A new government was formed in Vanuatu when Ham Lini replaced
Serge Vohor as prime minister after Vohor's one-man pact with
Taiwan plunged the Pacific nation into a constitutional crisis.
Vohor caused a political and constitutional storm last month
when he made an unannounced mission to Taipei and signed a
communique recognizing Taiwan.
But the council of ministers revoked the deal and decided
Vanuatu should stick to its support of the "one-China" policy.
Vohor on Friday lost a Supreme Court case to have a
parliamentary vote of no confidence in his rule declared
unconstitutional.
Vohor was also accused last weekend of physically assaulting
China's new ambassador, Bao Shusheng, by punching him on the
shoulder after he complained that the flag of Taiwan was still
flying in a hotel.
In a statement, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
said his country places a high priority on its bilateral ties with
Vanuatu, and he was keen to work with the new government. Australia
had threatened to cut aid to Vanuatu over corruption issues.
(CRI.com December 12, 2004)