Pacific

Islands

Monthly

Vol 60. N 0.12

Voice Of The Pacific

December 1990

Interview

VILI Fuavao: When the chief execu tives of the major regional organis ations sit down at their next joint meeting, they will be welcoming a new meember to their ranks. He is Dr Vili Fuavao, the first Director of the South Pacific Regional Environment Pro gramme who spoke to Pacific Islands Monthly about the past, the present and the future. / 51 ■ HEALTH: We all thought condoms were good for the health until Tongan Bishop Patelisio Finau came along and condemned condoms as “lethal rubbish ”. Why? / 13 ■ COMMENT: Pacific Islands philos opher Futa Helu joins Pacific Islands Monthly this month as a columnist. The

56-year Helu, the founder of Tonga’s Atenisi Institute in Nuku’alofa, will provide indepen dent commentaries on issues covering the region. He de

scribes him,sel;f as a liberal with no political affiliation and whose education system is based on “classical traditional ist principles”. His institute, which encourages free thought, has students from other Pacific Islands and Europe.

Welcome Futa. / 7

The Region

ISSUES: A decision on thee future home of the Pacific’s oldest and largest regional organisation has been defereed for another year, frustrating the plans of New Caledonian authorities who want the South Pacific Commission land in Noumea for tourist development. From Noumea, Geoff Adlide reports on the SPC headquarters saga /II ■

BEHAVIOUR: From the Highlands

of Papua New Guinea to the streets of New York, drug pushers are talking about New Guinea Gold, a high-grade marijuana now hitting the market.

From Port Moresby, Frank Senge reports on what’s blooming on the coffee-growing district / 21 ■ RELATIONS: As Fiji celebrates its fourth post-coup Christmas, the

country’s political leadership begins to

see little need in returning to the Commonwealth. In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara renews old relations and says why the Commonwealth now takes a backseat. Special report / 17

Publish*!-: Geoffrey Hussey Editor: Jale Moala A| Phnce, Angela McCarthy, David North, David Robie, Diana McManus, Dykes Angiki, Frank Senge, Frank Madoeuf, Irene Nisbet, John Hunter, Karen Mangnall, Lito Vilisoni, Macel Manua, Nicholas Rothwell, Pesi Fonua, Richard Dinnen, Ulafala Aiavao, Wally Hiambohn Business Correspondent: Robin Bromby. Columnists: David Barber

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