October 2007
PNG: Call for move from foreign aid funding for health
Updated 31/10/2007 15:05:45
Papua New Guinea 's health sector depends heavily on foreign aid to provide basic health services to its six million people. Australia provides a bigger portion funds through AusAid to prevent the spread of the Hiv/Aids and train health workers. P-N-G's Health Secretary, Doctor Clement Malau says he wants the country's dependence changed and donor funded programs that provide basic health care for people.
FRENCH POLYNESIA: Economy suffering from political instability
Updated 31/10/2007 15:08:05
The Council of Businesses of French Polynesia is warning about the perilous state of the economy after three years of political instability. The President of the Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow with the visiting French Overseas Secretary of State, Christian Estrosi to discuss the situation.
PACIFIC: Japanese whale hunt set to start
Updated 31/10/2007 15:12:45
Japanese whaling ships begin their annual hunt in the Southern Ocean in the next few weeks, while environmental groups are vowing to stop them. Japan intends to kill a thousand whales this year as part of what it calls a scientific research project, which opponents label an excuse to kill whales for food. But with Japan for the first time in decades about to target fifty Humpback whales, environmentalists have come up with a new technique to publicise the issue.
TONGA: Call for jury trials to be scrapped
Updated 31/10/2007 16:01:53
The President of Tonga's Law Society thinks the country should scrap jury trials in favour of trial in front of a judge. His comments follow the latest Supreme Court trial of seven people charged in relation to last year's pro-democracy riots. Six of the seven accused were acquitted by the jury. Law Society President, Laki Niue, says a jury system might not be the best one for a place like Tonga.
PNG: Moti report rejected by Defence Minister
Updated 31/10/2007 16:24:24
Papua New Guinea's Defence Minister has officially rejected a report that found Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare responsible for the escape of wanted Australian lawyer Julian Moti to Solomon Islands last year. The PNG defence force board of inquiry took three months to complete and cost half a million Australian dollars. It recommended Sir Michael Somare be charged over the escape. Julian Moti is now the Solomon Islands Attorney General and has refused to return to Australia to face child sex charges
SOLOMON IS: Transparency SI responds to legal threats
Updated 31/10/2007 16:57:37
The Executive Officer of Transparency Solomon Islands, Joses Tuhanuku says Prime Minister Sogavare does not have any legal basis to sue him for defamation. Mr Sogavare has issued a statement saying he's seriously considering taking legal action against Mr Tuhanuku for making false allegations of corruption against him. But Mr Tuhanuku says if the prime minister was referring to statements he made to the Commission of Inquiry into last year's Honiara riots, then that would not be legally possible.
PNG: More horrific stories of violence against women
Updated 31/10/2007 17:00:07
As more horrific stories of violence against women emerge from Papua New Guinea, there is increasing pressure on the new government to take the issue seriously. But according to a major PNG human rights group there is simply no political interest in the issue.
PNG: Opposition angry over rejection of Moti report
Updated 31/10/2007 17:02:28
The announcement of the offiical rejection of the Moti report by PNG Defence Minister Bob Dadae has angered the country's parliamentary opposition.The Opposition Member of Parliament Bart Philemon has told Pacific Correspondent Campbell Cooney if Mr Dadae seriously believes the board breached its set guidelines in completing the Moti report, he must convene a new one.
PACIFIC: Aust criticised for not taking temporary Pacific workers
Updated 31/10/2007 18:46:18
A leading academic says the refusal of Australia to allow entry to temporary unskilled workers from the Pacific Islands shows it is not serious about regional economic integration. Professor Biman Prasad is the first Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara visiting fellow at the Otago University in New Zealand made the comments in a speech at the university. He gave a wide-ranging analysis of Australia and New Zealand's role in promoting economic development in the Forum Island countries. Professor Prasad says Australia's refusal to take unskilled Pacific Islanders while employing around 150-thousand similar workers from affluent regions of the world, leds to accusations that it is self-serving and hypocritical.
FIJI: Public servants ask govt to honour pay promise
Updated 30/10/2007 14:55:32
Fiji's Public servants want confirmation from the interim government that it will honour a promise to begin restoring their pay cuts in December. The country's public servants including teachers and nurses went on strike in July and August in protest against a five-per-cent paycut imposed by the interim government. The President of the Fijian Teachers Association, Tevita Koroi says they are worried they won't get their money because the Public Service Commission is remaining silent on the issue.
VANUATU: Police probe illegal artifacts trade
Updated 30/10/2007 14:55:33
An investigation is underway in Vanuatu into an attempt to illegally traffic cultural artefacts from the Island of Malekua. Police have recovered traditional kava-making stone artefacts estimated to be more than 500 years old allegedly from the residence of a French citizen living in Port Vila.
TOKELAU: NZ accused of being behind referendum
Updated 30/10/2007 14:57:12
A New Zealand opposition Member of Parliament has accused the country's foreign ministry of being behind efforts to persuade the people of Tokelau to vote for self-determination. The opposition National Party's spokesman on the Pacific and former New Zealand diplomat, John Hayes says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade engineered the requests from the Tokelau administration to hold two referendums. Both of them failed to receive the required two third majority. The latest one which was held last week fell short by 16 votes. Mr Hayes says it is lawyers and bureaucrats in Wellington who want Tokelau to change its status.
FIJI: Soldiers face murder charges
Updated 30/10/2007 15:02:56
Fiji's military spokesman is questioning the timing of the warrants issued by the Department of Public Prosecutions for the arrest of six soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga says the soldiers and a policemen were prevented at the weekend from leaving Fiji for a tour of duty in Iraq. The seven men have been charged over the murder of 19-year old Sakiusa Rabaka who died at home after allegedly being beaten while in military custody earlier this year. Colonel Tikoitoga denies the military was trying to avoid the charges by sneaking their personnel out of the country.
