Vanuatu has new President

Press, 31 January 1989, Page 8

Vanuatu has new President

NZPA-Reuter Port Vila Vanuatu elected Fred Timakata President yesterday to replace its first head of State, now in jail facing charges of incitement to mutiny. The former Health Minister, Mr Timakata, won overwhelming support from Vanuatu’s electoral college which had sacked Ati George Sokomanu for “gross misconduct.” Sokomanu, who had been President since the New Hebrides won independence from joint An-glo-French rule in 1980, was arrested last month after he tried to dissolve parliament and install his nephew, Barak Sope, and five others to lead a rival Government. Mr Timakata, a member of the ruling Vanuaaku Pati who moved the motion to dismiss Mr Sokomanu before an electoral college meeting on January 12, pledged to keep the ceremonial office out of politics. All but one of the college voted for Mr Timakata against two other candidates, a former Chief Minister, George Kalsakau, and a car

salesman Bill Kalsrap. The college comprises members of Parliament and heads of local government councils. In a brief speech after being sworn in by the Chief Justice, Frederick Cooke, Mr Timakata appealed to the 150,000 Melanesian islanders to help maintain unity. The Prime Minister, Walter Lini, an Anglican priest whose rivalry with Mr Sope dragged the Presidential office into the political arena, said he would ensure democracy flourished. Mr Timakata, aged 52, a Presbyterian, was Deputy Prime Minister until 1983 and then Speaker of Parliament for four years until becoming Health Minister in 1987. Police and para-mili-tary troops guarded the square in front of Parliament where Mr Timakata was sworn in. “The situation is calm throughout Vanuatu. Some islanders, mainly supporters of Sope, are unhappy but there is no danger of large-scale civil unrest,” a senior official said.