'We've Done Well Despite The Odds'

With Kiribati celebrating its 25th independence anniversary this month, the event will be full of symbolism and memory for one man: Ieremaia Tabai, the country's first elected president.

Tabai was 30 when he became president in 1979 and remained head of government until 1991 when he had to step down in accordance with the country's constitution. Under the constitution, he had to step down after completing his third term of four years.

Talking to Islands Business outside his just-launched FM radio station at Tarawa, Tabai reminisces about the Kiribati of then, now and future. Here's an abbreviated extract of the interview‹

Q: How is it like to be celebrating 25th years of independence?

"Well, it has not been easy to survive in a big world as we are very small but in my view we have survived reasonably well. Of course, there were problems along the way but that is to be accepted. Looking back, I'm quite happy."

Q: Are you amazed at how far the country has come?

"In a way, it was very hard to predict what's going to happen. But as it turned out, we are reasonably happy. I'm sure we could have done things better, but it has not been a bad attempt on our part. I consider our constitution to be a fairly good one. We've got a combination of the American and Westminster systems which I believe is working and helps us maintain stability."

Q: So, there are no regrets in going independent?

"At that time we had no choice really. The United Kingdom was very keen to give us our independence, and whether we liked it or not, it was going to happen. The issue was whether we were going to make it work. And here we are, only history will tell whether we've succeeded or not. But I think we have been pragmatic and we accept the responsibility that we now have to provide a better life for our community."

Q: On overcrowding in South Tarawa, should there be a policy to get people to move out, perhaps move into north Tarawa?

"It's not going to be easy. It's a human tendency to concentrate on certain areas. But in the future, Christmas Island could be the answer."

Q: During your time, HIV-AIDS was unheard of. Now it's a big issue.

"It's a big issue now and the government is very concerned about the problem, parliamentarians included. In the last meeting of parliament, a committee of parliamentarians was formed chaired by the Minister of Health.

Education, of course, is the key and on radio and papers now, they are being used to alert people on what to do in order to protect them."

Q: What about the private sector?

"The scene in the private sector here has changed in my view. Now there are more players doing business. I think there has been a change in the attitude of many people. In the past, government ran the main businesses. Now it's no longer the case and it's going to change more in the future."

Q: Your administration created international headlines when it struck a fishing deal with the Soviet Union in the early 1980s. Was that a difficult time for you?

"Oh, it was very difficult. You will see if you read what was said in those days in the minutes of parliament. In the general elections during that time, while I won my seat, I won it with a reduced majority because of the Russian deal. The Catholic Church was very much opposed to the deal. I had a visit from the Bishop at that time, and the moderator of the KPC (Kiribati Protestant Church) and they tried to convince me to change. I think they were fearful that we were going to allow the Communists to come in. But I must say I was so pleased with the deal we got. Our arguments on the deal were on very solid grounds and I was prepared to go down with it."

Q: Was it raised at the Pacific Islands Forum summit?

"Not in the Forum proper but in the margins of the Forum. I remember one time at the height of the controversy when I visited Fiji, I was surprised to be met for the first time by the Deputy Prime Minister (the late) Ratu David Toganivalu.

"He met me at the airport and took me to the Gateway (Hotel) and tried to convince me that what I was doing was wrong. But I told him politely that I knew I was right and I won't change my mind. I was similarly approached by Bob Hawke in Rarotonga on the margins of the Forum, again I just could not understand why I need to change my mind."

Q: How can you tackle unemployment?

"It's a big problem in South Tarawa and in terms of the wantok system, relatives who come and stay with you, it becomes really hard. To survive in South Tarawa you need cash income and cash income is minimal. People are unemployed and I don't know how they are surviving."

Q: Do you believe the country has done well 25 years later?

"Well, I want to believe that, but I think I will leave it to others to be the judge of that."

Q: So what made you go into the media business after presidency?

"Because I am very political by nature and I always harbour the view that it's bad for any community to have its media monopolised by one body, in our case, the government."

Q: Twelve years as president, you stepped down in accordance with the constitution. Do you think it's a bit unfair?

"I must admit I'm really happy that I'm no longer in that position. I was relieved when it was over. One thing good about constitution is that we have a limited term for the head of government. I still believe 12 years is too long."