For Sale

If the Israelis can buy Pacific pinprick Nauru's vote in the United Nations General Assembly, is it any wonder that the Russians have come knocking?:

"Nauru has achieved a rare moment in the international spotlight by saying it will recognise the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Kommersant reports that Russia is willing to give Nauru $US50 million in aid if it establishes relations with the Russian-backed territories. The Kremlin has been frantic to secure recognition for the regions since its war with Georgia last year, but only Venezuala and Nicaragua have followed its lead; the rest of the world regards the rebel provinces as part of Georgia." (Russia to pay Nauru to recognise rebel provinces, Sydney Morning Herald/Guardian, 16/12/09)

One interesting difference, however, is that, while Russia's (and China's and Taiwan's) Pacific pinprick purchases have all received mainstream media coverage, Israel's purchases, which include Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia, have remained well below the media's radar. What, for example, does the vote of a Pacific pinprick cost Israel? And what is Australia's role, if any, in this dubious trade?

For those wanting background information on this one, see my 9/11/09 post Israel's Pacific Solution & Israel's Pacific Solution 2 (12/11/09)