Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SUVA73
2009-02-26 05:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

Ambassador McGann Presents Credentials in Nauru and Tuvalu

Tags:  AMGT PGOV PREL ODIP FJ 
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R 260517Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1083
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS SUVA 000073 


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT PGOV PREL ODIP FJ
SUBJECT: Ambassador McGann Presents Credentials in Nauru and Tuvalu

NAURU

UNCLAS SUVA 000073


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT PGOV PREL ODIP FJ
SUBJECT: Ambassador McGann Presents Credentials in Nauru and Tuvalu

NAURU


1. On February 6-8, 2009, Ambassador C. Steven McGann traveled to
Nauru to present his credentials to President Marcus Stephen.
During his time in Nauru, the Ambassador met with the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Minister for Commerce, Industry & Resources,
Minister for Transport, Minister for Health, Minister for Education,
Speaker of Parliament, Chief Secretary, and Australian Consul
General. He also toured USDOE's Atmospheric Radiation Monitoring
Program station.


2. During his meetings, one of the main topics of discussion was
the possibility of Nauru providing building materials (phosphate)
for the Guam base relocation effort. Ambassador connected President
Stephen to Guam Governor Felix Camacho to pursue further
discussions. EAP/ANP might wish to follow up with Nauru Ambassador
Marlene Moses.


3. Ambassador McGann also proposed the possibility of a shipriders
agreement being signed with Nauru. The Ambassador mentioned the
recent agreement signed with Kiribati and the success of its first
shiprider mission with the U.S. Coast Guard. Nauru officials were
genuinely interested, and Ambassador said that Suva would pass along
a model of an agreement for the officials to review. Nauruan
officials also expressed their desire for a return of Peace Corp
volunteers. Ambassador McGann said he would advise Washington of
Nauru's interest.

TUVALU


4. 4. On February 17-19, 2009, Ambassador traveled to Tuvalu to
present his credentials to Governor General Filoimea Telito. While
in Tuvalu, the Ambassador met with the Minister for Public
Utilities, the Acting Minister of Finance, the Speaker of
Parliament, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Minister of
Health.


5. The major concern expressed in the meetings was the failure to
construct a promised girl's dormitory with funds from the
Humanitarian Assistance program. The bank financing the project did
not want to advance the contracting company any funds without
additional assurances. Ambassador McGann advised that the existing
contract would not be changed and urged Tuvalu's officials to
support the local contractor. We have learned that U.S. Pacific
Command is trying to find a way to go forward with the dorm project
in Tuvalu. While there is no word at this time, we are informed
that the issue is still being worked.


6. Another priority to the Ministers was the return of Peace Corps
volunteers to the region. Ambassador McGann noted this request and
relayed it to Washington. Also, the Ministers brought up the issue
of the "borrow pits," pits that were dug by U.S. forces during World
War II in order to obtain materials for constructing a runway. The
Tuvaluans now use the unfilled pits as dump sites for garbage,
causing significant environmental problems. Tuvaluan officials
renewed their request for U.S. assistance for remediation that had
previously been denied.


7. Ambassador McGann also noted that Tuvalu had expressed an
interest in a shipriders agreement during Secretary Rice's visit to
Apia, Samoa. Officials remained very open and receptive to this
idea. The Ambassador said we would send them a model agreement to
review.


8. During the visit to Tuvalu, the Ambassador also visited the
Maritime Academy. The Ambassador's visit marked the first time that
an American had visited the Academy. The Academy had expressed an
interest in receiving assistance from outside resources. Ambassador
McGann stated that he would contact the California Maritime Academy
(CMA) to help the two academies explore the possibility of
establishing a sister-school relationship. The Ambassador noted
that the Kiribati Maritime Institute also was interested in closer
ties with CMA.