band together

Headlines

Small islands band together

THE five smallest nations of the South Pacific have formed an organisation to unite them on matters ranging from fishing rights to the environment. The union was formed by leaders of Kiribati, Niue, Nauru, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands during meetings in Rarotonga.

“We are tired of being ignored,” Cook Islands Prime Minister Geoffrey Henry said.

The five nations have a combined population of 100,000 living on less than 1300 square kilometres of land, but they encompass 7.1 million square kilometres of ocean, about two-thirds the size of the United States. Tap Pryor, Cook Islands’ chief projects officer for the Ministry of

Planning and Economic Development,

said the five nations plan to negotiate fishing rights to their area, and will challenge shipping companies over access to shipping lanes passing through their exclusive economic zone. They also are concerned about fears that many atolls could disappear because of global cli mate changes caused by greenhouse gases produced by industrialised countries.

U.S. to stay THE United States has assured Pacific nations it will remain a military power in the region. President Bush said the US intends to maintain the appropriate military presence to protect its allies and counter any threats to peace.

Boat-people plan denied VANUATU has denied it is planning to accommodate thousands of Vietnamese

refugees now living in Hong Kong.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister, Serge Vohor, Prime Minister Maxime Carlot had not even considered the issue.

Return to Vanuatu SOME of the 3000 people deported from Vanuatu have started returning to the country. Radio Vanuatu says at least 20

French citizens deported after the pre independence Santo rebellion in 1980 are now back in Luganville. Vanuatu Foreign Affairs has confirmed that foreigners deported after the Santo rebellion have been told they are free to return.

Airline black-banned FIJI’S national airline, Air Pacific, stands to lose tens of thousands of dollars from a black ban slapped against it by Australian unions, in protest against Fiji’s labor laws. An Australian aviation source said that such a figure includes lost revenue and payments for hotels.

The Fiji Times says Air Pacific is to seek an injunction restraining the Transport Workers Union of Australia from dis rupting air services to Fiji, on the grounds it has breached the Australian Trade Practices Act.

Solomons set for Expo DESPITE strong opposition, the Sol omon Islands looks set to participate in the World Exposition in Spain from April 20 to October 12. The country’s opposition party say attending Expo ’92 is a waste of money, but the government argues that it give the Solomons great exposure and will be ofbenefit in the long run.

Pumpkin claims PUMPKIN exporters in Tonga are facing heavy claims from Japanese buyers because of undersized, dis coloured and rotten fruit, broken bins and a flooded market. The claims could result in payments to growers being below negotiated prices. A government delegation was recently in Japan to investigate the situation.

Prisoners released THE new government of Vanuatu released its entire prison population of almost 200 inmates on Christmas day in a general amnesty. At least one convicted murderer and several rapists are believed to be among the liberated. Home Affairs minister, Charley Nako, says the amnesty reflects the national reconciliation policy of Prime Minister Maxime Carlot’s newly elected government.

Surveillance call KIRIBATI has again raised concern over the increase in illegal fishing activities in its economic waters by international operators. They have ap proached Australia to speed up the patrol boat project, under which Kiribati can carry out its own surveillance work.

Visa-fees protest THE French South Pacific territories of Tahiti and New Caledonia protested to Paris last month against a decision to more than treble the cost of French visas, saying it would kill tourism from Austra lia. The Office for the Promotion of Tourism in Polynesia demanded that the increase be scrapped or at least reduced.

The charge for visas for French overseas

territories was increased from AS 17.47 toe A 561.82, more expensive than Fiji, Vanuatu, Bali or Hawaii.

Lottery for sports THE Cook Islands cabinet is considering* a submission prepared by the Crownlaw\ Office on the proposed introduction oft Tattersalls Lottery to fund sports devel opment in the country. A report has* estimated that people in the Cooks would! spend more than USSSOO,OOO a year om lotto and sport could receive about)

Uss 190,000.

Relations with Russia

KIRIBATI is monitoring developments*

in the former Soviet Union while con tinuing its relationship with the govern ment of the Russian Federation. Kiri bati’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says* since the collapse of the USSR, and the: emergence of the Russian Federation as* the successor state to the Soviet Union,, Kiribati has maintained its ties withi Russia on a de facto basis.

Woman senator KIMIKO Elanzo is the first worn am senator in Pohnpei’s legislature of 23. She; was elected to office last month for a four year term. Radio Pohnpei says it’s the: first time in the state’s history that aj woman has done this.

Positions vacant: hangman THE Papua New Guinea government is; looking abroad for a professional hang man to execute convicted criminals; sentenced to death. The hangman will be; employed on contract. National radio* NBC says contact has already been made; with countries currently imposing the; death penalty by hanging such as;

Malaysia.

Election postponed

FIJI’S general election has again beem postponed, this time until May. It was to* have been held in March but hold-ups hu

preparation, including computer hic

cups, have been blamed for the delay.

Fatal capsizing FRENCH Polynesian authorities have; started an investigation into the capsiz ing of a shuttle boat in the LeewardJ Islands in which at least seven people are; known to have died. Up to 45 people; were reported on board the converted! wooded fishing boat although regu lations only allow 25.

Tonga’s Marcos bid A BOOK by the aide to the late: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos; said the King of Tonga offered to shelter' the Marcos family, if Marcos helped! develop Tonga’s tourism industry. The: book, Malacenang to Makiki, be ex-colonel J Arturo Aruiza, says Marcos met with the: King after he and his family fled the; Philippines for Hawaii in 1986. Marcos* politely turned down the King’s offer. □