Pacific Report

Chinese Vice-Premier Gives Png A Miss

‘Pressure of business’ arising from the invasion of Vietnam was probably behind the cancellation of the planned March Pacific tour by Chinese Vice-premier Geng Biao. Vice premier Geng has a reputation as an international trouble shooter. But Zhen Muhua, a more junior vice-premier, stood in for him so the various hosts would not be too disappointed.

She was to visit Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Western Samoa. A curious feature of the itinerary was the absence - from it of Papua New Guinea, largest of the Pacific nations.

The official PNG Newsletter had announced on January 19 that Vice-premier Geng would be spending seven days in PNG in the course of his March tour. The idea of exchange visits between PNG and Chinese leaders went into operation in late 1976 with a visit to China by PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare himself. Mrs Zhen has not the seniority of a prime minister, or of Vice-premier Geng, and in view of the fact that PNG is currently reviewing its whole foreign policy with particular reference to China and Russia (neither of which is at present represented diplomatically in PNG), Mrs Zhen’s omission of PNG from her swing through the Pacific is seen by PNG foreign affairs officials as having all the hall marks of that inscrutable oriental tact which might be expected of her.

New Caledonia’S ‘Contract’ With France

After a bumpy passage, New Caledonia’s council of govern ment in February approved the French Government’s plan for a 10-year contract between France and the territory. It provides for an economic reorganisation of the territory, with emphasis on the economic, social and cultural promotion of its Melanesian and Polynesian inhabitants.

Banabans Say No Again - Loudly

More than 1000 Banabans at a March meeting on Fiji’s Rabi Island angrily rejected new British proposals to meet their demand for separation from the Gilbert Islands (to be known as Kiribati after independence in July). British Under secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Evan Luard was shouted down as he put the proposals, which fell short of Banaban claims for complete separation Meanwhile, the Banaban cause has won expressions of sup port from the World Federation of Trade Unions, headquar tered in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

TOP BRASS BEAT PATH TO NEW HEBRIDES After many decades of ‘benign neglect’ by the condominial powers, the New Hebrides is now a Mecca for a succession of s ©n' or British and French officials. February saw visits by Sir Michael Palliser, permanent Under-secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and head of the diplo matic service of that office, and of French Secretary of State m ° verseas De P ar tments and Territories Paul Dijoud It was Mr Dijoud’s second visit in six months. He is expected back yet again in May. With Lord Goronwy-Roberts, British minis ♦ r i )f A ? tate for forei 9 n and commonwealth affairs, he will study the proposed New Hebrides constitution which, if ap proved at a referendum, will form the basis for election’s. The elected government will then decide on a date for indepen dence in 1980. H

Tuvalu Signs With Uncle Sam

Under a recent treaty of friendship between the United States and Tuvalu, the US has dropped its claims to four of the country s nine islands - Funafuti, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae and Niualakita. The treaty provides for consultations between the two parties on security and marine resource matters, waters near Tuvalu are an important fishing ground for US and other foreign fishermen.

Polynesia’S Problem As Seen By Paris

France’s High Commissioner in French Polynesia, Paul

Cousseran, said in an interview with the newspaper Depeche de Tahiti: ‘One can be intellectually for the CEP (Centre d'Ex perimentations du Pacifique, the French nuclear test agency), or one can be intellectually against it. But the fact is that this country lives off it. Three thousand two hundred families do so quite directly, not counting Polynesian military personnel. Above all, thousands of families live off it indirectly,’ Mr Cousseran added: ‘I have said before and I repeat: independence is not the problem faced by this country. On the contrary, its problem is its depend ence . . . Polynesia’s problem is that it does not produce what it consumes, it does not produce the money necessary to pay for what it consumes, so someone must always be found to pay in its stead.’

MICK LEAHY DIES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA Explorer, farmer, grazier, Michael James Leahy died at his Zenag, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, home in March, aged 78. Mick Leahy won world fame for his explorations in the PNG Highlands in the early thirties. His search was for gold but he will be remembered for his trail-blazing.

