Kiribati

Letters

Kiribati rocket

Dear Sir,

The article on “Rocket launch” by Michael Field in your December, 1996 issue, is of particular interest to me.

I believe that the statement from the American-led consortium that it has always been their intention not to use Kiritimati Island in the Republic of Kiribati as a rocket-launching site, but to do their launching from the International waters on the Equator south of Kiritimati is sheer nonsense.

Although I am not an expert on maritime law, nor on the Law of the Sea, I believe that there is no interna tional water between Kiritimati and the Equator. That is all within the FEZ of the Republic of Kiribati, and to which Kiribati has sovereign rights, which deserve every respect.

I challenge this American-led con sortium not to cheat nor adopt an arro gant and bullying stance, similar to that of the USA in regard to fisheries, which has now been abandoned.

I also challenge the Kiribati gov ernment to pursue and complete the water delineation/demarcation exer cise, which I understand has started by the Forum Fisheries Agency, and to review its relevant laws to counter the somewhat capitalistic tricks and manipulations now implicit to be played against it. June, 1998 is not that far away. All the best to Kiribati.

Natan Brechtefeld

Majuro Republic of the Marshall Islands

Dear Sir,

I refer to the article in December’s edition of your magazine which refers to the fact that Kiribati will miss out on becoming an international

rocket launch site.

In my opinion, this is a monstrous injustice and I urge all readers to contact their congressman, member of parliament, senator etc,, and ask them to ensure that Kiribati has the opportunity to turn its dream into a reality.

I’m sure that the people of Kiribati are

looking to larger countries, particularly

Australia, for assistance in this matter. We must not let them down.

Ted Davis

New South Wales Australia

Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor Pacififc Islands Monthly PO Box 1167 Suva Fiji