Former Nauru president, Rene Harris, dies
Updated
![Former Nauru President Rene Harris, pictured here in 2001, has died aged 61. [AFP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/nauru_harris_afp_121101.jpg "Former Nauru President Rene Harris, pictured here in 2001, has died aged 61. [AFP]")
Former Nauru President Rene Harris, pictured here in 2001, has died aged 61. [AFP]
Former Nauru president, Rene Harris, who helped broker a controversial asylum seekers scheme with Australia, has died aged 61.
The Nauru government says Mr Harris suffered a heart attack on Friday afternoon and passed away Saturday morning.
A state funeral was held for him, attended by current President Marcus Stephen, cabinet members and MPs.
In 2001, Mr Harris joined with then Australian prime minister John Howard in initiating the so-called "Pacific Solution".
The scheme diverted asylum seekers, heading to Australia, to Nauru, where they were held in detention centres for Australian immigration processing.
About 70 per cent were ultimately resettled in Australia or other countries, often after years in detention.
The policy drew widespread criticism from human rights groups and refugee advocates but was a welcome economic boost for bankrupt Nauru.
Mr Harris was educated in Australia and first entered Parliament in 1978.
His political career included four years as president at various times between 1999 and 2004.
