Pacific Report

U.S. Gets Tough In Solomons Row

The U.S. Government moved swiftly in September to signal its seriousness in the row with the Solomon Islands Government over the seizure in Solomons waters in June of the U.S. fishing vessel Jeanette Diana (PIM Sep. p4l). The Solomons Government has called for tenders for purchase of the ship. A subsequent U.S. State Department release firmly reiterated U.S. policy that it does not “recognise that coastal states may unilaterally control fisheries for highly migratory species, such as tuna, within the 12-200-mile zone.” It added; “The U.S. Government considers that if the Solomon Islands Government attempts either to use the vessel, or to sell the vessel to another party, potential buyers should be aware of the cloud on the title.” However, it also pointed to the “co-operative and close relations existing between the two countries, ” and voiced the hope that “this problem can be resolved amicably.” Then a notice was published in Australian and other Southwest Pacific newspapers on the weekend of September 8-9 giving chapter and verse on the U.S. legal position. It said: “This is to place all prospective purchasers on notice that Security Pacific National Bank, a national banking association in the United States, is the holder of a U.S. first preferred mortgage on the Jeanette Diana dated December 28, 1978, as amended by a first amendment to first preferred mortgage dated February 18, 1983.

The mortgage, as amended, is in the sum of $U53,133,333. The bank’s preferred mortgage lien against the vessel is protected in event of forfeiture. A purchaser will take the vessel subject to the bank’s mortgage lien, and clear title cannot therefore be transferred by the Government of the Solomon Islands”. Earlier, the U.S. had banned imports of Solomons tuna. In other developments, the South Pacific Forum meeting in Tuvalu on August 27-28 refused to act upon a Solomons appeal for support in its quarrel with the U.S., saying it was for the two parties alone to settle it (see separate reports this issue). Smarting under the Forum’s rebuff, the Solomons Government hinted broadly that it might lift its ban on Russian ships visiting Solomons ports. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Trade announced that it was approached by the Soviet Union earlier this year about a licence to fish in Solomons’ waters. Said the ministry: “In the light of Solomon Islands’ policy banning Soviet vessels from Solomon Islands’ ports, the government was reluctant to consider Russian approaches, but now the Solomon Islands has a changed situation as regards fisheries. ”

Air Pacific Board Resigns En Masse

The Air Pacific saga continues with the mass resignation of what might be called the “John Hill” board of directors, and the appointment, by Civil Aviation Minister Jonati Mavoa, of a new and smaller board under lan Thomson. Mr Thomson, highly respected as a government administrator, and as Independent Chairman of the Fiji Sugar Industry, from which post he retired earlier this year, has no previous experience of airline management and says he is well aware of the huge problems ahead of him Air Pacific is said to be in debt to the tune of $29 million and continuing to lose money at the rate of $500,000 a month Of this figure more than $160,000 is said to be going to Ansett Transport Industries of Australia for the wet lease of a Fokker F 27 Friendship airliner needed to keep Air Pacific’s domestic services running Ansett has said nothing publicly, but aviation industry sources consider them to be “breaking their necks” to conclude a joint venture deal with Air Pacific along the lines of their successful regional arrangements with Polynesian Airlines, of Western Samoa, and Air Vanuatu. For Ansett the attraction is obvious If they had Air Pacific’s very considerable list of landing rights they could become, virtually overnight, Australia’s second international airline. Air Pacific has landing rights in all Pacific Island countries, in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and probably also further afield.

Ihose, say industry observers, could be of enormous value to Ansett. Ansett also has a fleet of Boeing 767 airliners similar to those Air New Zealand and Qantas have ordered to handle their snorter-haul routes. Air Pacific’s board resigned while chairman John Hill was on leave in England. According to Suva reports he

had no knowledge of the mass resignation until he was telephoned by Mahendra Patel, the deputy chairman, and told of the decision, which he was expected to support. He did so. The new board, though smaller by four members than the old 11-man team, has only two new faces, Mr Thomson, and Lautoka businessman, Hari Punja. Mr Hill is not among those continuing to serve. Other members of the board are Adam Dickson, Suva chartered accountant and the company secretary, the secretary for civil aviation, Jioji Kotobalavu, the secretary of the Public Service Commission, Winston Thompson, and a representative of the Tongan Government, Dr Langi Kavaliku. Mahendra Patel con tinues as deputy chairman. Special correspondent in Suva. See also “People”.

