Archives-January 1988

Aftermath of

the coups

“These are momentous times for Fiji” - Brigadier Rabuka announcing that a civilian government would take over from his council of ministers.

“Each person was beaten and made to sit in a pit filled with sewage while being questioned” - Fiji lawyer Muttu Krishna, alleging human rights abuses by the Royal Fiji Military Forces.

Paias Wingti: practical

visionary

WBL “I've tried to change our people’s thinking. I’ve let them see they N?Vhave good reason to be conabout themselves, to achieve for themselves and not depend on the Government to do everything for them.” This advocating of self-reliance dovetails with Mr Wingti’s masterplan to develop PNG’s rural sector and to create a viable agricultural base.

For him, the key to prosperity is agri cultural development. In PNG, 87 per cent of the people live in a rural area, many on arable land, but few have the knowledge or equipment to farm it.

The Government has allocated funds from the Budget and poured taxes imposed on foreign mining companies into an agricultural bank set up to lend to village people wishing to involve them selves in agriculture. “All we ask of the recipient is that he wants to work and shows that he is doing something for himself,” said the PM.

Kanaks

“incited revolution”

France’s public prosecutor ordered a judicial inquiry into speeches made in New Caledonia in November by two Kanak separatist leaders.

A statement from the prosecutor’s office described the speeches by Jean- Marie Tjibaou and Yeiwene Yeiwene as an incitement to commit offences.

Solomons PM

stirs media

Newspapers and broadcasting can

make or break South Pacific develop ment efforts, according to Solomon Islands PM Ezekiel Alebua. But, he says, media coverage of the region still leaves much to be desired.

“The freedom of the press should always carry with it the responsibility to inform, educate and entertain, but not to confront and confuse,” he said.

Kiribati airport hit

by vandals

Security measures at Kiribati’s Bonriki international airport have been threatened by acts of vandalism, accord ing to Secretary of Communications John Ikakeau.

“A large portion of the fence sur rounding the runway is missing,” he said.

“And a windsock has been cut to pieces.

The gaps in the fence would allow straying dogs and pigs to cross the run way at any time.”

Fiji soldier during the coup