NAURU: Debate on new constitution to start next month
Updated 30/10/2007 15:49:27
Nauru's government hopes to begin debating changes to the country's constitution by the end of next month. When Nauru went to elections in August, three months earlier than scheduled, progress was put on hold. The country was once amongst the wealthiest nations in the world, per capita. It's hoped the constitutional changes will strengthen the laws which allowed millions made from phosphate to be syphoned off by mismanagement, corruption and bad investments. But as Pacific Correspondent Campbell Cooney reports while many on Nauru want change, some of the reccomendations have proved unpopular.
FIJI: Prime Minister opens first wind farm
Updated 29/10/2007 14:24:46
Fiji's Interim Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has officially opened the country's first wind farm. The Butoni Wind Farm at Singatoka on the main island of Viti Levu is a test case for the region, with other Pacific countries watching to see if it lives up to claims that it will produce electricity for less than current diesel generators. The farm is now fully commissioned with 37 wind turbines spread over 48 hectares of land. It has been operating smoothly for more than two months months. Prime Minister Baimarama says the farm is a major step towards Fiji's goal of producing 90-per-cent of its power through renewable resources by 2011.The acting Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Electricity Authority, Sunil de Silva, told Jemima Garrett the farm is now producing 12 million units of electricity per year.
TOKELAU: Third vote on self-determination unlikely
Updated 29/10/2007 14:24:46
It's likely to be some time before Tokelauans vote on self-determination again. That's the message from the New Zealand Administrator of the three atolls north of Samoa, in the wake of last week's referendum which saw the proposal defeated for the second time in as many years. The United Nations sponsored vote failed by 16 votes to get the required two thirds support. The Administrator of Tokelau, New Zealand diplomat David Payton, told Bruce Hill the rejection of self-determination came as quite a surprise to many people.
FIJI: Warrant prevents soldiers from leaving country
Updated 29/10/2007 16:08:42
Fiji's military has declined to explain why five of its members were prevented from leaving the country to take part in the peackeeping force in Iraq. Police divisional crime officer Waisea Kadava has confirmed a summons preventing the soliders from leaving the country was served on the officer-in-charge of the military on Saturday. The men are wanted to help in the on-going investigation into the deaths of Nimilote Verebasaga and Sakiusa Rabaka earlier this year. So far no charges have been laid.
FIJI: Vatican representative wants explanation from Mataca
Updated 29/10/2007 16:11:47
Parishioners of the Catholic church in Fiji are divided over the appointment of Archbishop Petereo Mataca as co-chair of the People's Council. A delegation in Fiji met with Archbishop Mataca which simply resovled to "agree to disagee" over his appointment. Now the Vatican's representative to the Pacific Archbishop Charles Balvo in Wellington has written and spoken by telephone to Archbishop Mataca also asking for an explanation about his appointment.
AUS: New AusAid pilot project for commerical businesses
Updated 29/10/2007 16:48:10
In a major change in direction, Australia's aid organisation "AusAid" has decided to help develop commerical businesses in the Pacific. The new pilot project is called the "Enterprise Challenge Fund". Based on a British project of the same name, it will provide grants of between 100-thousand and one-point-five-million dollars, to assist businesses to open new markets and resolve issues like compliance and transport. To be eligible, the businesses must have already committed significant funding and be able to show that their project is of benefit to local communities.
PNG: World Bank project to build mining skills
Updated 29/10/2007 16:50:01
Papua New Guinea is one of the most resource rich countries in the world. But because of the international commodities boom, it is suffering from a shortage of skilled workers like geologists, gold refiners and mining environmentalists. The World Bank has announced plans to support Papua New Guinea's mining industry by helping to develop these skills in a project worth more than 16 million US dollars over the next five years.
New Cal: New High Commissioner appointed
Updated 29/10/2007 16:50:37
In New Caledonia, the French government has appointed a new high commissioner, Yves Dassonville. He replaces Michel Mathieu who resigned earlier this month after disagreeing with the visiting French Minister Christian Estrosi about how to stop social unrest and strikes. Yves Dassonville has been working as Christian Estrosi's office director and previously worked in other French Territories and overseas islands.
PACIFIC: Australia holds WHO health conference
Updated 26/10/2007 14:03:09
Representatives from Pacific nations are gathering in Australia for a World Health Organisation conference to try to reduce the number of deaths from non-communicable diseases. Pacific countries are facing obesity rates of up to 90 percent. Smoking and chewing tobacco are also major problems coupled with a trend towards eating fatty foods and inactive lifestyles. WHO Chief for the South Pacific Doctor Chen Ken says the situation is being closely monitored with recent studies confirming a serious problem throughout the region. He's told Sonja Heydeman that this week's Queensland meeting is looking to school education to change people's attitudes and behaviour.
TOKELAU: NZ leader wants another vote & change of rules
Updated 26/10/2007 14:02:03
The leader of the largest single overseas Tokelauan community wants a third referendum held on self-determination. This week's UN-sponsored referendum for the three New Zealand administered atolls failed to get the required two thirds majority required, failing by only 16 votes. A similar vote on self-determination last year also failed. The President of the Tokelauan community in the Hutt Valley in New Zealand, Henry Joseph, told Bruce Hill there should be another vote within two years. He says next time the rules should be changed so a simple majority can win.
