Pacific Report

‘It’S March 11 In Paris’ Mara

Fiji Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara announced in February that March 11 has been set as the date for a meeting in Paris between President Mitterrand and a delegation from the South Pacific Forum to discuss the future of France’s Pacific territories (PIM Jan p 6). The delegation, which will be led by Ratu Mara, will include Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Noel Levi, and Tonga’s High Commissioner in London. Earlier, it was understood that Tonga’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Crown Prince Tupouto’a would be representing that country. The 1982 budget of the South Pacific Bureau of Economic Co operation includes a sum equivalent to SUSSO 000 earmarked to pay for the mission, which was decided upon at the last meeting of the South Pacific Forum in Port-Vila in August.

Vital Fisheries Talks In Nauru

Representatives of seven states from the North and South Pacific were meeting in Nauru in February to plan an Inter-Pacific Islands Fishing Agreement designed to strengthen the bargaining position of Island states in dealings with major fishing nations. It was hoped that the agreement would also eventually regulate the issuing of licences to foreign fishing companies. Taking part in the talks were the Northern Pacific states of the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau, and, from the South Pacific, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.

Menguy Trip To Solomons Put Off

The Solomon Islands Government in January postponed indefinitely a planned visit to Honiara by French Ambassador designate Marc Menguy. Mr Menguy was to have gone to Solomon Islands to present his credentials, but, according to a Solomon’s government statement, ‘the climate of strong anti nuclear feeling in the Solomons made it inadvisable that he should some at that time. The French Embassy in Port-Vila, where Mr Menguy is resident ambassador, confirmed the postponement and said that a further attempt at presentation of credentials would be made ‘when the climate is back to normal’. lan Mclntyre in Port-Vila.

PORT DUES FOR CRUISING YACHTS IN VANUATU Sruising yachts are to be included for the first time under new egislation on port dues adopted by the government of Vanuatu, fhe dues are 9 Vatu per registered tonne up from 8 Vatu ar a minimum charge of 3000 Vatu for vessels under a net displacement of 333 tonnes. (One hundred Vatu are worth about 5A1.) Announcing the new charges, Vanuatu’s Director of Ports and Marine, Captain Robin Bibby, said that they were not designed to frighten away cruising yachts, which are always very welcome in Vanuatu waters. The intention was rather to act ealistically in the present economic conditions, and recoup some Df the operating costs involved in processing arriving vessels for Dorts, customs and immigration facilities. At present cruising yachts arriving in Port-Vila are encouraged to anchor off the quarantine buoy. A customs launch takes out immigration and Dort officials who board and process them, before directing them :o a safe anchorage. lan Mclntyre in Port-Viia.

Frade Union Meeting For Noumea?

Fhe recently formed Pacific Trade Union Forum is planning a meeting to be held in New Caledonia within the next couple of months. It is expected that the conference will call for ndependence for New Caledonia, and will press for a ban on nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. The meeting is expected o bring together unionists from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, -iji, Guam, Hawaii, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon slands, Tahiti and Vanuatu. Boycotts on trade with Australia (for ts role in producing nuclear fuel), and France (because of its luclear weapons testing programme), are to be considered by he meeting.

WE RE NOT SO DUMB’ MAMALONI TO ‘SPIES’

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Solomon Mamaloni has warned against other countries attempting to interfere with the nation’s domestic politics. Speaking in parliament, Mr Mamaloni said his government would not allow sovereign Solomon Islands to

become a puppet of other countries, Australia or New Zealand, or even the United States or the Soviet Union. He said: This nation’s intelligence service is not as dumb as our overseas friends may think. We are fully aware of those foreign secret services employed here to sabotage our political stability.’ He added that his country was out to rock the diplomatic boat a little.

He said he believed that up to now there had been too much ‘sugar diplomacy’, with everybody trying to appear ‘good members of the club’.

Storm In The Norfolk Teacup

The larger Island countries don’t have a monopoly of political turmoil; Norfolk Island, population about 1700, went to the polls on January 27 to elect its nine-member assembly. But what followed the election threatens to split the island community. Six of the successful candidates, including only one member of the old assembly, formed a bloc, the island’s first political party, voted the former Chief Minister David Buffett (who had headed the poll with 311 first-preference votes) out of his job, and chose the executive before the first meeting of the assembly 14 days later. All this was done in secret, charge the bloc’s critics and supporters of David Buffett. Declared allies in the bloc are Ed Howard, one of the four re-elected, John Brown, Bernie Christian-Bailey and Greg Quintal, along with two ‘independents’, Bill Sanders and Chloe Gray. The six held a meeting to which the three others, Mr Buffett, Alice Buffett (re-elected) and Gilbert Jackson (re-elected) were not invited. When the nine members met as the assembly, the three ‘outsiders’ were presented with a fait accompli in the shape of the new executive elected as follows: Assembly President, David Buffett. Deputy Assembly President, Bill Sanders. Executive Member for Administration, Education and Health, David Buffett. Executive Member for Planning, Tourism and the Environment, John Brown. Executive Member for Finance and Commerce, Ed Howard. The position of chief minister was seen to have been abolished. Instead, by rotation, each executive member will preside at a meeting, a decision described by ex-Chief Minister Buffett as doing a ‘great disservice to the Norfolk Island community’. He also said the bloc had removed areas of significant authority from his portfolio, quoting finance (held by Mr Howard) as an example. American-born Mr Howard is regarded as leader of the bloc by its opponents. They protest at the bloc’s treatment of the ‘outsiders’ who shared more than 57 percent of the first preference votes. They believe, however, that all is not lost, that, before the next meeting of the assembly the two independents, Bill Sanders and Chloe Gray, may ‘cross the floor’. A Special Correspondent on Norfolk Island.

