Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia of Tuvalu

TAIPEI, Dec 12 Asia Pulse - Visiting Tuvalu Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia said Monday his country has been and will continue to be Taiwan's staunchest ally and will seize every possible opportunity to speak for Taiwan's cause in the international community.

Ielemia has voiced support for Taiwan's bid to join major international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization, on numerous international occasions.

Ielemia said he was impressed by beautiful scenery and people's hospitality in Pingtung -- Su's hometown.

The Rt Hon Apisai Ielemia is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.

Ielemia was elected to serve in the Parliament of Tuvalu by the constituency of Vaitupu on a non-partisan basis: his lack of alignment is not unusual in the politics of Tuvalu, since political parties have not emerged in the country.

In general elections held on August 3, 2006 prime minister Maatia Toafa's government was defeated and opposition MP Ielemia was approved by the new parliament on August 14 to become the new prime minister.

Ielemia has continued Tuvalu's pursuit of close relations with Republic of China, and in December 2007 visited that country, when various bilateral issued were addressed.

The Rt Hon Apisai Ielemia is a political figure from the Pacificnation of TuvaluTuvalu OverviewTuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway betwee.

BackgroundIelemia was elected to serve in the Parliament of TuvaluParliament of Tuvalu The Parliament of Tuvalu is the unicameral national legislature in Tuvalu.

s government was defeated and opposition MP Ielemia was approved by the new parliament on August 14 to become the new prime minister.

Ielemia has continued TuvaluTuvalu Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway betwee.

we will survive," Ielemia said to applause from delegates.

New Zealand businesses involved in exporting to the Pacific have criticised their Prime Minister Helen Clark's for likening Fiji to Zimbabwe.

Prime Minister Ielemia is visiting Korea from December 14 to 16.

Prime Minister Ielemia expressed gratitude to Korea for continuously providing grant aid to Tuvalu.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) _ Former civil servant Apisai Ielemia has been sworn in as the new prime minister of the tiny South Pacific nation of Tuvalu.

Radio New Zealand International reports Ielemia was sworn in as leader of the nation's 12-thousand people at a ceremony presided over by Governor General, the Reverend Filoimea Telito.

Mr Ielemia said allowances include the ban on the motorbike entitlements of all MPs.

President Chen said that Prime Minister Ielemia has come to Taiwan this time to participate in the opening ceremonies of the 2007 IWAS World Wheelchair and Amputee Games.

The president said that Prime Minister Ielemia was well versed in the topics tabled at the meeting and he made deep and meaningful statements during discussions, creating quite an impression on the participants.

Prime Minister Ielemia said relations between the two countries have risen to a new level thanks to the outstanding leadership of President Chen.

Ielemia said he was disappointed with the talks and the bureaucratic barriers that rich nations were trying to erect to providing new funds to help poor countries adapt to change.

Ielemia said there was a risk that only countries that could afford consultants and work their way through red tape and delays would be able to access the new fund.

Apisai Ielemia is the prime minister of Tuvalu, a small island state located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia.

Tuvalu PM Apisai Ielemia is concerned his NZ counterparts utterances may lead to his country being isolated through no fault of theirs New Zealand businesses involved in exporting to the Pacific have criticised.

Apisai Ielemia is the tenth Prime Minister of Tuvalu.

Apisai Ielemia has accused the previous government of gagging the media, especially the government-run Radio Tuvalu.

Since he came into office after the August general election, Ielemia has introduced austere financial measures such as freezing MPs entertainment and motorcycle allowances.

After exhausting its overdraft facility with the islands state bank, Ielemia said parliamentarians including cabinet ministers had to feel the pinch like all other employees of the state.

Currently, PM Ielemia is studying a proposal by Fijis international carrier Air Pacific through its subsidiary Pacific Sun to fly to Tuvalu.

Apisai Ielemia took office in August 2006 after nearly all the ministers in the previous government were ousted at the ballot box.