Harris, Rene Reynaldo

▪ 2009

      Nauruan politician

born Nov. 11, 1947?, Nauru

died July 5, 2008, Nauru

served four times (April 27, 1999–April 20, 2000; March 30, 2001–Jan. 9, 2003; Jan. 17–18, 2003; Aug. 8, 2003–June 22, 2004) as Nauru's president; his 31 years (1977–2008) as a member of the country's Parliament made him Nauru's longest-serving politician, but his career was clouded by accusations of corruption and financial mismanagement. He also served (1992–95) as chairman of the Nauru Phosphate Corp. and manager of the island's shipping line. Harris graduated from Geelong College, Victoria, Australia. After more than 20 years in Parliament, he succeeded Bernard Dowiyogo as president in 1999, shortly before Nauru was admitted to the UN. Harris was defeated by Dowiyogo in April 2000 and again in January 2003 but regained the presidency each time. In 2001 Harris and Australian Prime Minister John Howard negotiated the controversial “Pacific Solution,” in which Nauru received millions of dollars of much-needed financial aid in exchange for maintaining detention centres for Australia-bound asylum seekers; the centres were closed in March 2004. Harris was ousted for the last time in a no-confidence vote in June 2004 and lost his seat in Parliament in April 2008.

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