Ionatana Ionatana
Ionatana Ionatana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 5th Prime Minister of Tuvalu | |
| In office 27 April 1999 – 8 December 2000 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor‑General | Tomasi Puapua |
| Preceded by | Bikenibeu Paeniu |
| Succeeded by | Lagitupu Tuilimu (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 November 1938 Funafuti, Gilbert and Ellice Islands |
| Died | 8 December 2000 (aged 62) Funafuti, Tuvalu |
Ionatana Ionatana, CVO OBE CPM (5 November 1938 – 8 December 2000), was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He represented the constituency of Funafuti in the Parliament of Tuvalu. He was the fifth prime minister, and foreign minister, from 27 April 1999 until his death on 8 December 2000.[1]
Background[edit]
He joined the police and rose to become the chief of police in 1976.[1] In 1977 he was appointed the government secretary and adviser to the cabinet.[1] On 26 April 1979, he was appointed as the ambassador to the United States (non-resident).[2][3]
Ionatana was elected to Parliament in the 1981 Tuvalu general election. Ionatana was noted for his republican leanings.
He held three portfolios in the second government of Bikenibeu Paeniu (1996 to 1998): the Minister for Health, Women and Community Affairs; Minister for Education and Culture; and the Minister for Tourism, Trade and Commerce;[4] and after the 1998 election he retained the first 2 portfolios in the 3rd government of Paeniu.[4]
Prime Minister of Tuvalu[edit]
In 1999 Ionatana succeeded Bikenibeu Paeniu as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. Ionatana was elected as prime minister on 27 April 1999.[5] Among the prominent issues of his period of office, he oversaw Tuvalu's entry into the United Nations on 5 September 2000.[1][6] Also during his term, Tuvalu obtained the lucrative .tv internet country suffix.[7]
Death[edit]
On 8 December 2000, shortly after the UN entry was completed, Ionatana suddenly collapsed and died. He had been giving a speech at the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel on Funafuti, and was 62 years old.[7] He was the first prime minister to die in office since Tuvalu became independent.[1][8] After his death Lagitupu Tuilimu took over as acting prime minister until 24 February 2001.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Craig, Robert D. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Rowman & Littlefield.
- ^ "Foreign Embassies in the U.S. and Their Ambassadors - Office of The Chief of Protocol". U.S. State Department. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Booth Conroy, Sarah (20 November 1988). "Diplomatic Departures". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Paeniu Re-Elected Tuvalu Prime Minister". Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i at Manoa /PACNEWS/tuvaluislands.com. 8 April 1998. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ^ Lansford, Tom (2015). Political Handbook of the World 2015. CQ Press.
- ^ Mason, Moya K. "Tuvalu: Flooding, Global Warming, and Media Coverage". Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ a b Field, Michael (9 December 2000). "Tuvalu's Prime Minister Ionatana Dies After Giving Speech". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ Clements, Quiton (December 2000). "Tuvalu Legislative Needs Assessment". UNDP. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
External links[edit]
- Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Prime Ministers of Tuvalu
- 1938 births
- 2000 deaths
- Ambassadors of Tuvalu to the United States
- Foreign ministers of Tuvalu
- Communication ministers of Tuvalu
- Culture ministers of Tuvalu
- Education ministers of Tuvalu
- Health ministers of Tuvalu
- Public works ministers of Tuvalu
- Trade ministers of Tuvalu
- Tourism ministers of Tuvalu
- Women's ministers of Tuvalu
- Tuvaluan republicans