The Commonwealth Of Guam?

In a referendum, voters in the ‘unincorporated’ American territory of Guam have chosen commonwealth status (like that of the Northern Marianas) over five other options. In a poll in which only 38 percent of registered voters turned out, they were asked to consider six options: independence, free association, common wealth status, statehood, incorporated territory status, or the territory’s status to remain unchanged. On the 10 000 votes cast, 48 percent favoured commonwealth status, and 25 percent statehood.

SEVEN DIE IN CRASH OF HISTORIC DC4 A French fleet air arm DC4 on a night training flight crashed 35 kilometres north of Noumea in January, killing all seven crewmen aboard. The aircraft burst into flames on impact, and the dead men were burnt beyond recognition. The World War 11-vintage plane was well known in the Pacific, having flown to a large number of Island countries over the years. Originally, the plane was a gift from the then US President Harry S. Truman to France’s General Charles de Gaulle. President Truman presented the General with the plane at the end of World War 11.

Asian Students Back Suva Meeting

A novel and significant feature of a recent conference for a nuclear-free and independent Pacific organised by the University of the South Pacific Students’ Association in Suva was that it was sponsored by the powerful Asian Students’ Association, which has chapters in 15 countries, from the Middle East to the shores of the Pacific. The coupling of the anti-nuclear and pro independence themes at the conference, which to some may seem unwarranted, has actually been made necessary by the refusal of the USA and France to grant independence to their last colonies on the grounds that they are unwilling to give up their military bases in Micronesia and Polynesia. The fact that the

world is thus confronted by two aspects of the same issue was strongly emphasised by Barak Sope, Vanuatu’s secretary of foreign affairs. He said that his country condemned any kind of nuclear activity in the region, whether it was testing, dumping of waste, or the transport of nuclear arms. ‘Throughout the Pacific the oppression of indigenous people is linked directly to the nuclear industry,’ he said. He urged Pacific Rim countries to recognise the total unacceptability of any policies of outside powers which could prejudice the environmental safety or integrity of the area. Marie-ThSrese Danielsson.

Probe Into Brych Trust Fund

Two members of the Auckland police fraud squad flew to the Cook Islands in February to investigate alleged irregularities in the medical trust fund set up five years ago when cancer therapist Milan Brych began working there. New Zealand press sources suggested that the ‘irregularities’ involve the alleged use of trust funds to pay legal costs for Mr Brych in New Zealand.

Seven Lost In Sir Garrick Sinking

Seven people died and eight survived following the sinking in the Gulf of Papua on January 29 of the 350-tonne passenger-freight barge Sir Garrick. Two, skipper Captain Ishia John, and third engineer Jerry Inia, are believed to have gone down with the barge when she succumbed to 80-knot winds 10 nautical miles southeast of Cape Suckling. Bosun David Amery, engineer Peter Alson, and cook Kusa Mundi are believed to have died of exposure or immersion while adrift in life jackets, and chief engineer Peter Walsh while adrift in an inflatable life raft. The other person who died was Norma John, 35-year-old Australian wife of the barge’s skipper. Eight people survived a long swim through shark-infested waters to the nearest island. Among them was Mr Walsh’s five-year-old son Kerry, who was half-carried and half-dragged by his adult companions to the shore.

Vatu Debut In March

Vanuatu plans the introduction of its own uniform new currency, the Vatu, in the third or fourth week of March. The Vatu will replace the present French-issued notes and coins, and Australian notes and coins.

N-Free Pacific March In Port-Vila

A demonstration in support of a nuclear-free Pacific was held in Port-Vila on January 23. A petition presented to French Ambassador Marc Menguy protested against French nuclear testing, and accused France of seeking to become ‘sole owner’ of the Pacific through its claims to 200-nautical-mile economic zones around its Pacific territories.

Three Die In Fiji Cyclone

Cyclone Hettie, which struck Fiji at the end of January, claimed at least three lives: Permal Reddy, 19, of Wilevu, near Labasa, drowned after diving into the swollen Wailevu River for a swim. A Fiji Electricity Authority linesman, Tili lliate, 31, died in Labasa Hospital after being electrocuted and falling from a power pole.

At Nadi, Josai Bose, 36, a labourer at the Vaturu Dam site, was swept away by floodwaters at Natawa village.

