Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SUVA428
2007-08-29 19:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

PEACE CORPS AND KIRIBATI: GOOD NEWS ON AIR SERVICE

Tags:  PREL EAID PGOV KR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3931
PP RUEHNZ RUEHPB
DE RUEHSV #0428 2411929
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291929Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0042
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1788
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1359
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1558
RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 0514
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0923
RHMFIUU/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SUVA 000428 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR TSCHETTER AND ALENE ZANGER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV KR
SUBJECT: PEACE CORPS AND KIRIBATI: GOOD NEWS ON AIR SERVICE

REF: SUVA 398

UNCLAS SUVA 000428

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR TSCHETTER AND ALENE ZANGER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV KR
SUBJECT: PEACE CORPS AND KIRIBATI: GOOD NEWS ON AIR SERVICE

REF: SUVA 398


1. (U) Following up on reftel, the Australian High
Commissioner reports that both Air Kiribati aircraft have
been flying domestic routes routinely in recent weeks. When
the CASA plane arrived back from Australia in late July,
there was an initial problem when a Kiribati agency withheld
fuel, purportedly because a bill hadn't been paid. The Tong
Government surmised "political interference" by opponents,
sacked the agency board, and got fuel flowing. Australia
still plans to place two engineers in Tarawa to build local
aircraft-maintenance capacity. One will arrive shortly;
AUSAID is attempting to recruit a second. AUSAID is prepared
also to provide technical assistance for a business plan to
incorporate an additional two aircraft, either Chinese Y-12s
or Canadian Twin Otters, into the Air Kiribati fleet. The
next step, a Kiribati Government proposal for the TA, hasn't
happened yet. The Aussies get the impression President Tong
is serious about solidifying Air Kiribati service, including
by purchasing the additional aircraft and, if necessary,
tapping the Kiribati Trust's reserve fund to do so.

Comment
--------------

2. (U) Per reftel, given the improved domestic air service
and the Australian High Commission's willingness to join with
Peace Corps to address medical issues, we believe a
full-scale Peace Corps program in Kiribati should resume.
DINGER