Bougainville peace

In Brief

Sir Michael returns

to Pangu Rati

PAPUA New Guinea’s former prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, has re turned to the Pangu Pati which he helped found well before independence in 1975. Sir Michael announced his return to the party on its 27th anniver sary last month.

Also rejoining Pangu Pati from the People’s Action Party (PAP) is the founding president of Pangu Pati, Moi Avei. The National says the return of Sir Michael, who is the shadow foreign affairs minister, while bolstering the numerical strength of the second largest party in parliament to 23 MPs, com pletely wipes out the PAP from the house.

The former deputy prime minister, Ted Diro, had formed PAP before the 1987 elections, drawing majority mem bership from southern region MPs. Sir Michael said he decided to return to Pangu Pati in order to help the oppo sition, led by Chris Haiveta, to provide a better alternative to the Winti-Chan government.

Bougainville peace

talks suspended

TALKS between Papua New Guinea officials and Bougainville secessionist rebels to end the six-year crisis on the island have been suspended. Nego tiations were planned for the end of last month in the Solomon Islands but did not eventuate.

The talks were to have followed up on the signing last month of an agreement between PNG officials and representa tives of the Bougainville rebel interim government. The agreement committed both sides to building a framework for discussion and a timetable for peace.

Manu Samoa rugby

players in trouble

THE stars of the Manu Samoa rugby team are in trouble with Samoan authorities following a bar room punch up and a close encounter between a pick up truck and a post office.

Winger Lolani Koko, the Western Samoan sevens captain and former Wellington winger, has been charged with assault following a night club brawl after last month’s Manu Samoa game

against Tonga. Meanwhile, fullback

Anitelea Aiolupo is to face a careless driving charge, after he drove his ute into Samoa’s main post office last month.

Ironically, the post office’s property manager is also Manu Samoa coach Peter Schuster. □

Sione moves out of

official residence

THE former governor-general of Tu valu, Toomu Malaefono Sione, has vacated his official residence following his sacking by government last month.

In making the announcement, prime minister Kamata Laatasi said Sione’s appointment was political as it was made shortly before the collapse of the Paeniu government late last year.

The new governor-general, Tulaga Manuella, was officially sworn in last month by Tuvalu’s chief minister, Sir Gavon Uonne. New Zealand-based Sir Gavon flew in for the occasion.

New date set for

Melanesian summit

SOLOMON Islands has set a new date for the Melanesian Spearhead summit conference. Leaders from Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanu atu with observers from Fiji and New Caledonia’s pro-independence FLNKS Jarty will meet on July 11, and not on uly 18 as earlier reported by Radio Australia.

Solomon Islands had earlier post poned the summit from early July to August to allow time to upgrade roads and hotels at Auki, on Malaita Island where the meeting is to be held.