30 years ago.

• Position: Nation-building in the South Pacific - Brief Article - Column

"A number of ['new country'] efforts have been initiated to establish communities, resorts, or freeports free of the restrictions imposed by traditional, established governments."

--John L. Snare, "The National Builders' Struggle"

"On 19 January 1972, a claim was established on two small coral atolls in the South Pacific....Simple structures were erected, and the 'Republic of Minerva' was proclaimed."

--John L. Snare, "The National Builders' Struggle"

"Several months after we claimed Minerva, the King of Tonga went there with a group of prisoners. They built something there, too, and left thereafter. We...didn't have anyone at the Reef at that instant. But I think the Tonga problem can be...