GUAM:good prospects for economic growth
Updated 26/10/2007 14:06:42
The ANZ bank says Guam has good prospects for economic growth with conditions being positive for both its major industries - tourism and support for US military personel on the island. Over the next decade the number of US military stationed on the island is expected to almost triple to around 40-thousand as the US reduces its presence on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
SOLOMON IS: Expects to expand fish trade to EU
Updated 26/10/2007 14:08:33
Solomon Islands expects to benefit from its tuna trade to the European Union market under an interim trade arrangement with the Pacific ACP states. Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Patteson Oti says currently, Solomon Islands exports mainly canned tuna to the EU. But Mr Oti says, under an interim trade agreement to be concluded next month, Solomon Islands could also export raw tuna to the EU. He says this is regardless of how the fish is caught, where or who caught it, as long as it is landed in Solomon Islands - it would get EU preferential treatment.
PACIFIC: Call to link conservation to culture
Updated 26/10/2007 14:10:47
There have been calls for conservation efforts in the Pacific to be linked more closely to people, their culture and their traditional knowledge. The Executive Director of the Foundation of the People's of the South Pacific International, Rex Horoi, has told the the eighth Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in Papua New Guinea, that for conservation projects to be successful they need to take account of the economic and social factors as well as environmental ones.
SOLOMON IS: Police deny corruption allegations
Updated 26/10/2007 14:46:00
The Executive Officer of Transparency International in Solomon Islands fears that corruption within the police force could be on the rise. Joses Tuhanuku says there are signs that the police force is adopting corrupt habits similiar to those used during the height of the ethnic crisis in 2000. Mr Tuhanuku alleges the government's opposition to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI is encouraging corrupt officers in the force to return to their old ways.
GUAM: Rise in crude oil means higher prices at the pump
Updated 25/10/2007 11:45:19
Petrol prices on Guam have risen again. On Monday prices jumped by eight cents a gallon and premium gas and diesel are now around three-dollars-60 US a gallon.
PNG: W-Papuans unlikely to be resettled in third county
Updated 25/10/2007 11:45:18
The United Nations refugee agency in Papua New Guinea says it's unlikey a group of West Papuans have a case to be relocated to a third country. Port Moresby police are questioning some of the refugees over the death of a magistrate.
FIJI: Plans underway for Qarase & Bainimarama meeting
Updated 25/10/2007 13:41:26
In Fiji, it's increasingly likely that the standoff between deposed prime Laisenia Qarase and interim prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is about to end. At the interim prime ministers instigation a meeting is being arranged which will bring the two leaders together for the first time since the December coup last year.
PACIFIC: 2008 International Year of the Reef
Updated 25/10/2007 13:51:50
2008 has been named International Year of the Reef. The campaign will focus on raising awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and the threats to their sustainability.
FIJI: Media freedom ranking challenged
Updated 25/10/2007 14:21:22
In Fiji, there's criticism of a World Press Freedom survey which has seen the country tumble from 58th most free in the world, to 107th.The international media freedom group Reporters without Borders now ranks Fiji behind Guatemala, Turkey and Indonesia, and just ahead of Guinea, Krgyzstan and Cameroon.
AUST: War of words over Japanese Tuna under reporting
Updated 25/10/2007 14:54:46
Australia's claim that Japan has massively under-reported its catch of tuna over decades has caused a virtual standstill in conservation negotiations. The Australian estimate of Japan's under-reporting of its catch - worth an estimated eight billion dollars - has hit the workings of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.
TOKELAU; Referendum lost on self-determination
Updated 25/10/2007 15:44:44
Tokelau's referendum on self-determination has been lost by 16 votes. Tokelau with a population of 14-hundred people, has had a week of United Nations supervised voting on whether to become self-governing or stay part of New Zealand.
CNMI: Legislature snubs Governor's Bill veto
Updated 24/10/2007 12:04:40
When Governor Benigno Fitial took office in January last year the economy of the Commonwealth of the Northen Marianas was in crisis. He reduced projected government spending by 15-million US dollars and introduced measures to curb expediture but his reforms have met with little success.
SOLOMONS: First woman principal magistrate
Updated 24/10/2007 12:04:54
The first woman to be a Principal Magistrate in Solomon Islands has been sworn in by Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. Emma Garo Ma'aramo is the first qualified female lawyer to join the bench as Principal Magistrate and has taken up the role in Honiara's Central Magistrates Court.
TONGA: PM says Forum Fiji stance a united one
Updated 24/10/2007 12:06:13
The new Chairman of the Pacific islands Forum says there were very few divisions between member states at last weeks leaders summit on the issue of Fiji. Tongan prime minister Doctor Fred Sevele says despite talk of rifts between island states and the metropolitan countries of Australia and New Zealand, the leaders actually worked very cooperatively.
FIJI: Opposition leader thinks Archbishop is being used
Updated 24/10/2007 16:02:02
Fiji's opposition leader believes the country's Catholic Archbishop is being used by the interim government. Archbishop Petero Mataca has been appointed as a co-chair of the 'National Council for Building a Better Fiji'.
PNG: Signs of improving relations with Australia
Updated 24/10/2007 16:02:53
While it's a long way from being back to normal, there appears to an improvement in the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Since PNG gained independence in 1975 the relationship between the two countries has often been rocky with he latest spat over the Julian Moti affair especially heated.
SOLOMONS: FM says NZ helping with review of RAMSI act
Updated 24/10/2007 16:03:22
Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Patteson Oti says New Zealand has offered to assist his government in its controversial review of the RAMSI facilitation act. The act was passed in 2003 to enable member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum to intervene in Solomon Islands.
FIJI: Interim Attorney-General clarifies election candidacy
Updated 23/10/2007 15:45:36
Leaders at last week's Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga showed overwhelming support for Commodore Frank Bainimarama's commitment to hold elections in March 2009. What isn't as clear are subsequent statements by Fiji's interim prime minister regarding who will be eligible to contest the elections.
KIRIBATI: President working on consitutional reform
Updated 23/10/2007 15:45:47
Still in his first week after being returned for a second term, Kiribati President Anote Tong is already thinking about a number of constitutional reforms he would like to introduce. One reform would see the number of tems a president may occupy reduced from three to two.
