Sun, Feb 15, 2004 page4

• Fishing around for new opportunities

  Kiribati President Anote Tong visited Taiwan this week for the first time since his country established diplomatic ties in November last year. Leader of a country that he describes as located ``in the middle of nowhere,'' Tong nevertheless believes Kiribati has the potential to bring itself economic success, and this week he signed a cooperation agreement with president Chen Shui-bian to further that end. Tong talked with 'Taipei Times' reporters Melody Chen and Graham Norris about Kiribati's lengthy decision to forge ties, his vision for the country and how the former Chinese ambassador forced him to change his telephone number

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  Taipei Times: What were the major difficulties you faced when deciding to switch your country's diplomatic ties from Beijing to Taipei?

  Anote Tong: First, change is of course very difficult. We are, by nature, a conventional people. Change of this kind is really a challenge. We thought about the establishment of relations with Taiwan after Taiwan approached us.

  

  Kiribati President Anote Tong says that his small Pacific-island nation has more potential than many observers have given credit for.

  PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

  It took us a long time [to make the decision]. We realized that building a relationship with Taiwan would give us a lot more options. The Cabinet made the decision. It was also debated in the parliament.

  TT: How do you compare the way China treats the Pacific island nations with the way Taiwan treats them?

  Tong: Our experience with Taiwan is relatively short and we only have [had] the relationship for three months. What has happened since we established a relationship with Taiwan in November last year is substantially different from our relationship [with China]. China is a big country with a lot of things on its global agenda. Taiwan is in a different category. We are a very small country. We are one of the many countries that China had maintained relationships with. We are much less significant in China than we are in Taiwan.

  TT: What kind of pressure did China place on you after you decided to establish diplomatic ties with Taiwan?

  Tong: Somehow they managed to learn that we had the approach from Taiwan for establishment of relations.

  Throughout the period I had a lot of pressure from the [Chinese] ambassador, who rang me early in the morning, in the middle of the night, two o'clock in the morning. That's pressure. I had to change my telephone number to get away from that.

  But [the Chinese ambassador's behavior] was not necessary. I think we have the maturity to make our own decisions.

  It took us a long time to consider the issue. For me, it took me weeks even just to decide to take the issue to the Cabinet. At the end of the day, I believed it was not up to [me] to decide -- I had to take it to the Cabinet. I believed that it is the right of the Cabinet and the people to have this issue considered more widely.

  The Cabinet did not decide for weeks. The same reservations that I had, they also had. There was [partial] agreement when going through the whole process. But I said no, I wanted full agreement. There were dissenting voices. But eventually everyone in the Cabinet supported that.

  TT: How will the agricultural and technical cooperation agreement you signed here help Kiribati?

  Tong: Kiribati is comprised of atolls. Atolls are not conducive to agricultural development because of [the quality of the] soil. I had some opportunities to observe some of the projects and techniques of Taiwan's agricultural sector. I am very attracted to their ability to carry out very intensive farming.

  TT: You have said that fish are one of the most abundant resources Kiribati has and that you want to attract investment to develop the fish-processing industry in your country. What other investment opportunities can Kiribati offer?

  Tong: The [processing industry] will be a huge development. We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars we are taking out of our waters every year, but Kiribati only gets 5 or 6 percent of the value. The rest is taken by countries, including Taiwan, that fish in our waters. Hopefully when that [processing industry] develops, our economy will grow.

  TT: Have you talked to any Taiwanese companies about securing investment for fish-processing facilities?

  Tong: I would say the response from Taiwan has been very positive. I think it is the best I have experienced. I have talked to many countries in ... different capacities. I have talked to Japan about something like that. Of course this would challenge their own industry. I could understand that.

  Taiwan has been very positive. This is only possible because I think we now have a diplomatic relationship. Without that, it would never be possible. These companies have a very firm interest, very firm ideas about what they can do for us.

  TT: What is your vision for Kiribati?

  Tong: My vision for Kiribati is to establish a sound economic base. I have read many reports about services in our economy. They are all very negative, saying we have bleak potential for economic survival. That's very negative.

  I think we have the potential. We just haven't been shown how to do it. So foremost on my agenda is our economy.

  We have huge social problems. We have to be able to find jobs and opportunities for our young people. That's my dream to provide something better. That's what leadership is.

  TT: I believe you are under some pressure in Kiribati to launch an investigation into allegations made by your brother that you received political donations from the Taiwanese government for your presidential campaign. How do you think this will affect your government and its relations with Taiwan?

  Tong: If there is substance in the allegations, I think it is important for an investigation to be carried out. We want to do it through an independent commission.
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