabi­ The first meeting of the Maneaba ni net, with the important portfolios of Maungatabu did not take place until =

148 THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· SPRING 1993

December 1991, in spite of the pressing the People's Republic of China, are need for the government to appropriate geared toward improving the tourist more public funds. Urgent issues to be trade. addressed included the closure of Te The introduction ofthe 1992 budget Mautari Limited, the national fisheries provided the opportunity for the new company; the laying off of some of the government to review the level of taxa­ staff in the Tungaru Central Hospital tion on employees and the business and in certain ministries; the reporting community, and to announce salary of alleged maltreatment of patients at increases in the public service. The rate the Tungaru Central Hospital; and the of personal income tax was fixed at 35 eviction ofovercrowded landowners percent for all employees, with a tax from their lands on urban South rebate of 25 percent for low income Tarawa, land that had been declared earners. water reserves. Petitions relating to the Tabiteuea The government's policy statement North election were heard in the High generally resembled that of the outgo­ Court, and resulted in the disqualifica­ ing Tabai government, and contained tion of a government minister and sub­ neither new ideas nor vision. It made sequently of his wife who succeeded the usual reference to financial pru­ him as member of parliament. Minister dence and conservative management of ofWorks and Energy Teaiwa Tenieu the reserve funds, but offered no real was found guilty of bribery because he plan to raise the standard of living or to gave gifts oftobacco to the unimane deal with the steadily declining per cap­ 'old men' during his campaign visits to ita income of the I-Kiribati. The the village maneabas and to the Island emphasis is still on rural development, Council. The defense lawyer argued with scant attention given to urban that in Kiribati custom, the tobacco problems of overcrowding, poor sani­ gift is an accepted symbol of respect tation, unemployment, crime, over­ and the paying of homage (mweaka) to strained services, and lack of support the spirits and people of the village. for effective municipal administration. Nevertheless, the court ruled that the The government's development pro­ presentation of tobacco and the provi­ gram highlighted the development of sion of transport for electors on elec­ marine resources, particularly through tion day constituted violations ofthe the resuscitation of the ailing Te Election Act. Mautari Limited, and feasibility stu­ Tamwi Naotarai, from Betio, dies for pearl aquaculture. Plans to replaced the disqualified Teaiwa develop the Line Islands for resettle­ Tenieu as minister for Works and ment and tourism were carried over Energy. Tamwi was a member ofthe from the Tabai government. The opposition, and his recruitment to min­ resumption of the expensive air service isterial ranks served to increase the from Tarawa to Honolulu via Kiriti­ numbers on the government's side. mati, and the upgrading ofthe Bonriki The by-election for the vacant Tabi­ International Airport, funded from a teuea North seat was won by the wife controversial US$7 million grant from ofthe former member, Nei Koriri POLITICAL REVIEWS· MICRONESIA 149

Tenieu. The election of a young and debate. The two bills were Tarawa woman in a predominantly opposed by the government, but in a male-controlled community was a division on each bill the majority of pleasant surprise to the nation, but it members voted in favor ofthem both. was a strong reflection of Kiribati cul­ The Litter Bill is an attempt to provide ture and a rebuttal of the High Court's for the proper management and con­ judgment. The Tabiteuea people, trol of litter in public places, and renowned for their pride, were makes the throwing oflitter in a public offended that the High Court saw the place an offense. The Income Tax giving of tobacco to their old men as a Amendment Bill proposes to exempt form of bribery rather than as a from taxation the income of coopera­ mweaka. However, another election tive societies, as well as allowances petition brought similar charges such as pension payments, and housing against Nei Koriri to those made and entertainment allowances for busi­ against her husband. The High Court nesses. again ruled in favor ofthe petition, and The controversial loan from the Nei Koriri Teaiwa was disqualified. People's Republic of China to upgrade Another by-election is now pending for the Bonriki International Airport was the North Tabiteuea seat. hotly debated, but the government The formation of a new political managed to secure a favorable vote in party, Te Maneaba Party, ensured that the end. The Maneaba Party opposed the ruling party has to battle for its the project as being too expensive and security. Following a series of discus­ badly timed, and more beneficial to the sions among leading members of oppo­ Chinese people than to the I-Kiribati. sition factions in parliament (Reitani The government argued that an airport Kiribati, Te Waaki ae Boou, and of international standard is essential Eriko), it was agreed that the only fea­ for economic growth, as it will facili­ sible way to topple the National Pro­ tate the arrival of bigger planes and gressive Party from power was to form generate more tourism. a single party. Decisions and debates The government had serious prob­ within the Maneaba Party will be car­ lems securing additional land to ried out in Kiribati style. Its leader will upgrade the Bonriki International Air­ be chosen by secret ballot before the port. Bonriki landowners have been end of1992, and will be the Maneaba very poorly compensated for the con­ Party presidential candidate for the siderable amount of land already next general elections. acquired for the airport and for water Notable features of the May 1992 reserves. They would not agree to give meeting of the Maneaba ni Maunga­ more land to the government unless the tabu were the passing of a number of government agreed to lease the water private members' bills and the relative reserves, which cover about 75 percent absence ofthe government's business. of Bonriki village. The matter The Litter Bill and the Income Tax remained unresolved at the end ofthe Amendment Bill moved by Roniti period under review.

Teiwaki attracted considerable interest RONITI TEIWAKI