SOLOMONS: Robbery charge dropped against ex-PM
Updated 23/10/2007 15:46:56
Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza has been cleared of robbery charges by the Honiara Magistrates Court. The charge related to a raid in 2002 on a Honiara law firm by former Malaitan militants allegedly on orders from Sir Allan.
PACIFIC: Venezeula to help with fuel supplies
Updated 23/10/2007 15:50:18
One of the biggest issues facing the Pacific, in particular the smaller island states, is fuel supplies. The cost of it, the guaranteed supply of it, how much they can get of it, and who gets to use it, are all major issues.
FIJI: EU sugar industry funding back on track
Updated 23/10/2007 16:19:01
The European Union says its funding allocation for Fiji's sugar industry is back on track. Since the coup last year aid donors including the EU have suspended funding to Fiji although it is expected to be returned if the interim government restores transparency and holds democratic elections by early 2009.
TONGA: Govt defends against Forum media complaints
Updated 22/10/2007 15:51:04
The Tongan government is defending itself against accusations of heavy-handed treatment of the news media covering last week's Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit in Nukualofa. Reporters have complained of being restricted in their access to the meeting while Tongan officials have accused the media of inappropriate attire and of acting rudely by shouting questions to some of the leaders.
SOLS: Forum review team disagrees with PM claims
Updated 22/10/2007 15:54:00
A member of the Pacific Islands Forum team that reviewed the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI, disagrees with claims by the Sogavare government about the review's terms of reference. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare boycotted last week's Forum leaders' summit in Tonga saying the terms Honiara put forward for the review were ignored.
FIJI: Ousted PM accepts invitation to meet interim PM
Updated 22/10/2007 15:55:08
In a surprise move, Fiji's interim prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has invited ousted prime minster Laisenia Qarase to meet him. The two leaders have not taken part in any meaningful dialogue since the coup last year.
PNG: Magistrate stoned to death by refugees
Updated 22/10/2007 15:56:37
Papua New Guinea police are investigating the death of a senior court magistrate who was allegedly beaten and stoned to death by a group of Papuan refugees in Port Moresby at the weekend. Magistrate Ivan Cappo crashed his car near makeshift tents the refugees had been living in for the past three weeks near the city centre.
AUST: $500-thousand to improve fishing surveillance
Updated 22/10/2007 16:23:13
Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, has promised half a million dollars to improve regional monitoring control and surveillance of Pacific tuna fisheries. More that half the world's tuna are now caught in the Pacific and tuna is a vital economic resource to many island countries.
NZ: Political fallout over anti-terrorist raids
Updated 19/10/2007 14:45:48
This week's anti-terrorist operation in New Zealand has triggered a heated political clash over police tactics and street protests . Some Maori MPs believe the co-ordinated raids which resulted in firearms charges against 17 political and environmental activists have set race relations in New Zealand back 100 years .
TONGA: Aid donors on a spending spree at Forum
Updated 19/10/2007 14:48:51
A number of the more prominent regional organistions are the recipients of large sums of money from a number of the large donor bodies attending the post forum dialogue in Tonga.
CNMI: Concern at US federalisation of local immigration
Updated 19/10/2007 14:53:19
Under the Covenant the CNMI currently holds with the United States, it enjoys local autonomy, self-government, local control of its immigration and guest worker programme. But not for long because the controversial Federalisation Bill, about to be implemented, will take control of immigration and labour laws away from the CNMI.
NEW ZEALAND: Pacific candidate lose Mayoralty races
Updated 19/10/2007 14:50:33
The two Pacific island candidates running for Mayors of their cities in New Zealand last weekend both lost. Arthur Anae, a Samoan former MP came third in Manukau, to the Labour Party's Len Brown, a Pakeha.
SOLS: Exporter denies link to dead dolphins
Updated 19/10/2007 15:00:09
The Director of the company in Solomon Islands that exports dolphins has denied any involvement the death of three dolphins including a calf. The decomposing carcases of the mamals were found in east Honiara where the Marine Mammal Education Centre and Exporters Limited has a dolphin holding pen.
SOLS: Japanese studying WW2 battlegrounds
Updated 19/10/2007 15:03:33
A team of Japanese World War two researchers is in Solomon Islands, studying the battlegrounds of the Second World War. The team will travel to regions including Munda and Kolombangara in Western Province, Tulagi and Guadalcanal.
KIRIBATI: Presidential election survives court challenge
Updated 18/10/2007 15:48:10
In Kiribati, Anote Tong has been returned as president for a second term by a substantial majority. Of the four candidates vying for the top job Mr Tong polled 64-percent of the votes.
FIJI: Cautious welcome for election commitment
Updated 18/10/2007 16:17:58
The announcement that Fiji will hold elections in early 2009 has received a cautious welcome from several interest groups in Fiji. But some are warning Australia and New Zealand not to lift their sanctions on the interim government until concrete steps have been taken towards restoring democracy.
VANUATU: Tourist rape suspect released on bail
Updated 18/10/2007 16:17:19
In Vanuatu, a man from the island of Tanna who has been charged with the rape of a 70-year old American tourist has been released on bail. Police say the suspect was released on bail because of the very poor condition of the police holding cell on Tanna but the Vanuatu Women's Crisis Centre says the suspect should be put in custody in Port Vila to await trial.
TONGA: Questions over Fiji election commitment
Updated 18/10/2007 16:17:46
As the Pacific Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga starts to wind down, there appears to be a big difference between what Fiji says it has promised in relation elections in 2009, and what the Leaders say was promised. It comes down to what Fijians will be voting for.
SOLOMONS: 700 pregnant cows to rebuild cattle industry
Updated 18/10/2007 16:17:19
Taiwan is pouring millions of dollars into Solomon Islands to rebuild the country's cattle industry. The plan to introduce 700 pregnant cows from Australia is expected to happen before Christmas.
