AIR NAURU

Checkpoint: Air Nauru.
The small Pacific Island nation of Niue has found itself caught up in the middle of a dispute between Nauru and New Zealand about the safety standards of Air Nauru - a dispute that led to the airline's grounding and put an end to Niue's weekly airlink. Shipping transport is also out of action at this time. Sir Robert Rex, Niue's premier talks about the difficulties of having no air service and asks for help from the New Zealand government. Bill Jeffries, Minister of Transport says New Zealand can not compromise its safety standards. Russell Marshall, Minister of Foreign Affairs says the government has to look at the long-term problem of communications and transport to small islands such as Niue.