pacific report

Melanesian ’Guests’

Sent Home

A group of 70 Irian Jayans were returned to Asia island near Sorong village after three months detention in Koror, Palau.

The men were arrested in early February for fishing for trochus shells at Helen’s Reef, about 60 miles outside Indonesian waters, which they claim as a traditional fishing ground, Indonesia and Palau were unable to agree who should bear the cost of repatriation. Finally, the company that hired the fishermen paid for their return. During their time in Palau the detainees had carried out public works and were described as “super guests”.

Coffe Rust

Quarantine Law

Urgent amendments to Papua New Guinea’s quarantine laws were passed by parliament following an outbreak of coffee rust that threatened the country’s $3OO million industry. The outbreak occurred in five highlands areas. The quarantine law restricts all movement in and out of the Western Highlands.

However industry leaders say the out break will not seriously affect this year’s crop. They said there had been panic and misunderstanding among the gov ernment officials. The PNG Coffee In dustry Association’s executive director Craig McConaghy said the disease could be controlled and that spraying had already been done by the larger plantations. He agreed, however, there could be difficulties for the many small coffee farms.

Tjibaou Slams

French Proposal

FLNKS leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou de scribed the new French government proposals for the future of New Caledo nia as a provocation. The four regional councils are to have their authority curtailed by the new minister in charge of New Caledonia, Mr Bernard Pons, who said a referendum on independc ence will be held within a year. Mr Tjibaou accused the government of abandoning earlier promises on moves towards independence and said it could not be trusted.

Easier Access

For Forum Exports

As of July 1, most South Pacific Forum countries’ exports will have duty free entry to Australia, six months earlier than originally planned. Australia’s trade minister Mr Dawkins said the date had

been brought forward in an effort to further reduce the trade imbalance be tween Australia and the forum nations.

He made the announcement at the opening of Fiji’s trade exhibition in Sydney.

Pangu Trio Form

Breakaway Group

Three leading members of Papua New Guinea’s opposiiton Pangu Party have left the party to form their own poltical grouping. Sir Barry Holloway, John Nil kare and Tony Siaguru all former ministers in the Somare government say the party and the country need a new direction.

Aid To Repair

Cyclone Damage

The British government gave Fiji an immediate grant of $45,000 for relief work following the devastating cyclone and flooding. Survey teams were sent out to estimate the extent of the damage while evacuation centres were opened and some 8,000 people were being fed by the government. New Zealand pro vided two helicopters to help the relief operation. Eight people died in the floods.

Funds For Roads

And Wharf Projects

The World and Bank and the Asia Development Bank have lent Vanuatu $5 million for wharf and road building developments. The loans, repayable over fifty years, carry no interest.

Reagan Refuses

Spnfz Backing

President Reagan has refused to commit his government to signing the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone treaty. A senior White House spokesman said after the president had met with Austra lia’s prime minister Mr Hawke that no decision on the treaty was imminent.

Burns Philp Buys

Us Company

Burns Philp bought the American Fleischmanns company and full control of Dixie Inc for $2OO million. Both companies are involved in yeast and vinegar production. A Burns Philp spokesman said the two companies dominated the American and Canadian yeast markets and the move reflected Australia’s growing importance in world food markets.

Us Ready To End

Trusteeship

The United States has formally advised the United Nations that it is ready to terminate its trusteeship over more than 2,000 islands in Micronesia, A spokes man said the Micronesian states were ready to assume their rightful place in the world. The United States wants the UN Trusteeship Council to certify to the Security Council that the 100,000 people of the territory have exercised their right to self determination. The hope is that the Security Council will give final appro val next month to the dismantling of the trust. The Soviet Union, however, is expected to oppose the accords reached between the US and the Mar shall Islands, FSM, Palau and the North ern Marianas under which the US retains its responsibility for defence.

Reserve Bank Warns

Against Protectionism

The Reserve Bank of Fiji has warned the government against imposing excessive protection measures for local products.

The bank, in its quarterly report, says that by the end of 1984 36 categories of goods were subject to import restric tions. Last year, controls were imposed in eight other areas. The bank has warned that a lack of overseas competi tion might lead to inefficient allocation of resources. The report is critical of import substitution saying a small country such as Fiji should have an export-oriented economy. The bank also criticised the Ministry of Finance’s ability to estimate its debt service commitments, saying Fiji’s budget estimates over the past six years had consistently over-predicted debt servicing expenditure.

Taa Makes Air

Niugini An Offer

One of Australia’s two major domestic airlines, TAA, has offered to take over the management of Air Niugini. Senior TAA officials have already had talks with Air Niugini management and aviation minis ter Mrs Nahau Rooney.

New Disease

Hits Sugar Industry

Papua New Guinea's sugar industry was affected by a mystery disease that could threaten half the $3 million crop. The area at risk covered about 6,000 hec tares of cane in the Ramu valley. There were reports that production could be slashed by up to 80 per cent and doubts that the country could meet its export quota of 10,000 tonnes to the United States.