| Tuvalu News |
PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT
Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
TUVALU REQUESTS MORE TIME FROM FIJI IMMIGRATION TO DEAL WITH CHINESE TUVALU PASSPORT HOLDERS
SUVA, Fiji Islands (July 13, 1999 - PACNEWS/INCL)---The Tuvalu Government has
asked Fiji immigration officials for an additional week’s time to consider a
final decision on the fate of three ethnic Chinese Tuvalu passport holders who
were detained at Fiji International Airport early this year.
Principal Immigration officer Joe Nalewabau said Tuvalu officials have not yet
decided what to do with the three men who reportedly had their passports stolen
in early February.
Nalewabau told Fiji’s Island Network News that one of the men has returned to
China. The other two are awaiting the outcome of the decision from Tuvalu.
Nalewabau said he expects the Tuvalu Government will want the men to pay another
US$ 12, 000 for new Tuvalu passports.
Immigration officials have not released the names of the two men, who are
believed to be businessmen.