TONGA: MSG offers to mediate RAMSI concerns
Updated 18/10/2007 16:18:29
As the 38th Pacific Islands Forum winds down many of the worlds power brokers have gathered in Nukualofa for the Post Forum Dialogue.
FIJI: Labour wants election pledge rescinded
Updated 18/10/2007 16:18:57
The Fiji Labour Party wants the interim prime minister to ignore his pledge to hold elections by March 2009. The interim PM and coup leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, made the commitment to return the country to democracy to regional leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga this week.
PNG: Japanese delegation looks at gas investment
Updated 18/10/2007 16:43:13
A high level business delegation from Japan representing eight major oil and gas corporations is in Papua New Guinea on a ''fact-finding mission'' for investment in P-N-G's first own Liquefied Natural Gas-LNG plant. P-N-G wants its first own Liquefied Natural Gas, or LNG plant by 2013.
NZ: New immigration rules for family reunions
Updated 18/10/2007 16:45:29
New Zealand is making it easier for permanent residents to have family members visit. From November new immigration rules will offer multiple-visit visas to parents and grandparents of New Zealand residents.
AUST: Anti-Australian rehetoric increasing in Pacific
Updated 18/10/2007 16:47:32
An Australian foreign policy think tank says the political limits of Australia's role in the South Pacific are being tested. The Lowy Institute for International Policy has looked at South Pacific policy as part of a voters' guide to foreign affairs for Australia's election next month.
TONGA: Fiji promises elections by March 2009
Updated 18/10/2007 17:47:00
Fiji's interim Prime Minster Frank Bainimarama has promised the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting in Tonga, that his country will go to elections by March 2009. Earlier this year Fiji's interim regime agreed in principal that elections could be held by that date and now that date can be set in stone - a commitment that has been warmly welcomed by other leaders.
TONGA: No travel bans for leaders flight to Vava'u
Updated 18/10/2007 14:21:27
The Leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga have flown to Va'vau for the leaders retreat where they are currently discussing Solomon Islands and the role of the Regional Assistance Mission.
PACIFIC:Vanuatu and PNG show strong economic growth
Updated 17/10/2007 15:49:45
Economic growth in Vanuatu this year is expected to reach seven-point-two percent according to the latest Pacific Quarterly Report from the ANZ Bank. Papua New Guinea is also looking forward to a strong economic performance with growth there expected to reach five-point-two-five percent this year - a 10 year high.
FIJI: Deposed PM welcomes election commitment
Updated 17/10/2007 16:56:40
Fiji's deposed prime minister has responded positively to the announcement that the country will return to democracy early in 2009. Coup leader and interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, made the commitment to hold elections at the Pacific island Forum leaders retreat in Vava'u.
SOLOMON IS: Dolphins loaded for export.
Updated 17/10/2007 15:37:35
In Solomon Islands .. 28 dolphins are being loaded aboard a plane bound for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The live dolphin export is going ahead after a local conservation group failed to secure a last minute court injuction to stop it.
SOLOMON IS: Tsunami relief aid diverted to government project
Updated 17/10/2007 15:42:38
The Premier of Solomon Islands' Western Province says he is outraged by the national government's move to divert funds meant for tsunami rehabilitation work. In April about 35-thousand people from Western Province lost their homes and livelihoods in a tsunami which killed 52 people.
TONGA: Democracy movement to continue gatherings
Updated 17/10/2007 15:43:46
Tonga's pro democracy movement says it will continue to hold a large-scale political meeting during the Pacifc islands Forum. Such gatherings are illegal under emergency laws brought in following a pro-democracy riot which damaged the capital, Nukualofa, last year.
NEW ZEALAND: Foreign Minister condemns radical group
Updated 16/10/2007 17:21:54
New Zealand police have arrested more than a dozen people so far in a major operation aimed at what's being described as guerilla style training camps in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Prominent Maori radical Tame Iti was arrested at his house near Ruatoki, south of the coastal town of Whakatane as search warrants were executed in several other cities around the country.
FIJI: Deposed PM hopes Forum will press for democracy
Updated 16/10/2007 14:13:11
As the Pacific's leaders gather in Tonga for the annual Pacific Island Forum, the most controversial figure there will no doubt be Fiji's interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama. The man he deposed as prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, says he hopes the Forum will help persuade Commodore Bainimarama to make a commitment to hold democratic elections.
NEW ZEALAND: Maori MP sceptical over terror claims
Updated 16/10/2007 14:07:40
An MP in New Zealand says the police operation aimed at what have been described as guerilla style training camps in the eastern Bay of Plenty was over the top. Te Ururoa Flavell, the Maori Party MP for the Maori electorate of Waiariki, where the main police operation was carried out, says the whole thing could be a misunderstanding and he's sceptical about the idea of a terrorist training camp in his electorate.
VANUATU: Call for independent inquiry into shipping deaths
Updated 16/10/2007 14:12:36
The Vanuatu Maritime Authority has asked the government to establish an independent commission of inquiry into a shipping tragedy earlier this month. A mother, her unborn baby, and two children aged six and nine died after being swept were off the deck of the MV Southern Star.
GUAM: Huge anti-terrorim exercise underway
Updated 16/10/2007 14:19:52
The United States has begun its largest ever counterterrorism exercise starting with a simulated attack on a power station on Guam. Guam is one of three staging grounds for the Top Officials four, or TOPOFF four, exercise.
PACIFIC: New Zealand study prompts Biritish nuclear inquiry
Updated 16/10/2007 16:08:25
A New Zealand study has prompted the British Parliament to conduct another inquiry into nuclear testing in Kiribati in the 1950's. On the basis of the findings by experts at Massey University in New Zealand the British House of Commons has announced it is opening another inquiry.