Indonesia -Png Agree On Repatriations

Indonesia has approved an agreement with Papua New Guinea for repatriation of thousands of refugees from the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya. The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr Mochtar, said he had given final approval to a letter of exchange setting out an agreement on repatriations. The agreement had been reached the week before by the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border liaison committee. Australian Associated Press said the letter of exchange now requires the approval of PNG Foreign Minister, Rabbie Namaliu. AAP said it gave September 17 as the tentative date for starting the repatriations and asked for assurances on the safety of the refugees, once they have returned. Dr Mochtar told a news conference in Jakarta that he had gladly given such assurances.

However, he warned earlier that army deserters and criminals would be subject to discipline. Meanwhile, medical reports say most of the Irian Javan children in refugee camps in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province have been without food for so long that their growth has been stunted. The reports, given to the Papua New Guinea Government, show that the problem existed before they crossed from Irian Jaya. PNG’s Provincial Affairs Minister, Mr Nilkare, said that while the people had not been fed properly before they arrived in PNG it did not excuse mistakes made by the Government. He said the condition of the refugees explained how they caught diseases easily. Three reports have been given to the Government . . . one from the Ok Tedi mining company’s nutritional team, another from the medical officer from the North Fly area, and a third from the superintendent of the Port Moresby General Hospital. The parliament in PNG has been told that 93 refugees mostly old people or children have died from starvation-related diseases since they crossed into the country.

Coleman's Bid For Third Term Contested

In American Samoa a bid by the current governor to stand for a third term is being contested. The territory’s first election for a governor was held in 1977, but the election was only for a three-year term to permit synchronisation with the American elections in 1980. Governor Peter Tali Coleman has announced his candidacy for a third term, arguing that his first three-year tenure of office was not a full term. However, a petition by American Samoa’s chief election officer to have the High Court determine if Governor Coleman is eligible to run for a third term has been denied. Chief Justice Robert Gardner ruled that the election officer had first to make a decision on Coleman’s eligibility before anyone could bring the matter before the court.

Kiribati Improves Its Japan Fish Deal

Kiribati has signed a new fishing agreement with Japan under which Kiribati will get a 50 per cent increase in payments. Under the new deal, Kiribati will get $1.5 million for the one-year period, plus $167,000 in aid to pay for fishing gear used by local fishermen. Under the previous agreement, Kiribati was paid a lump sum of $1 million, plus some aid for its own fishing industry.

Kiribati Minister for Natural Resources Development, Babera Kirata, said Japanese boats fishing in Kiribati waters would now pay a charge rate of just over four per cent of the catch value, plus the registration fee. The Japanese Fishing Association will collect the charge rate and the fee for Kiribati.

New Caledonia: Uregei Replies To Hawke

The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Hawke, says his government would condemn any attempts by New Caledonia’s independence movement to raise outside support if this involved the use or threat of violence or terrorism. Mr Hawke told Parliament in Canberra that he was disturbed to learn of indications that some elements of the French territory’s independence movement were considering seeking outside support. He said Australia was anxious to see independence in New Caledonia as soon as it was realistically possible, but was concerned that the transition should be smooth and peaceful. The Prime Minister was making a statement to Parliament on the August meeting of the South Pacific Forum in Tuvalu which he attended. Among other things, the Forum decided to condemn moves by elements of the New Caledonia Independence Front to seek support from forces outside the region that advocated terrorism. In his statement to Parliament, Mr Hawke also announced that Australia’s Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, would make an extensive official tour of South Pacific countries later this month. In a comment on Mr Hawke’s parliamentary statement, Yann Uregei, one of two leaders of New Caledonia’s Independence Front who visited Libya in August, said: “Mr Hawke should look at the real threat of violence in New Caledonia. This source lies in colonialism, not in the movement for independence.”

Oz Stolen Cars In Islands?

Australian detectives working for 18 months in strict secrecy have uncovered a stolen car racket which has been netting Australian criminals as much as SAIOO million a year. The wealth of the car thieves is said to rival that of the country’s drug, gaming and vice kings. According to one press report, the stolen cars with their new “identities of changed registration and compliance plates “are spirited both interstate within Australia and overseas to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands”.

Flosse To Urge N Tests Referendum

Gaston Flosse announced at the recent congress of his Tahoeraa Huiraatira party that he would be calling upon the French Government to organise a referendum in French Polynesia on whether the nuclear-testing agency CEP should or should not remain in the territory. The vice-president of the Government Council said he would accompany this move with a study of the economic and social measures to be taken in the event of the CEP’s withdrawal. French Government military expenditure in the territory in 1983 was the equivalent of SAI3S million, or about 15 per cent of total expenditure of $825 million.

