Reflections on Nauru

(This is the logo for Nauru's ISP cenpac.net.nr)

The island of Nauru would have to be one of the saddest places on earth. Once called Pleasant Island, this tiny piece of humanity, the smallest republic in the world, is now anything but pleasant. Over the last 90 years, phosphate mining, mainly by a UK, Australia and NZ consortium, has left 90% of Nauru, a heartland wasteland. Nauru is one of three phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean. (The others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia which is only 53 km south of the Equator).

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There are limited natural water resources here, so roof storage rainwater and an aging desalination plant are required. This is to supply a population of 13,528 (July, 2007). There is no arable land or crops. The only other natural resources are coconuts, bananas and fish.

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But Nauru has recently been hit with another curse, couched in a blessing. Since 2001, Australia has used Nauru as a detention camp for asylum seekers. It was part of the "Pacific Solution" immigration policy introduced by the then Prime Minister John Howard. The new Prime Minister, Keven Rudd, has now ended this practice. For the 21 Sri Lankan refugees detained there for the past 10 months, this is good news. Now, only Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean, will be retained as a detention, processing centre.

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However, Nauruan officials do not see the news as good news. With the loss of 100 jobs, about 1,000 people's lives will be impacted. There is simply no other alternative work available.

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Nauru gained independence in 1968 and, in 1999, joined the UN as the world's smallest independent republic. But independence is but a "paper status". Australia has been heavily entangled in phosphate agreements, and so tended to to be a weighty manipulator of the Nauruan economy. That is, until the supply of phosphate all but dried up.

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Now the huge question remains. Is Australia responsible for Nauru's future? Surely, to take the the life blood of a people means you are responsible for any future blood transfusions? Admittedly, aid was given in the late 1990's, but a lot was squandered by the prevailing government. But surely, when there are people struggling, a blind eye cannot be turned.

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Nauru has internet connections. Is there some way work on the internet could be a prime resource - separate from gtovernment intrusions? Maybe Australian companies could offer work?

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I certainly hope there is some way Australian aid agencies add Nauru to the list of needy nations. No real mother would abandon her children, would she?