SOCCER: NZ v Fiji game to be played tomorrow
Updated 16/10/2007 16:08:46
Soccer's world governing body, FIFA, says it could be a year before New Zealand and Fiji play their abandoned World Cup qualifying match. FIFA stopped the first home-and-away qualifier on Saturday between the two countries after New Zealand refused an entry visa to Fiji's goalkeeper.
AUST: Protests in Melbourne over NZ terrorist raids
Updated 16/10/2007 16:11:20
Political activists opposed to this week's police operation in New Zealand against alleged guerilla-style training camps in the eastern Bay of Plenty have staged a demonstration in the Australian city of Melbourne. Around 25 people gathered outside the New Zealand Consulate in Collins Street, Melbourne, earlier today, watched by eight Australian Federal Police officers.
SOLOMON IS: Export of live dolphins resumes
Updated 16/10/2007 16:16:02
A Solomon Islands company is again exporting live dolphins. The first shipment of up to 30 dolphins will leave the country tomorrow bound for Dubai.
SOLOMON IS: Export of live dolphins resumes
Updated 16/10/2007 16:23:35
A Solomon Islands company is again exporting live dolphins. The first shipment of up to 30 dolphins will leave the country tomorrow bound for Dubai.
FIJI: Westech denies evicting workers from gold mine
Updated 12/10/2007 14:58:18
The Mining Company, Westech International denies claims that it's evicting former workers from its company quarters at Fiji's Vatukoula Gold Mine. Workers lost their jobs in December last year, when the former owner, Emperor Mines closed the Vatukoula operations.
TONGA: Nukualofa prepares to welcome Pacific leaders
Updated 12/10/2007 14:59:51
Tonga's capital, Nukualofa, is getting ready to host the annual Pacific Islands Forum meeting next week. This year's leader's summit will be facing several significant issues including tension over the regional assistance mission to Solomon Islands, the coup in Fiji and relations between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
SOLS: Cleared MP denies intimidation of witnesses
Updated 12/10/2007 15:07:51
One of two members of parliament acquitted of criminal charges by the Solomon Islands High Court says justice has been done and the judge's decision should be respected. East Honiara M-P Charles Dausabea also rejects claims that the prosecution cases against him and Central Honiara M-P, Nelson Ne'e collapsed due to the intimidation of witnesses.
GUAM: Talks underway on business opportunities
Updated 11/10/2007 15:47:19
Business opportunities in the Pacific have been at the centre of talks during Guam's fourth Department of the Interior's Conference. Federal officials and delegates from nations across the Pacific and Asia have converged on the island to discuss investment, business opportunities and joint ventures.
FIJI: Appeal over NZ decision to bar goalkeeper
Updated 11/10/2007 15:49:32
The president of Fiji soccer plans to take New Zealand's decision to refuse to allow his goal keeper into the country to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.
NZ: Possibility of first Samoan Mayor
Updated 11/10/2007 15:49:19
A Samoan is poised to become the first Mayor of a major city in either Australia or New Zealand. Ken Laban, brother of New Zealand's first female Pacific Island cabinet minister, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, is reportedly doing very well in his bid to lead Lower Hutt, a city just north of the capital, Wellington.
NZ: strong currency blamed for companies moving offshore.
Updated 11/10/2007 15:50:37
The volatility of the New Zealand dollar is being blamed for an exodus of local companies. The county's white goods manufacturer, Fisher and Paykel is one of the big name local firms that is moving its manufacturing plants offshore.
Tonga: New party happy with reform later rather than sooner
Updated 11/10/2007 15:53:46
The leader of a newly established Tongan political party says he has no troubles with political reform being implemented in 2010 or 2011 rather than next year. The Kingdom's pro-democracy movement is threatening to stage demonstrations next week in support of their demand that a change to the makeup of parliament occur in time for next year's election.
PACIFIC: Chiefs of Police adopt new policing strategy
Updated 11/10/2007 15:55:53
The 36th annual Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police conference has concluded in New Zealand with the adoption of a new plan. The Wellington based conference, hosted by Niue police, has adopted a Future Directions in Pacific Policing strategy.
TONGA: Kingdom ready to welcome Pacific Forum leaders
Updated 11/10/2007 17:02:58
Tonga's prime minister says the Kingdom is fully prepared to host the Pacific Islands Forum, which gets underway next week. The centre of the capital, Nukualofa, was very badly damaged a year ago when a pro-democracy protest turned into a riot.
SOLOMON IS: Two MP's cleared of riot charges
Updated 11/10/2007 18:00:42
The two Solomon Islands Members of Parliament facing criminal charges relating to last year's riots in Honiara, have been cleared by the High Court. East Honiara M-P Charles Dausabea and Central Honiara M-P Nelson Ne'e were acquitted by New Zealand Judge, Justice David Cameron today.
RUGBY LEAGUE: PNG plans for one-off origin style match
Updated 10/10/2007 12:38:51
Papua New Guinea rugby league has announced a one off 'Origin' style clash between residents and international players, in the national capital Port Moresby at the end of October.
GUAM: Campaign to prevent outbreak of dengue fever
Updated 10/10/2007 12:39:57
A campaign has been launched to prevent the spread of Dengue fever to Guam.The mosquito-borne disease has occurred in epidemic proportions in some areas of the Pacific over the past six years.
FIJI: Coup critic prevented from flying to Forum
Updated 10/10/2007 15:58:23
A prominent critic of Fiji's coup has been prevented from boarding a flight to Tonga. The Executive Director of the Pacific Centre for Public Integrity, Angie Heffernan, was told by Air Pacific that she was on standby because she did not have a confirmed booking.