Tupuola Efi Under Threat

Early March saw strong suggestions that Prime Minister Tupuola Efi of Western Samoa could be toppled when the new parliament met late in the month or early in April. A majority of new mem bers, with three former Tupuola supporters, had pledged to vote for Vaai Kolone, a veteran member from Savaii. Should they all stand firm, Vaai Kolone could win as many as 30 of the 47 votes (See election report, Political Currents.)

Irian Java Rebels Fly To Sweden

Jacob Prai, self-proclaimed president of the provisional government of West Papua (Irian Jaya), and his three most senior aides flew out of Port Moresby in February for Sweden.

With Mr Prai were his former deputy, Otto Ondawame, Darius Maury and Amos Indey. The group also included Nicholas Meset, a Papua New Guinea citizen, who was arrested with Messrs Prai and Ondawame last September in the township of Vanimo near the Irian Jaya border. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees spent more than three months seeking a sanctuary for the men after PNG refused them political asylum. Announcing Sweden’s decision, a UN regional representative said he was continuing talks with the PNG Government on the future of another 103 Irianese refugees seeking asylum.

Pacific’S Big Slice Of Undp Funds

This year’s United Nations Development Programme budget lifts aid for South Pacific countries from $2 million to $12.3 million, giving a regional per capita aid figure of about $3, the highest amount provided by the UNDP to any part of the world. UNDP administrator, Brad Morse, said the money would be used for fisheries development, off-shore prospect ing, research into root crops, telecommunications and the bulk purchase of drugs.

Fiji Casts Out The Noose

Fiji has abolished capital punishment for murder. The crime in future will be punishable only by life imprisonment Fiji’s fast hanging was in 1964. When the question was debated in parliament in March, seven members said they opposed abolition, but only one opposing voice was heard when the vote was taken.

Joint Exercises For France. Nz?

The French navy has invited two New Zealand warships and two Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft to take part in training exercises off Tahiti in May. The invitation was issued by Rear-Admiral Y.L.L. Leenhardt, commander-in chief of French military forces in the Pacific, during a February visit to New Zealand.

Coalition Talk Again In Fiji

The prospect of a coalition government between the mainly Fijian Alliance Party and the mainly Indian National Feder ation Party is a hardy annual of Fiji politics. It was flowering again in March with Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara once again expressing support for the idea. In a long inter

view with Fiji Times editor Vijendra Kumar, Ratu Mara said his main reason was to ensure a balanced multi-racial rep resentation in cabinet, adding that he was not naive enough to believe that all potential cabinet material was in his own Alliance Party.

Lini Huddles With Jimmy Carter

Father Walter Lini, deputy chief minister of the New Hebrides, was among representatives of churches from 130 countries at the 1979 annual prayer breakfast hosted by US President Jimmy Carter in Washington. After a talk with President Carter Fr Lini predicted closer relations between the New Hebrides and the US after independence.

Outcry On Australian Academic

The Papua New Guinea government’s decision to retain an Australian academic to conduct a review of PNG foreign pol icy (PIM March) has aroused a storm of protest. Opposition leader lambakey Okuk described it as ‘a kick in the teeth’ for officers of the Foreign Affairs Department, and said it made a joke of the government’s claim that it was free from Australian influence in its decision-making.

Un Man With The Two Limousines

The controversy over highly paid United Nations Develop ment Programme experts touched off by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji’s Prime Minister (Tropicalities), has spilled over into Western Samoa. Apia newspaper Savali, published by the Prime Minister’s department, noted in February: ‘Prime Minister Tupuola Efi’s salary is SWS7B3O per annum.

