Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SUVA424
2007-08-28 17:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Suva
Cable title:
SCOTTY TEAM WINS NAURU ELECTION; REFORMS EXPECTED
how-toVZCZCXRO2659 PP RUEHPB DE RUEHSV #0424 2401725 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281725Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY SUVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0035 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0303 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1781 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1352 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1551 RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 0508 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0917 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 0022 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI
C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000424
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV NR
SUBJECT: SCOTTY TEAM WINS NAURU ELECTION; REFORMS EXPECTED
TO CONTINUE
REF: SUVA 408
Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000424
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV NR
SUBJECT: SCOTTY TEAM WINS NAURU ELECTION; REFORMS EXPECTED
TO CONTINUE
REF: SUVA 408
Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).
1. (U) Nauru's general election on August 25 returned the
"reform" government of President Ludwig Scotty to power. All
of Scotty's cabinet team won re-election. All opposition
members were defeated, except for former President Rene
Harris. Former President Kinza Clodumar, a Scotty opponent
seeking a comeback, also lost. On August 28, the new
Parliament gathered and selected Scotty over Marcus Stephen
as President by a 14-3 vote. Stephen, a former world-class
weight lifter was a member of Scotty's cabinet two years ago,
but that relationship cooled. The previous Speaker of
Parliament, Veldon Dowiyogo, retained his position by a 13-5
vote over Rene Harris. Harris becomes, seemingly by default,
Leader of the Opposition.
2. (C) We hear Scotty has not changed any Cabinet portfolios.
However, Nauru's High Commissioner in Suva Kennan Adeang
says his son David, the Foreign and Finance Minister, may in
time push for a reshuffle. David Adeang, who is effectively
the leader of the reformist group under Scotty, is
dissatisfied with the work of some ministers, especially
Industry Minister Freddy Pitcher. Adeang says Pitcher always
looks busy in his important "phosphate" portfolio, but he is
not getting anything done.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Per reftel, the "reform" team's landslide victory
presumably sets the stage for: a continuation of Nauru's
recognition of Taiwan; an infusion of AUSAID funding to
assist resumption of Nauru's phosphate industry; and approval
by Parliament of several constitutional amendments aimed to
institutionalize "good governance" themes. The sweeping
victory suggests the people of Nauru have accepted that
severe belt-tightening in recent years was essential. If
indeed Nauru's phosphate industry can again revive and churn
out revenues, the Scotty reform group will be tested. All
past Nauru governments when confronted with wealth wasted it,
and the public was happy to assist. Scotty and his ministers
have assured us they learned the proper lessons from past
governments' mistakes. So far they have done pretty well,
and the election gives them three more years to prove
themselves.
DINGER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV NR
SUBJECT: SCOTTY TEAM WINS NAURU ELECTION; REFORMS EXPECTED
TO CONTINUE
REF: SUVA 408
Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).
1. (U) Nauru's general election on August 25 returned the
"reform" government of President Ludwig Scotty to power. All
of Scotty's cabinet team won re-election. All opposition
members were defeated, except for former President Rene
Harris. Former President Kinza Clodumar, a Scotty opponent
seeking a comeback, also lost. On August 28, the new
Parliament gathered and selected Scotty over Marcus Stephen
as President by a 14-3 vote. Stephen, a former world-class
weight lifter was a member of Scotty's cabinet two years ago,
but that relationship cooled. The previous Speaker of
Parliament, Veldon Dowiyogo, retained his position by a 13-5
vote over Rene Harris. Harris becomes, seemingly by default,
Leader of the Opposition.
2. (C) We hear Scotty has not changed any Cabinet portfolios.
However, Nauru's High Commissioner in Suva Kennan Adeang
says his son David, the Foreign and Finance Minister, may in
time push for a reshuffle. David Adeang, who is effectively
the leader of the reformist group under Scotty, is
dissatisfied with the work of some ministers, especially
Industry Minister Freddy Pitcher. Adeang says Pitcher always
looks busy in his important "phosphate" portfolio, but he is
not getting anything done.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Per reftel, the "reform" team's landslide victory
presumably sets the stage for: a continuation of Nauru's
recognition of Taiwan; an infusion of AUSAID funding to
assist resumption of Nauru's phosphate industry; and approval
by Parliament of several constitutional amendments aimed to
institutionalize "good governance" themes. The sweeping
victory suggests the people of Nauru have accepted that
severe belt-tightening in recent years was essential. If
indeed Nauru's phosphate industry can again revive and churn
out revenues, the Scotty reform group will be tested. All
past Nauru governments when confronted with wealth wasted it,
and the public was happy to assist. Scotty and his ministers
have assured us they learned the proper lessons from past
governments' mistakes. So far they have done pretty well,
and the election gives them three more years to prove
themselves.
DINGER