PACIFIC/NAURU: Nauru closes missions in Beijing and Washington

NAURU DIPLOMAT CRIES FOUL OVER MISSION CLOSURES

By Peter Wagner

HONOLULU, (Pacific Islands Report, July 23) – The Nauru government has 
abruptly closed two of its diplomatic posts, opened just five months ago in 
Beijing and Washington, D.C..

Nauru president Ludwig Scotty made the announcement yesterday, citing 
economic constraints. But the president also noted that the missions – set up 
to address U.S. concerns about money laundering and terrorism – were not 
staffed by Nauru citizens and "were not serving their intended purposes."

Scotty said all appointments of non-Nauruans at the two missions were 
rescinded.

"Our country has not weakened in its resolve to assist the United States and 
other governments, including China, in the fight against international 
criminal organizations money-laundering, or terrorism," he said in a prepared 
statement.

The two posts were opened in February, shortly after a visit to Washington by 
late Nauru president Bernard Dowiyogo. The missions were meant, in part, to 
address concerns raised by the U.S. over money-laundering activities 
associated with Nauru’s once-flourishing offshore banking industry and the 
sale of Nauru passports.

Yesterday’s announcement drew a sharp response from Steven M. Ray, Nauru’s 
Consul General Designate in Washington, who called Scotty’s announcement 
"politically suspect."

"President Ludwig Scotty has not formally notified us of his decision to 
close the diplomatic mission here in Washington, D.C.," Ray said in a press 
release.

He noted Scotty’s announcement came on the heels of an action by newly 
elected Member of Parliament Russel Kun, a reform candidate, against parties 
suspected of illegal passport dealing in Nauru. Ray said Kun had ordered 
records of suspected dealers turned over to the Washington diplomatic office 
last week.

"If President Scotty is truly the reformer he claims to be, then he would 
support the efforts of the two diplomatic missions, instead of trying to 
justify his decision by claiming "economic" reasons," Ray said. "Both of the 
diplomatic missions cost Nauru nothing. There was no physical property in 
Washington, only a mail drop. Nauru did not front any of the costs involved 
in the Beijing Embassy, and there was certainly never any salary or expenses 
paid to either representative. The reasons behind his decision and the timing 
of this announcement are remarkable."

Scotty said the mission closures were temporary, "until Nauru resolves 
appropriate staffing and other functional issues."

July 23, 2003

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