Vanuatu takes on pressure

By Shailendra Singh

VANUATU Prime Minister, Maxime Carlot Korman’s government worked hard to make the Fourth South Pacific Mini Games become a reality. But it had little time to sit back and savour the moment.

Political opponents of Karlot and striking Vanuatu Public Service Associ ation made the Mini Games seem more like a nightmare than a dream come true.

Right from the opening day of the new 300 million vatu sports complex on December 6, life was made difficult for the ruling coalition. If the government thought the 600 million vatu sporting extravaganza was going to allow them some breathing space from the two crises which had been festering for some time, it was mistaken. In fact, the bullets came faster than ever when the Games opened.

The strikers, ignored by the government-owned Vanuatu Weekly news paper and Vanuatu radio pounced on the opportunity provided by hordes of journalists in Port Vila covering the games to highlight their grievances. They got both plenty of air time and news paper coverage. Two senior members of the government also resigned just days before the opening of the games, placing the coalition in a very vulnerable position against a no-confidence motion scheduled for later that week.

Some clever manoeuvring by Korman took care of the political crisis. Cecil Sinker, who had resigned as leader of government business just days ago was lured back into the coalition with the Posts and Telecom munications Ministerial portfolio. He re- B laced Onnyn Tahi who had resigned on lecember 4, the day Korman opened the new sports complex which is named Korman Stadium after him. It was built in just 18 months.

With a two seat majority in the 46-member parliament, government passed the 1994 budget. The no-confidence motion passed undebated as it didn’t have

the seven clear days notice required for it to be put to the floor. Just when government thought it could sit back, relax and enjoy the Games reports of poor conditions at the Games village started filtering in.

Embarrassing reports. Some teams moved out of the games village into hotels.

The Suva-based Fiji Times earned a report about problems with food in one container of water and scores of diarrhoea cases. Other media organisations picked up the cue. The VPSA strikers chimed in, saying the water works employees were on strike and the Port Vila water supply was risky for consumption. Bottled-water sales in Port Vila soared after this. Food also became a problem for athletes because of the strike with some containers held up at the wharf and a number of chefs designated to the games village kitchen not turning up.

The medical services in Port Vila were attacked by none other than Port Vila Central Hospital’s John Kalsakau who claimed vital services were being operated by untrained and retired staff. Kalsakau had been chairman of the games medical commission before he served notice to join the strikers. They are after a 16 per cent pay rise. Government, which gave itself a hefty pay rise recently, says it’s unaffordable.

The media’s free movement inside the games village was restricted. Team general managers stopped athletes from talking to the press on any matter except their events and that after permission had been granted from section managers, Despite the storm, the games rolled on.

Whatever problems there may been have been, the competition work went oh uninterrupted except for the usual protests against this team and that player which is a f ea ture of every SPG. Since independence in 1980 the Games was the biggest event in Vanuatu, sporting or otherwise, ~°„ . . , More than 1000 athletes, officials and government ministers from 15 nations were in Port Vila for the 10-day event which had six sports athletics, soccer, boxing, tennis, golf and netball. Perhaps the best thing about the games is that after it s all over, the people of Vanuatu will have modern, up-to-date sporting facilities which have been long in coming. Despite the flak it endured during the Games, Vanuatu has bid to host the 1998 South Pacific Games. This year s organising committee chairman, Joe Carlo said by then, all stages of the sports complex would be complete, including volleyball courts, basketball courts and a swimming pool. □

Yad Singh Island style: Nauruans in a colourful dance at the opening of the Games

Pictures: Yad Singh

FIJI: part of the contingent

Vanuatu: the host

Vanuatu PM Korman: on his way to open the Games

Solomons: on parade

Dancers: all part of the entertainment