Ionatana Ionatana,
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OBE
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
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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 of Tuvalu from 27 April 1999 until his death on 8 December 2000.
Background
He joined the police and rose to become the chief of police in 1976.
In 1977 he was appointed the government secretary and adviser to the cabinet.
On 26 April 1979, he was appointed as the
ambassador to the United States
The following table lists ambassador
An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident repre ...
(non-resident).
[ ]
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;
and after the
1998 election he retained the first 2 portfolios in the 3rd government of Paeniu.
Prime Minister of Tuvalu
In 1999 Ionatana succeeded
Bikenibeu Paeniu as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. Ionatana was elected as prime minister on 27 April 1999.
Among the prominent issues of his period of office, he oversaw Tuvalu's entry into the
United Nations on 5 September 2000.
Also during his term, Tuvalu obtained the lucrative .tv
internet country suffix.
Death
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.
He was the first prime minister to die in office since Tuvalu became independent.
After his death
Lagitupu Tuilimu took over as acting prime minister until 24 February 2001.
See also
*
Foreign relations of Tuvalu
This article is about the foreign relations of Tuvalu. From 1916 to 1975, Tuvalu was part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony of the United Kingdom. A referendum was held in 1974 to determine whether the Gilbert Islands and Ellice Island ...
References
External links
Tuvalu's Prime Minister Ionatana dies after giving speech
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
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
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