Sir John Guise Bows Out

The ‘father figure’ of Papua New Guinea politics, Sir John Guise, announced his retirement from public life in February. The immediate result of his move is that his Milne Bay parliamentary seat will be up for grabs in the June elections. Sir John, 67, was the first governor-general of independent PNG, and has the longest record of parliamentary service of any politician in the country. He was the country’s first deputy chief minister in pre independence ‘self-government’ days working with Chief Minister Michael Somare and has held practically every sort of ministerial post over the years. While he said in his retirement statement that he was ‘going to grow vegetables in my wife’s village in Milne Bay’, few observers expect the colourful ‘Papa Doc’ to disappear completely from the public eye.

Trade Union Lessons From Denmark

Bent Pihl, of Denmark, an expert in workers’ education, is in Fiji on a two-year contract to conduct seminars, workshops and courses for trade union officials. The project, which will also cover Western Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, has a two-year budget of SUS72B 775 financed by the Danish International Development Agency. Sponsors are the Danish Government and the International Labor Organisation.

Palau-Philippines Link Sought

The Senate of the Palau National Congress has passed a resolution requesting President Marcos of the Philippines to ‘give serious consideration’ to Air Nauru’s petition for landing rights in

Manila. Koror, Palau’s capital, is only two hours flying time from Manila, and the Palauans, according to Senator Abel Suzuki, would appreciate the opportunity to travel more cheaply to the Philippines for holidays, business and shopping. Alternatively, Palau would support a Manila-Koror service by Philippine Air Lines.

Fiji’S Big Public Works Plans

Fiji’s Public Works Department is spending nearly SFSO million on three schemes for the greater Suva area, a trunk sewer network and sewage treatment facilities ($l7 million-plus), a water treatment plant ($7 334 200), and the upgrading and sealing of Queens Road between Korotogo and Pacific Harbour (66 kilometres), costing $2l million. Completion of the road is scheduled for the end of 1984.

All-Weather’ Road Links For Png

The Asian Development Bank has approved the provision of technical assistance to Papua New Guinea for studies to upgrade to ‘all-weather transport’ three important road links. They are: Popondetta-Oro Bay Road (56 kilometres), Lae-Munum section (31 km) of the Highlands Road, and the Waterais-Lanu section (31 km) of the Lae-Madang Road.

Fiji Timber To Vanuatu And Italy?

The Fiji Pine Commission has sent a trial shipment of timber to Vanuatu worth SF4O 000. The commission hopes to establish a permanent market in Vanuatu for Fiji pine. Fiji also has a potential market for its timbers in Italy but, according to Fiji Conservator of Forests, Konusi Yabaki, who recently returned from trade talks there, Fiji timber prices are too high compared with the African product. Fiji could make a bid for the Italian market through the University of Florence, which has asked for some samples.

Fiji’S New Seismological Gear

Aided by a grant from Japan of SF32B 102, the Fiji Government has established three unmanned seismological stations, one on Vanua Levu, another at Taveuni Island and the third at Gau Island. A new centre at which seismological information will be analysed has been opened at Nabua, near Suva.

MARIANAS: THE GOVERNING COUSINS . . .

Republican Pedro Pangelinan Tenorio has been sworn in as governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, succeeding Carlos S. Camacho. The new governor’s cousin, Pedro Agulto Tenorio, is the new lieutenant-governor. The gubernatorial election followed a long legal wrangle over Camacho’s right to contest the position for the Democratic Party (PIM Oct ’Bl p 6).

Bp To Go Back To Sea?

Burns Philp & Co Ltd, Sydney, is exploring the possibility of re entering the shipping industry with a new line, exclusively serving the Pacific. Plans are still a long way from realisation, but the word is that the line, if it should come into being, would be complementary to, rather than in competition with, the Pacific Forum Line.

Tuvalu Adds To Diplomatic Links

Tuvalu established diplomatic relations with Bangladesh in December, and the Netherlands in February. The country now has diplomatic relations with 16 countries.

Severe Flooding On Tongatapu

Several villages on the northwest coast of Tongatapu, Tonga, were evacuated in February following the worst floods to strike the area in 20 years.

N.Z. Diplomat’S ‘Tri’ Rescued By French

Seven people were rescued from a crippled trimaran 290 kilometres southwest of Noumea in February. A French naval patrol boat, La Dunkerquoise, took the stricken 14-metre Cynsan in tow for Noumea after it had lost its rudder following two tropical cyclones. The trimaran’s owner, New Zealand diplomat Geoffrey Matthews, was sailing her back to New Zealand following a tour of duty with the New Zealand High Commission in Suva. Others on board were his wife and daughter, and four friends.

Fiji Warning On Condoms

Fiji’s Ministry of Health in February issued a directive to stop the issuing of the Tahiti brand of condoms following complaints about their effectiveness. The complaints were made in a letter to The Fiji Times in which the (unnamed) correspondent claimed he (or she) had tested several of the condoms and found them unreliable. The writer claimed they ‘burst open at a very early stage’. Condoms of this brand were given to the Health Department as a gift by the International Planned Parenthood Federation in January, 1981.