In This Issue

PAPUA NEW GUINEA ELECTIONS: Sean Dorney gives a -14 run down on the election highlights and results. Dornev writes 1 that as PIM went to press Opposition Leader Michael Somare had a strong chance of forming a government when Parliament sits in early August.

NEW ZEALAND AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC: As New IQ Zealand goes to the polls, Karen Mangnall looks at the country’s regional defence and foreign policies.

NEW ZEALAND RELATIONS WITH NIUE AND TOKELAU. 20 FIJI’S ECONOMIC WOES: Our Suva correspondent and staff 22 writers detail the strong measures being taken to stem the post-coup economic decline.

MUMTAZ ALI: Fiji envoy on trade and tourism development, 25 talked to PIM during his recent Australian visit.

JIM TAYLOR: Papua New Guinea's best known explorer and 26 kiap, died in Goroka on June 28. Close friend, Bill Gammage, gives an appreciation of his life and work.

TRADE WINDS: A French charter company plans to fly to 28 Noumea while UTA announces a range of fare reductions.

NEW CALEDONIA: Alain Rollat finds there is an uneasy calm 35 in the Territory as the count-down to the divisive September referendum begins.

PALAU: Unrest grows as President Salii lays-off public 37 servants after voters failed to give the necessary 75% approval for the Compact of Free Association. Giff Johnson reports.

WESTERN SAMOA: Attorney General Foni Retzlaff replies to 39 Albert Wendt’s June review of his country's progress since independence.

KIRIBATI: Batiri T. Bataua looks at proposals to build a space 40 centre on Christmas Island and reports on the opening of Kiribati’s new causeway.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Giff Johnson reports that Islanders 42 are continuing their fight for damages for US nuclear testing.