SOLS: PM accused of disrespect and contempt for Forum
Updated 10/10/2007 16:01:00
Transparency Solomon Islands has accused the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of showing disrespect and contempt for other Pacific Islands Forum leaders. Mr Sogavare has decided to boycott next week's Forum leaders' summit in Tonga and has chosen to go the Marshall Islands for the second Taiwan-South Pacific leaders summit and then onto Taiwan.
FIJI: SDL vows not to make inciteful statements
Updated 09/10/2007 16:33:28
Fiji's mainly ethnic Fijian SDL Party says it's made a commitment not to make any statements which might lead to trouble.The military-installed interim government recently lifted emergency regulations which were imposed because of comments made by the deposed prime minister and SDL leader, Laisenia Qarase.
AUST: Airline still planning to fly to Solomons
Updated 09/10/2007 16:33:27
Australian airline company, SkyAirWorld says it will pursue its goal to resume flying between Australia and Solomon Islands.
SkyAirWorld's Brisbane to Honiara route has been terminated, after the Solomon Islands Finance Minister claimed the company "defaulted" in terms of its contract.
FIJI: Government critical of Australian travel advisory
Updated 09/10/2007 16:34:24
The Fiji military has strongly criticised the Australian government's upgraded travel advisory for the country. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned there were credible reports of a possible escalation of violence in Fiji.
FIJI: European Union to cut sugar subsidies
Updated 09/10/2007 16:34:43
After a month of speculation, the European Union has confirmed it will not be providing subsidies for this year's sugar crop in Fiji. The news is a devastating blow to Fiji's sugar industry, which provides jobs for around 150 thousand Fijians and is a major contributor to the country's economy.
NEW ZEALAND: One in seven Maori now live in Australia
Updated 08/10/2007 11:16:18
There are now so many Maori living in Australia that New Zealand's Maori Party has suggested, tongue in cheek, that an eigth Maori seat in parliament be created for them. A report by New Zealand's Ministry of Maori Development, Te Puni Kokiri, shows that around 120 thousand Maori now live in Australia - nearly one in seven of all Maori.
PNG: Credit Corp expands to Vanuatu
Updated 08/10/2007 11:17:25
The Papua New Guinea finance company, Credit Corporation, will see a long held dream become reality this week when it opens its first office today in Vanuatu. Credit Corp already has operations in Solomon Islands and Fiji and total assets worth over 500 million Kina, or around 200 million Australian dollars.
Fiji: Former PNGDF commander calls for end to military rule
Updated 08/10/2007 15:53:30
A former commander of Papua New Guinea's Defence Force has called on Fiji interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, to step down by Christmas. Former Brigadier-General Jerry Singirok says 90 per cent of Fiji's military are opposed to the coup, but feel they're in no position to do anything about it.
SOLOMONS: PM to boycott Pacific Leaders forum
Updated 08/10/2007 15:58:48
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manessah Sogavare, will be boycotting this year's Pacific Islands' Leader's Forum in Tonga. Mr Sogavare's office has confirmed the Prime Minister is unhappy with a review he demanded last year of the role of the Regional Assistance Mission, RAMSI.
PACIFIC: NZ, Australia and Fiji out of World Cup rugby
Updated 08/10/2007 16:05:55
Now to Rugby Union and Fiji is out of the World Cup despite a close game against South Africa. Fijian wingers, Jo Rokocoko Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lote Tuqiri, are also homeward bound, after their adopted countries, New Zealand and Australia lost their quarter finals during a very dark weekend for Southern hemisphere rugby.
FIJI: Concern over plan to compile list of complainants to UN
Updated 05/10/2007 14:40:44
A prominent critic of Fiji's interim government has criticised the head of the country's Human Rights Commission for compiling a list of Fiji citizens who have complained to the United Nations about the military takeover. Fiji Human Rights Commission Chair, Doctor Shaista Shameem, is quoted in the local media as saying there will always be people with an axe to grind and accusing many of those who have complained to the UN of hiding behind the slogan of democracy.
SOLS: ANU denies allegations about Peoples Survey
Updated 05/10/2007 14:40:44
The Australian National University is defending itself against accusations from the Solomon Islands government over a recent survey it conducted in the country. The large-scale effort to gauge public opinion, known as the People's Survey, found among other things that 90 per cent of Solomon Islanders supported the continuing presence of the Regional Assistance Mission, RAMSI.
VANUATU: Media ordered to return leaked riot report
Updated 05/10/2007 14:41:53
The Vanuatu Attorney General has ordered the country's media to return leaked copies of the report by the commission of inquiry into the Port Vila riots. The commission's summary report has still not been endorsed by the National Executive Council but was leaked to the media last month.
FIJI: US wants better committment on democracy
Updated 05/10/2007 14:42:51
The United States has made it clear it expects a better committment from Fiji to return to democracy in early 2009. As part of the new US focus in the region, it's been confirmed that the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christoper Hill will be taking part in the post forum dialogue at the Pacific Island Forum Leader's meeting in Tonga this month.
PNG:Calls for Australian Aid for Kokoda landowners
Updated 05/10/2007 14:44:42
An Australian politican is calling for urgent action from the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments to deal with the environmental threat to the Kokoda Track. New South Wales upper house MP Charlie Lynn, says Kokoda landowners also need to get a better deal from the trekking industry.
NZ: Anti-Polynesian emails target Samoan Mayoral candidate
Updated 05/10/2007 14:43:47
In New Zealand, the local body election campaign has turned nasty, with a Samoan Mayoral candidate being sent e-mails accusing him of wanting to import Pacific Islanders. Arthur Anae, who is Samoan, is running for Mayor of Manukau City, which has one of the highest proportion of Pacific Island inhabitants of any local body in the country.
