1 Oct 2009

Vanuatu deepens passport issueance probe

1:34 pm on 1 October 2009

The Vanuatu government has confirmed that it is investigating allegations that there have been illegal sales of Vanuatu passport.

The foreign minister, Joe Natuman, says they have recently received information of illegal possession of Vanuatu passport by foreigners in several countries, like China.

The director general at the ministry of the foreign affairs, Jean Sese, says that no proper procedure has been followed for these foreigners to have such official passports.

He says the ministry has advised its foreign missions to submit a report on the allegations.

Last week, Mr Natuman sent letters of termination to more than 40 foreigners who had been made representatives of Vanuatu by previous administrations.