Banaba bid fails

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 8

Banaba bid fails

NZPA-Reuter ’ . London A British Conservative politician has failed in his bid to prevent the Banaban Islanders from being included [in ■ the Kiribati Republic, (which will be formed when independence is granted io the Gilbert Islands. Sir Bernard Braine, a campaigner for the 3500 Banabans of Ocean Island, which they call Banaba, asked Parliament to exclude them from the Kiribati Republic. His proposal was defeated by 150 votes to 58. Sir Bernard said his scheme would prevent the Banabans, who he said were mainly Fijian citizens, from (being forced to live in a state | to which they did not wish I to belong. ( Mr Peter Baker, Foreign ) Office Minister of State, said Ithe Banabans would continue

to have their rights to land on Ocean Island and- could come and go as they wished. The Banaban Islanders, who now live on Rabi Island, were offered SI2M compensation by Australia, Britain, and New Zealand for the ravaging of Ocean Island by phosphate mining. The Gilbert Islands Administration has opposed the separation of Ocean Island.

Mr Baker told Parliament many constitutional rights were assured to the Banabans, including the right of veto in the Gilbertese Representative Council on certain matters affecting them, and the Gilbert Islands Government had pledged to conclude a treaty with Britain or any other Commonwealth Government to safeguard the rights of the Banabans after independence, later .this year. Another proposal by Sir

Bernard that the Banabans be granted self-government under the over-all sovereignty of the Kiribati Government was rejected by 142 votes to 45. The Kiribati Bill, which is expected to become law in time to give the Gilbert Islands independence next month, was later given a third reading without a vote. Sir Bernard said the decision to run roughshod over the Banabans’ aspirations would be a source of unhappiness, friction, and unrest. But Mr Baker said he believed the Government of the Gilbert Islands intended to fulfil the undertakings — “exceptional in their generosity” — which had been given. The bill will now go to the House of Lords for approval..