Pacific Report
pp. 7-8 · Read in the full issue
Kiribati-Soviet Deal Goes Through
The vexed issue of the signing by Kiribati of a fisheries agreement with the Soviet Union was apparently resolved with a vote of the Kiribati Parliament late in August rejecting a no confidence motion against the government for its handling of the affair. The parliamentary vote effectively ratified the agreement signed shortly before with the Russians in Manila. Under the agreement the Soviet fishing company Sovrybflot has rights to operate 16 fishing vessels withing Kiribati’s 200-mile fisheries zone for a year for a fee of about SUSI.S million. Soviet vessels, however, will not be allowed to enter the 12-mile territorial limit. Nineteen MPs voted against the motion of no confidence, 15 voted for it, and there were two abstentions and one absentee. Speaking against the motion, President leremia Tabai said the government had the support of most Kirabati people, and there was no firm ground for the motion. He said the only reason the government had signed the agreement with the Russians was because the American Tunaboat Association had refused to do so. Referring obliquely to expressions of concern about the agreement by countries such as the U.S. and Australia, Mr Tabai had said in an earlier statement that his country of 56,000 people was deeply insulted by the attitudes of some nations in the affair. He said he did not accept that the presence of Soviet fishing boats represented a threat to Western security in the region. Rejection of the no confidence motion led immediately to the announcement of the formation of a new political party in Kiribati. Called the Christian Democratic Party, it consists of the 15 Opposition MPs, who say they will campaign for a referendum on the Soviet fishing issue, and that the result of the referendum should be binding on the government. If the govenment refuses a referendum, a petition would be taken up throughout the country. As a last resort, they say they would consider possible secession from Kiribati. Vanuatu has also been approached by the Soviet Union for a similar agreement, and its offer is being studied by an inter-departmental committee. But a Vanuatu Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Vanuatu would wait to see how the Soviet-Kiribati agreement works out before making a decision.
U.S. Urged To Sign Fishery Accords
An American specialist on the South Pacific says the U.S. must end its neglect of the area in order to keep an eager Soviet Union out.
In a report to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group with close links to the U.S. Government, Mrs Dora Alves recommends that the U.S. reach regional fishing agreements with the South Pacific nations, provide help in developing their all-important fishing industry, and increase America’s diplomatic presence in the region. Mrs Alves, a former specialist at Georgetown University’s Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said the younger generation of Pacific island leaders now taking power were concerned with economic development. They were angered over what they saw as U.S. insensitivity, and were therefore prepared to consider Soviet offers of economic assistance. Mrs Alves said that following the Kiribati fishing agreement with the Soviet Union, the U.S. must make its top priority in the region the conclusion of a fisheries agreement.
Salii Is New Palau President
Senator Lazarus Salii, who, as head of the Micronesian Political Status Commission, played a large part in the negotiations with the United States over the political and economic future of the Micronesians when the Trust Territory agreement ends, is the new President of Palau. He defeated acting President and former Deputy President Alfonso Oiterong by 608 votes in the election which followed the murder on June 30 of President Haruo Remeliik. Senator Salii has 4040 votes and Mr Oiterong 3432.
Four men arrested in connection with the Remeliik killing have been released for lack of evidence.
Somare Dodges No Confidence Move
A parliamentary adjournment, a week earlier than expected, saved Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare in early September from facing a no confidence motion tabled by former
Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan, leader of the opposition People’s Progress Party. The motion was to have been seconded by National Party leader Mr lambakey Okuk, who left the coalition government because, he said, his party was not given its fair share of ministries. Sir Julius said he was obliged to move a motion of no confidence because the management of the country was in a mess.
During a debate a few days before the adjournment, the government failed in an attempt to have parliament dissolved and fresh elections called, the motion being defeated twice on the voices. Mr Somare survived a no confidence motion tabled in March by Sir Julius, but he faces strong criticism for the government’s moves in combating the crime wave by imposing a curfew in Port Moresby, the capital, and accusations by former Deputy Prime Minister Mr Paias Wingti that he had associated himself for several years with an Australian airline, Pelair, formerly Wings Australia Ltd., “mentioned” in inquiries in Australia into the drug trade. A commission of inquiry, instigated by Mr Somare to probe allegations made against him, has been appointed. National Court Judge, Mr Justice Bredmeyer heads the commission which includes Silas Samual and Martin Loi, two senior magistrates.
Announcing the inquiry, Deputy Prime Minister Father Momis said the inquiry would also cover the sale of the government executive jet and the purchase of three Israeli-made Arava aircraft for the PNG Defence Force. Father Momis said allegations against the government and the Prime Minister were serious and it was proper that they should be investigated.
Greenpeace Garners Big Bucks In Nz.
