Dowiyogo, Bernard

▪ 2004

      Nauruan politician (b. Feb. 14, 1946, Nauru—d. March 9, 2003, Washington, D.C.), served six times (1976–78, 1989–95, 1996, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2003) as president of the Pacific islet nation of Nauru. Dowiyogo was twice removed from office by a no-confidence vote—once, in 1996, after only 15 days—and in January 2003 he was replaced as president for two days when the Supreme Court ruled that his election was invalid. In 1993 he reached a historic agreement with Australia over rehabilitation of Nauru's economy in the aftermath of the catastrophic damage done by phosphate mining. He later opposed French testing of nuclear weapons in the South Pacific and a proposed U.S. missile shield. In 2001 Dowiyogo faced accusations that he had allowed Nauru to become a haven for money laundering. Nonetheless, he was returned to the presidency in January 2003.

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