Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
No record.
Perception of peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is seen as a possibility of employment with other nations: Australia and New Zealand.
Domestic political environment
Presidential campaigns, relations with China and Taiwan, and rising seas are just a few of the issues forming Kiribati’s political agenda. Anote Tong narrowly defeated his older brother, Harry, in presidential elections in July 2003 (BBC 2006z, par. 3). The president has also highlighted the "very real" threat to the country from climate change and rising sea levels (Ibid.). But the main reason that has pushed the government to consider seeking employment for its citizens as peacekeepers is economic conditions. For example, in 2005 he identified rapidly-rising population levels and youth unemployment as challenges for Kiribati (Ibid.).
Domestic economic environment
Kiribati's economy was supported by revenues from phosphate mining on Banaba until the deposits were exhausted in 1979 (Thomson 2006g, par. 4). Since then, the nation has relied on fishing, subsistence agriculture, and exports of copra, recently 80–95% of exports, and fish, 4–20% of exports (Ibid.). But this has not been enough. The country is heavily dependent on aid from the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and China (Ibid.). This has created economic conditions that have highly concerned the government on its search for diversification.
The president of Kiribati, Anote Tong, says he would like Kiribati to seek overseas employment as peacekeepers or as soldiers in Australia and New Zealand. Smaller Pacific countries have been pushing for New Zealand and Australia to allow in workers from the islands for such activities as seasonal agricultural work and they say this would boost the island economies through remittances. Last week’s Pacific summit in Port Moresby agreed to give the proposal more consideration. President Tong says Kiribati has very little to trade and for some years has depended on selling its labor, usually as crew on ships. But Tong says with its rapidly growing population, Kiribati needs to keep looking for other opportunities. [Tong] Our economy does not allow us to provide that for them, so we have to look around. During recent discussions I raised the possibility of maybe having our people on peacekeeping missions, even military recruits into New Zealand, and why not Australia as well? (RNZI 2005, par. 1)
Legislation providing for the establishment of a defence force of 170 men was repealed in 1978 (Thomson 2006g par. 1). There is a small police force. Australia and New Zealand provide defence assistance (Ibid.). Kiribati has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since July 2003 (RAMSI 2006a, par. 1).
Foreign policy
Kiribati is concerned about a variety of issues that affect Pacific island-states (Thomson 2006g, par. 4). In particular, Kiribati has expressed concern regarding French nuclear testing in the area, the prospects of long-term increase in the elevation of the sea level, the economic viability of microstates, and global warming due to greenhouse gases (Ibid.). Peacekeeping is not a priority.
Kiribati participates in many Commonwealth activities and hosted the South Pacific Forum in 1981. Kiribati was admitted to the UN in September 1999 (Ibid., par. 6). Kiribati has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since July 2003 (RAMSI 2006a, par. 1).
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
The country won independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 (BBC 2006z, par. 1). Many of the atolls are inhabited; most of them are very low-lying and at risk from rising sea levels (Ibid.).
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
The president of Kiribati, Anote Tong, says he would like Kiribati citizens to seek overseas employment as peacekeepers or as soldiers in Australia and New Zealand (RNZI 2005, par. 1).
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping. The Pacific summit in Port Moresby agreed to give the proposal more consideration. President Tong says Kiribati has very little to trade and for some years has depended on selling its labor, usually as crew on ships (Ibid.).
