OF A GOLDEN AGE

Nauru, my favorite tiny island nation, is long plagued by insane international corruption and has a terrible economy.

First in today’s Nauru update, a “freedom of information conference”:

Nauru is trying to eradicate the corruption that has long plagued the country.

[Nauru's president] Mr Stephen says if Nauru introduces freedom of information legislation, the island will have an additional tool in its quest to wipe out corruption.

Nauru also has a new National Olympic Committee chair, the very same President Stephen:

Mr Stephen is the president of the Republic of Nauru, having taken office in December 2007, he is also a former top-class weightlifter, winner of seven gold medals and five silver at the Commonwealth Games.

Nauru’s president is both a proponent of government transparency AND a world-class weightlifter? Um, awesome. On the other hand, here is a legitimately interesting piece of political information involving fellow tiny island nation Kiribati:

Kiribati is one of the few nations that recognizes Taipei as the true capital of China. [Economic problems] lead Nauru to switch its allegiance with Taipei to Beijing in exchange for millions of dollars in aid in 2002. In 2005, Nauru reversed its decision and has since received additional aid for this renewed recognition of Taipei.

Nauru, shrewdly playing both sides. I expect no less from my favorite tiny island nation.

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