Politics
President Tito Goes To The Poll In Panic Mode
Can he muster enough support to be re-elected?
Noises that Kiribati's long-time Opposition leader, Dr Harry Tong stands a real chance of ousting President Teburoro Tito in the November 29 poll came not from the medical doctor, but from the incumbent himself. One single word aptly sums up Tito's behaviour in weeks leading up to the election: PANICKY.
Not that Tong and his group didn't have adequate warnings.
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Disturbing developments that Tito and his eight-year old administration were gradually averse to criticisms and generally negative stories became evident early in the year with the proposed amendment to the Kiribati newspaper act.
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Huge fines were suggested for newspapers that publish stories that the government-appointed registrar of newspapers deem unbalanced and unfair.
Newspapers could also face de-registration if they ran foul with the authorities.
There are some, however, who feel that worrying signs started emerging long before this year. Like the banning from Kiribati of AFP correspondent, Michael Field, after he wrote about Tarawa's massive rubbish problem in 1999.
University of the South Pacific academic Teweiariki Teaero felt Field's banning was uncalled for. He believes Field's report was accurate, and shooting the messenger was an "unhealthy option, if not a dangerous one".
Even the national maneaba (parliament) wrapped up its final session in September with its fair share of controversies. Tong was ordered out of the house by the Speaker when he fell foul of another of Tito's newly introduced laws: allegations heard in the house must be backed up with evidence. That was only the beginning.
No sooner had the campaign gone into full swing when Tito striked again. He ordered police to stop the distribution of Tong's political pamphlets on South Tarawa, Kiribati's most densely populated settlement, where Tito and Tong are seeking re-election.
Tong's colourful brochure titled "Te Bitaki & Te Kamarurung Ibukin Eutan Riki Kiribati" (Change & Improvements for Developing Kiribati further), basically contains his manifesto.
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Tong and his supporters claimed police never acted on Tito's orders. But even by then over 20,000 copies of the manifesto had been distributed.
By including the republic's coat of arms and national flag in the brochure, Tito claimed Tong had contravened the country's National Identity Act, which bans the reprinting of the country's two national identities without the permission of the president.
It was during this time that Islands Business obtained documents that raised questions about the Chinese Government's involvement in the campaign.
Government documents revealed a Bairiki co-operative society received a cheque of AUS$5000 when it actually needed only $880 to pay for some sports uniforms. The society was told the balance of the Chinese donation must be given to a government secretary - a personal assistant to one of Tito's ministers - who's also seeking re-election.
Interviewed by telephone at his Tarawa mansion, Chinese ambassador to Kiribati, Shuxue Ma insisted there was nothing wrong with the donation. He also confirmed presenting gifts to communities around Tarawa in the past few weeks. But he argued that gifts distributed on the eve of the poll were a mere "coincidence."
It is no secret that Beijing would rather see Tito re-elected for his third and final four-year term as President of Kiribati. Tong had made it clear that if elected into office, among the first to go would be China's massive satellite tracking station at South Tarawa.
When news of the unusual Chinese donations were picked up by the two Suva-based news agencies, PINA Nius and Pacnews and re-broadcast in Tarawa, journalists at the government-owned Radio Kiribati and the weekly government newspaper got threatening letters from the President's office.
In re-broadcasting the alleged Chinese interference with the electoral campaign, journalists were accused of "political involvement" and threatened with legal actions. They were also told that with the absence overseas of the information minister, they were now answerable to Tito, who was acting information minister.
President Tito has zero tolerance for criticisms and clear signs of panic were demonstrated when his office took the unprecedented step of issuing a media statement to reassure the nation that contrary to a website report in New Zealand, the United States army was not invading Kiribati.
The truth sank in a day later: the invasion story was actually satirical in nature; poking fun at the United States President's foreign policy.
Tito was too caught up with the campaign that he could not find time to respond to questions from Islands Business. "The President is very busy with domestic duties," says Toani Takirua, Tito's private secretary. "He does not have the spare time to answer your questions."
Five months ago, however, Tito said he was prepared to serve his country for his final term "if that is the wish of the people and (my) party."
He was not even keen to speak of his personal chances of re-election then, saying it would be for others to speak on the matter.
"However, I am quite confident that the policies we have put in place have the full support of the large majority of the people.
"This gives me a sense of confidence that the party and members behind these policies have a high probability of returning and forming a government again."
Asked about achievements he would describe as "major" in his eight years as president, Tito provided a total of 18. Number one was providing "an open, honest, transparent and very democratic government with three very separate and very independent arms."
Many no doubt will dispute that. Especially founding president and Tito's predecessor, Ieremaia Tabai.
After serving his three consecutive terms, the constitution bars Tabai from vying for the presidency. He can only now serve as a member of parliament.