10 Die In Png Air Crash

A nine-year-old girl lay with both her legs broken in the wreckage of a plane for nearly 15 hours before rescuers found her alive among nine bodies on a remote mountain in Papua New Guinea on September 7. Another child who kept her company during the long, wet night died in the rescue helicopter only minutes from the safety of the health centre at the Ok Tedi gold mine. Of the 11 people who boarded the Talair Britten Norman Islander at Tabubil on their way to Telefomin, the girl was the only survivor Two Australians were among the dead, the pilot and his wife. The girl who was in a serious but stable condition with the broken legs and a broken finger, lost her whole family. Her father, a policeman had been taking his wife and five children on holiday. The other two passengers were reported to be a policeman and the prisoner he was escorting. PNG’s Director of Civil Aviation, Joe Wal, said the Islander went down about 3 p.m. on September 6, 26 km east of labubil, the Ok Tedi mine town.

Fiji: Unionist Warns On Corruption

A leading trade unionist in Fiji has warned that corruption is increasing in the government and public bodies. The general secretary of the Fiji Public Service Association, Mahendra Chaudhry. told the annual convention of the National Federation Party in Suva that corruption had become like a cancer in Fiji. He said corruption could be clearly seen in the awarding of government contracts, and in the appointment of members of government-run organisations. Mr Chaudhry said this corruption was spreading because it was passively accepted by the people of Hji. He said people in high office in Fiji were flouting the laws they were supposed to be administering

PUTS KOYA CALLS FOR NEW FOREIGN POLICY Fiji’s Opposition Leader, Siddiq Koya, has called for a reappraisal of the country’s foreign policy. Speaking at the annual convention of the oppostion National Federation Party, Mr Koya said Fiji's foreign policy had been developed piecemeal and there was a need for the country to take new directions. Mr Koya said the NFP, as the alternative government, would have to make clear its opposition to French nuclear testing in the South Pacific and the dumping of nuclear wastes there. He said that if the NFP was to govern, it had to have a clear understanding of foreign policy.

Tenders Called For Fisheries Patrol Boat

The Australian Government has formally called for tenders to build the vessel to be used in the Pacific Patrol Boat Project. The project involves a special boat for coastal surveillance of Pacific Island countries to prevent foreign fishing boats and other vessels from intruding into their exclusive economic zones. Five countries Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Western Samoa have decided to take part in the project.

Announcing the tender, Australian Defence Minister Gordon Scholes said the aim was to build a boat that was easy to operate, simple to maintain, and cheap to run. Mr Scholes said his government also was considering modernising a number of Attack class navy patrol boats for the project.

Solomons To The Polls

The four years life of the Solomon Islands Parliament has ended and Parliament has been dissolved. General elections will be held towards the end of October.

Niue: Sir Robert Rex Returned

Niue’s recent general elections ended with Sir Robert Rex, aged 75, retaining the Premiership and reappointing his Cabinet son Robert Rex jr, Dr Enetama Lipitoa and Frank Lui but some portfolios were re-shuffled.

Compensation Flows For Santo Victims

The Vanuatu Government has begun payments of compensation for damages suffered in the 1980 revolt on Santo, Malakula and Tanna just before independence. The government announced that claimants would be paid only two-thirds of their total claims because the French Government had not indicated that it would pay a third of the total claims as requested. Britain and Vanuatu are each paying out about SAI2 million.

BIDDING RE OPENED ON PNG TIMBER PROJECT Papua New Guinea’s Office of Forests has invited Bunning Brothers Pty Ltd, of Western Australia, to re-submit development plans for the 280,000-ha timber project at Vanimo in West Sepik Province. The PNG Government gave sole negotiating rights to Halla Resources, of South Korea, which was in competition with Bunning Brothers, but rejected Halla’s final development pro posals.

Ham Network Serves Again

Ham radio operators from Pitcairn Island, Tahiti, Honolulu and New Zealand pooled their efforts in early September to raise the alarm about the plight of a 56-year-old Pitcairn woman urgently in need of surgery for appendicitis. A German freighter, Pieter Altmann, changed course for Pitcairn, and after fighting heavy seas for several hours managed to get the patient on board. It then set sail for Mangareva where a French naval aircraft was waiting to fly her to Tahiti for surgery. Final outcome of the drama was not yet known at press time.

Png Business Show Success In Sydney

Thirteen Papua New Guinea companies displayed their wares in a three-day trade exhibition organised by the PNG Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Australian International Trade Development Centre in Sydney September 4-6. On show were wearing apparel, paintings and artifacts, timber, furniture, jewel lery, seafood, coffee, biscuits, sweets and beer. The project was financed by the Australian Development Assistance Bureau under the Australian Aid Program. Preliminary estimates of orders received were $103,000 firm, and $lBO,OOO still subject to negotiation. It is hoped that over the coming 12 months, the exhibition will generate business worth $1 million.