Vanuatu receives money for airport

Press, 15 May 1987, Page 24

Vanuatu receives money for airport

NZPA-AAP . Vila Australia has approved an additional $ Aust 1.5 million ($1.84 million) in aid for improving Vanuatu’s Bauerfield international airport in Vila, the Australian High Commission said yesterday.

The announcement came soon after Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, the Rev: Walter Lini, said he had suspended visits to his country by Australian military aircraft and ships. He cited "Australian intelligence interference into Vanuatu affairs” as the reason. Australia’s defence cooperation programme for Vanuatu was not affected by the suspension, nor its civil aid. Tap High Commission saitf the new grant had

been approved by Foreign Minister Mr Hayden. It follows repair work valued at sAust2.s million ($3.07 million) done on the runway earlier this year and paid for by Australia. - The new work will in- , volve an additional 40 millimetres of asphalt overlay on the entire length and width of the runway and turning areas, enabling it to take jet liners as large as Boeing 7675. Like the earlier work, the project will be done out by an Australian company, Emoleum. It should be finished by July 5. The runway strengthening represents another step towards the Vanuatu Governments aim of ,a top wade international alrpofrf at Bauerfield. ’