PNG: UN should look after West Papuan refugees
Updated 05/10/2007 14:59:02
The former governor of Papua New Guinea's West Sepik province, John Tekwie says the United Nations should take responsibility for the West Papuan refugees in PNG. Mr Tekwie says the mass displacement of thousands of people would not have happened if the United Nations had not handed over rule of West Papua to Indonesia.
Tonga: Forum sparks small scale economic boom
Updated 04/10/2007 16:02:59
Tongan businesspeople are hoping the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum summit in Nukualofa will boost the Kingdom's economy. Hundreds of politicians, officials and journalists from around the region are expected to converge on the capital, Nukualofa in two weeks and local merchants are already starting to reap the benefits.
FIJI: Interim PM wants to move away from race based voting
Updated 04/10/2007 16:04:23
Fiji's Interim Government has given an in principal agreement to hold elections before March 2009 but the way people vote maybe completely different. Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is determined to remove the race based voting system, enshrined in Fiji's Constitution which he says has led to the instability in Fijian politics over the past 20 years.
Tonga: Democracy movement tells Chinese they oppose loan
Updated 03/10/2007 16:15:06
Tonga's pro-democracy movement has decided to take their opposition to a large loan to the country from China direct to the Chinese government. The Kingdom has been told it is to receive a 118 million US dollar loan from China to aid in rebuilding the capital, Nukualofa, which was damaged when last year's pro-democracy demonstrations got out of hand.
PACIFIC: Just two boxers to compete in world titles
Updated 03/10/2007 16:16:11
Only two boxers from the Pacific Islands will compete at this month's World Boxing Championships in Chicago in the United States. The competition will double as the qualifier for next year's Beijing Olympics.
PNG: Moti affair sparks parliamentary stoush
Updated 03/10/2007 16:21:39
In Papua New Guinea, fallout from the so-called Moti affair has led to tense scenes and strong words in Parliament. At issue is the contents of a report by the PNG Defence Force about how fugitive Australian lawyer Julian Moti was able to be flown to Solomons territory aboard a PNGDF aircraft.
SOLS: Payment for RAMSI survey paid to Stats office
Updated 03/10/2007 16:24:07
Claims by Solomons Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo about the payment for a peoples survey for RAMSI are being disputed in Honiara. Our correspondent Dorothy Wicklam has obtained information that there were no private payments made to staff in the National Statistics Division as claimed by the minister.
AUST: Foreign Minister defends RAMSI role
Updated 03/10/2007 16:25:22
Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has defended his country's role in the leadership of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI. The mission, purpose and leadership have been criticised before the United Nations General Assembly during an address by Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Patteson Oti.
Tonga: Squash export trade facing crisis
Updated 02/10/2007 16:20:20
Tonga's squash pumpkin industry is in crisis, with only half of last year's total tonnage being shipped to export markets this year. The Secretary General of the Tongan Squash Council, Stephen Edwards, estimates the downturn in the economically vital export industry has seen 80 per cent of Tongan squash farmers simply give up and find other work.
SOLOMONS: Foreign Minister attacks Australia at UN
Updated 02/10/2007 16:44:52
Solomon Islands has used its annual address to the United Nations General Assembly to make its latest attack against the Regional Assistance Mission RAMSI and its Australian leadership. Representing Prime Minister Manessah Sogavare, Foreign Minister Patteson Oti called on the Security Council to take over the operations of the assistance mission from Australia .. describing it as a "continued occupation".
PAC: Region second last in World Bank ease of doing business survey
Updated 01/10/2007 16:56:27
The Pacific has come second last amongst the world's regions in the pace of business reform in this year's World Bank Doing Business report. Doing Business 2008 ranks 178 of the world's economies on the ease of doing business.
Tonga: PM accuses democracy leader of acting like spoiled child
Updated 01/10/2007 15:55:09
Tonga's prime minister has accused the head of the country's pro-democracy movement of acting like a spoiled child over the issue of political reform. Akilisi Pohiva, who leads the group pressing for changes in the kingdom's monarchical system, is threatening to stage a campaign of demonstrations and civil disobedience because changes making Parliament more repreentative aren't being introduced immediately.
SOLOMON IS: Govt luring opposition menbers.
Updated 01/10/2007 15:55:45
The Solomon Islands Opposition leader, Fred Fono has rejected claims his members are considering switching sides and joining the government. Mr Fono says it is the Prime Minister Manassah Sogavare who is trying to lure opposition MP's with offers of cabinet posts and funding assistance.
PNG:Telikom may face collapse
Updated 01/10/2007 15:56:25
Telikom Papua New Guinea may face financial collapse due to competition from foreign-owned mobile phone companies according to a leaked report delivered to the PNG government. The Post-Courier newspaper says the report by the Australian corporate law firm, Freehills, says the mobile companies could undercut Telikom's pricing.
FIJI: Interim PM outlines plans for referendum
Updated 01/10/2007 16:11:03
Fiji's interim Prime Minister says his Government is willing to hold a referendum to consider fundamental changes, including changes to the constitution. Commodore Frank Bainimarama outlined the proposal in his address to the 62nd sitting of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
PNG: Defence Force dismisses speculation PM facing arrest
Updated 01/10/2007 16:10:54
There is speculation around Port Moresby that disgruntled soldiers - fed up with the Motigate Affair - are planning to arrest Prime Minister Michael Somare on his return from New York and charge him with treason. The National Security Advisory Committee reportedly met over the weekend to discuss the threat.
TONGA: Legacy of World Cup to continue
Updated 01/10/2007 16:15:32
In Rugby Union, the defending champions England have advanced to a quarter-final meeting with Australia after proving too strong for Tonga in their World Cup decider at the weekend. While Tonga's dreams came to end when they lost the match 32-20 those at home are refusing to allow the fairytale to end.