A third Greenpeace vessel left Auckland early in September to join the vessels Vega and Alliance which set sail in August for the nuclear protests cruise to Moruroa which was to have been led by the bombed former North Sea cod boat, Rainbow Warrior. It was the yacht Breeze. In a telegram to its skipper, Jim Cottier, New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange wished him well and described the action in joining the flotilla as courageous. He said the voyage stated clearly to French authorities the opposition of the people of the South Pacific to French nuclear testing. A new ship to lead the flotilla, a former sea-going tug bearing the name Greenpeace, was at the time on its way from Europe to lead the flotilla. Reports from Papeete said a French naval vessel would leave there in mid-September to prevent Greenpeace and the other craft from entering French territorial waters. Meanwhile demonstrations were held in Auckland on September 7 against French N-tests. About 100 demonstrators gathered outside the office of the French airline UTA. They also marched to the entrance of a store selling French products, in support of a proclaimed 30-day boycott of French goods. The French newsagency, AFP, reporting from Wellington, said the boycott had received little support. But the newsagency reported that in two months following the Rainbow Warrior sinking on July 10, the Greenpeace organisation had received almost SNZ2OO,OOO in donations from the New Zealand public.
Barricades In Caledonia After Girl Shot
An uneasy calm had been restored by mid-September in the east coast region of New Caledonia following two days of trouble caused by the shooting of a young Melanesian girl. Sue Williams reports from Noumea that gendarmes had dismantled barricades blocking the main east coast road. The barricades were set up by Kanak independence supporters near the town of Ponerihouen.
However, the region was still not considered safe, and residents were being advised to stay off the roads. The trouble began on September 4 when the 15-year-old girl was shot and seriously wounded. A 22-year-old man has been charged over the incident.
However, the Kanak independence movement, the FLNKS, gave the authorities until September 9 to expel the man’s family from the area, along with the head of the gendarmes in the Ponerihouen area. The independence movement has also directed that non-Kanaks will not be allowed to circulate among the tribes of the region. If these conditions were not met, local FLNKS members said they would boycott the September 29 regional election.
Warrior: French ‘ Stinginess 9 Factor
Nancy Wake, Australian-born heroine of the World War II French Resistance George Medal, Croix de Guerre with Palm and Bar, Croix de Guerre with Star, Medaille de Resistance, American Medal of Freedom, member of the Legion d’Honneur knows her way around the world of French intelligence organisations better than most. In comments made to interviewer John Hallows in The Weekend Australian of September 7-8 she showed (a) that she had not the slightest doubt that French agents wer responsible for the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland on July 10, and (b) that she thought the action entirely justified. Her one point of criticism of the operation centred on what she called French “stinginess” the delay in getting out of the country by the now jailed “Turenge” couple (read Prieur/Mafart) who stayed around so they could collect the deposit on the campervan they had hired.
Ms Wake, now 73 and living in Sydney, told Hallows; “If I’d been blowing it up, I’d have got straight out of the country. Within half an hour, if possible but before the search started. And if I’d been in their position, I would indeed have blown up the ship; it’s a tragedy someone got killed, but I can understand why the attack was made. I’d have more sympathy for peace groups if they paid more attention to Russian nuclear weapons. I don’t see why it’s all right for Russia to test her bombs but somehow immoral for the West to be able to defend itself. But once I had blown up the ship I’d have been out of New Zealand before anyone started to look for me. But where the French went wrong was to submit to a typical piece of Gallic stinginess. The French always have to have the paperwork accounted for. So they went back to Whangarei or wherever it was to get the deposit back on the campervan. ” The interview took place on the occasion of the forthcoming publication of Nancy Wake’s autobiography, The White Mouse the Germans’ code name for her during her wartime activities.
Anti-Communists Slam Kiribati Deal
A communique from the 31st general conference of the Asian-Pacific Anti-Communist League has criticised the granting of fishing rights to the Soviet Union by Kiribati. It said the fishing deal was a warning that the small nations of the Pacific needed greater economic support if communist expansion by Russia and China was to be stopped. The communique, which was released from the conference in Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa, said international communists were vying with each other for influence over the Pacific region. The league urged New Zealand not to withdraw from the ANZUS defence alliance with Australia and the United States, and also called for mutually beneficial investment among free nations of Asia and the Pacific. Over 100 delegates from 38 countries took part in the conference.
