[4] Proposals for a federal system that would lessen concerns about Gilbertese domination were rejected by GEIC Leader of Government Business Reuben Uatioa, founder of the Gilbertese National Party, who stated "it is either secession or the present type of unitary government.

[3] However, separation was still supported by all prominent Ellice Islands politicians except Isakala Paeniu, a government minister.

[5] The ballot paper had two options:[3] After the results were announced, Chief Minister Naboua Ratieta stated "Personally I am sorry they have decided to separate from us.

After all, we have been friends for a long time, and so far as my administration is concerned, there would have been no question whatever of any political domination of the Ellice people by the Gilbertese".

I'm sorry to say that the Ellice leaders, who advocate separation, have not come to grips with the real problems facing small, almost unknown communities in the world today.