The lowest paid UN expert, known as L 1 can expect to earn around $25 000. At L 3 he is at $34 000 and can afford, if he so desires, to own two Mercedes-Benz limousines. The duty free privileges which go with the post have made such a prop osition attractive to at least one expert in Samoa.’ $2 MILLION TO KEEP FORUM FLAG AFLOAT Australia, New Zealand and Island nations with shares in the Pacific Forum Line will make more than $2 million available in bank overdrafts to keep the line going. President Hammer deßoburt of Nauru, chairman of the regional transport minis ters’ meeting in Auckland in February, said the line could now meet existing debts of $1 million and operating costs until 1981.

Somare Stirs Up The Unions

A statement by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare that he would be ‘only too glad’ to go along with any parliamentary decision to outlaw trade unions in the country has stirred up a united opposition front of trade unions and associations with about 200 000 members. The front plans a concerted campaign against any move to ban or restrict trade unions in PNG. Mr Somare spoke after strikes had hit a number of industries, including the economically vital Bougainville copper mine.

Evergreen Gets Pago Plum

A new air service between American Samoa and the US Trust Territory of the Pacific (Micronesia) has been approved by the US Civil Aeronautics Board. The Arizona-based airline Evergreen International will operate the service. Evergreen was granted a temporary licence to operate charters between American Samoa and the USA last year, but no decision on a permanent licence will be made until completion of hear ings on an objection by Zantop International Airlines.

Mara Welcomes Tora And Friends

Apisai Tora and other former members of the Taukei (Fijian) committee of the predominantly Indian National Federation Party were ceremonially welcomed into the Alliance Party in March. The ruling Alliance Party is mainly Fijian in mem bership. Present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and a number of government ministers.

Sandalwood Oil Plant For New Caledonia

Plans have been announced for a sandalwood oil distillery in New Caledonia which on completion will produce 12

tonnes of sandalwood oil, or 10% of world production, a year.

The factory, to cost $2 million, will use raw materials from New Caledonia’s Lifou and Mare Islands, and the Isle of Pines. The oil will be used in the French perfume indus try.

Who’S Idea On Diarrhoeal Diseases

Diarrhoeal diseases, still among the top killers in Pacific Island communities, expecially of children, could face a for midable foe in the newly developed oral rehydration method being promoted by the World Health Organisation in this International Year of the Child. The oral therapy has many advantages over the usual intravenous method. The prescribed liquid is simple to prepare and, above all, it can be administered at home.

Nadi College Thinks Of Needy

Nadi College, Fiji, is introducing a seventh form for students who cannot afford the SF3OOO annual fee charged at the University of the South Pacific. Seventh-form students, who will sit for the New Zealand bursaries examination, will pay S3OO for the year.

Apia Warning On American Firm

The Western Samoa Government has issued a warning that people should not become involved with the San Diego based finance firm of Stanley M. Sabihon and Associates.

The government warning said: The firm claims to offer large amounts of money at cheap interest rates. However, they "disappear” after applicants have paid a fee for their appli cations to be processed.’ The statement added that the government was ‘co-operating with the FBI in an investi gation of the firm.’

Huge Bid For Guam Franchise

A resounding vote of confidence in the future of Guam’s tour ist industry was a bid of SUSI4O million by Duty Free Shop pers Ltd for the 15-year shopping and restaurant franchise at the proposed new Guam international air terminal. The bid was believed to be based on the ever-increasing affluence and increasing numbers of Japanese visitors, the opening of new air services to Guam, and anticipated interest in Guam as a tropical resort for South Koreans.

Cooks’ Davis Looking Elsewhere

The Cook Islands Government has told New Zealand that it will look elsewhere for supplies if it is not allowed to send its own vessels to New Zealand to collect cargo. The NZ Seamen’s Union threatened to impose a ban on all NZ-registered vessels serving Rarotonga if the Cooks persisted in trying to send its locally-manned vessels to New Zealand. The union was refusing to allow vessels not manned by New Zealanders to be in the service. Cooks Premier Tom Davis was quoted in the New Zealand Herald as saying: ‘What am I going to do? Sit and put up with it? No sir.’ The only solution, he said, was to buy else where.