Kenilorea Survives No Confidence Vote
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sir Peter Kenilorea survived a no confidence motion in parliament on September 6. On the same day a settlement was announced to a damaging five-day-old strike by public employees. The no confidence motion tabled by Opposition Leader Solomon Mamaloni charged Sir Peter with displaying a general lack of co-ordinated leadership, an inexplic able delay by the coalition government in presenting a national development plan, inefficient government financial management, and a deterioration in the country’s economy. A walk-out by five government members the previous week resulted in parliament being suspended until September 2, thus preventing a debate on the no confidence motion. To add to Sir Peter’s troubles, the whole of the Public Service went on strike in protest at the government’s handling of the sale of government houses.
Cook Islands Party Disowns Rebels
The Cook Islands Party has disowned four of its MPs who have remained with the government of Sir Thomas Davis. A coalition government between the CIP and Sir Thomas’s Democratic Party broke up late in August The CIP moved to the Opposition benches, and its September central committee meeting ruled that the four remaining on the government benches had, by their actions, deserted the party. However, the four MPs concerned, including Deputy Prime Minister Dr Terepai Maoate, said they still regarded themselves as CIP members, and the government as a coalition between the CIP and DP.
Fiji G.-G. Visits Malaysia
Fiji’s Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau was due to visit Malaysia in mid-September. His first official visit to the country was
seen as part of Fiji’s effort to strengthen links with the countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ratu Sir Penaia was expected to meet Malaysia’s king and prime minister, among other dignitaries.
AT LAST , A NEW PANAMA CANAL?
The decades-long speculation about a “new” Panama canal took on a new lease of life in September with a Japanese press suggestion that before the month was out an agreement for a feasibility study on the problem would be signed in New York by U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz, and Japanese and Panamanian Foreign Ministers Shintaro Abe and Jorge Abadia Arias. Reporting from Tokyo, Clyde Haberman of The New York Times writes: The present canal, completed in 1914, is too narrow and shallow to accommodate modem bulk-cargo carriers and supertankers. Ships are limited to a maximum of 65,000 tons, and it usually takes them 20 hours or more to make the crossing. Three basic possibilities will be examined enlarging the existing canal; building a new one; or improving rail, highway and pipeline links across the Panamanian isthmus. The late president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shigeo Nagano, vigorously advocated a project which would enable fully loaded 300,000-ton tankers to pass through. His plan called for a waterway roughly parallel to the present canal and five kilometres to the west. It would be about 96 kilometres long and 215 metres wide, most of it dug inland with a section cutting across Gatun Lake. Mr Nagano, who died last year, said the proposal would reduce ocean travel time between Japan and the LJ.S’s east coast by one-third. It would also give the U.S. more flexibility in moving aircraft carriers and other huge naval ships, he argued. His plan is taken seriously enough here to have drawn support from large construction companies such as Mitsubishi and Kashima and from the Industrial Bank of Japan and the Bank of Tokyo. However, the sheer expense of such a project has raised questions about its practicability. There also are long-standing disagreements about the probability of overcoming engineering problems caused by the fact that Pacific Ocean tides reach far greater heights than those of the Atlantic.
Ccop/Sopac Meets In Honiara
About 70 representatives were to attend a two-week meeting beginning in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on September 10 of a regional organisation assisting South Pacific countries to evaluate their mineral resources on or beneath the seabed. It was the 14th meeting of the Committee for co-ordination of Joint Prospecting for Mineral Resources in South Pacific Offshore Areas (CCOP/ SOPAC). Member countries include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Kiribati, Guam, Tonga, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Western Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Zealand. Technical advisers at the meeting were expected to come from a number of countries, including Australia, France, Japan, the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union, West Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. There were also observers from United Nations agencies. Included on the agenda were discussions on manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles in the Pacific. There were also reports from groups studying resources and tectonics in the South Pacific.
South Pacific Rugby Team Formed
The South Pacific Rugby Confederation is to form a rugby team made up of players from the six countries that took part in the last South Pacific Mini Games held in the Cook Islands. A rugby official in Honiara, Solomon Islands, said the name of the team would be C.0.P.R.A., which stands for “Countries of the Pacific Rugby Association”.
New Poll In French Polynesia
The head of the local government in French Polynesia, Premier Gaston Flosse, in late August proposed to ask the Paris government to dissolve the Territorial Assembly and organise new elections two years ahead of the due date. An overwhelming majority of assemblymen endorsed his proposal which put Flosse in a strong bargaining position when he was received in Paris on September 5 by French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius.
A smiling Flosse emerged from the meeting and announced that Fabius had accepted not only the dissolution of the assembly but also an increase in the number of seats from 30 to about 40.
Furthermore, according to Flosse, Fabius is also willing to scrap the brand-new statute, or consitution, which was celebrated with much fanfare during the recent Festival of Pacific Arts (PIM Sept, p. 22), and replace it with a genuine system of self-government on the Cook Islands model. Marie-Therese and Bengt Danielsson.