14 Dec 2012

Vanuatu diplomat told not to sell passport

5:42 pm on 14 December 2012

Vanuatu's Head of State President Iolu Johnson Abbil has told the country's newly appointed Ambassador to China, Dennis Nai, not to sell Vanuatu passports to foreigners.

Mr Nai replaces former Ambassador, Willie Jimmy, who was elected to parliament in October.

There has been controversy surrounding the sale of passports to foreigners for many years.

The President says the Vanuatu passport is a highly respected document and the ambassador must not abuse his status by selling them.

Mr Nai, through the pages of the Daily Post newspaper, has promised the Head of State that he will always carry out his duties in the best interests of the people of Vanuatu.