FIJI GLOBAL COMMUNITY VOICES.

Fijians and their 'Vanua" Land: 'So Fiji's Regime Wants more Hold on Fijian Land??"

2012-01-31T11:34:00.001+12:00

Reflections:
How can Ratu Inoke be calling for a review when his bakyard is so in a mess. First up this regime has tried to gag up the very people that owns the land and make Government totally in control of land dealings.

A classic example is the Voice & Protest by the Chiefly people of Namosi. They simple have had enough dilly-dallying from this Fiji regime's cohorts and their deals for Bauxite Mining. What did the Namosi elders and people do? They basically told Fiji's current regime to pull their socks up?

Is this why Ratu Inoke is calling for a review. Perhaps its time to round up the Fijian Chiefs and landowning units to file a lawsuit against this current regime for delving and stuffing up their Indigenous Rights of self Determination.
Secretariat
Luvei Viti Think Tank

Call to review mining laws

Samisoni Nabilivalu

MINING should only be advanced if it does not compromise the sustainability of the environment, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola told representatives of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The group attended the inaugural Melanesian Spearhead Group Environment and Climate Change Ministers meeting and discussed environmental concerns in MSG terrestrial minerals development.

Ratu Inoke said there was a need to address pressing mining issues relating to capacity building, environmental management, mining waste disposal, and technical skills and equipment. Other issues he raised included land lease and access, social and cultural impacts, access to mineral data and information, value addition, infrastructure, and good governance and transparency.

Representatives were told of the need to review the relevant legislations pertaining to mining with a view to addressing all the key issues, particularly the environment implications even at the prospecting stage.

This, Ratu Inoke said, included laws being amended and being aligned to current laws on environment management and the need for clear and robust regulatory framework and policies to ensure proper compliance with high international standards.

He said MSG countries should also place emphasis on capacity building for mining and environment regulators to ensure proper compliance and the monitoring of mining activities
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6887620052409054934

Fiji: Suva Sin City Perhaps or Is it an Economic Spin?

2011-12-28T20:14:00.000+13:00

Snoqualmie Tribe considering $260 million Fiji casino partnership

By CAROL LADWIG

Snoqualmie Valley Record Staff Reporter

December 27, 2011 · 12:15 PM

For $1 million and some sharing of its expertise, the Snoqualmie Tribe could take part-ownership of a $290 million luxury resort and casino operation in Fiji.

The offer, from developer Larry Claunch's One Hundred Sands corporation, proposes a partnership with the tribe in developing a resort and casino on Denarau Island, on the west coast of Fiji, in early 2012, and possibly a second casino at Suva, on the southeast coast, to be built later.

It's an intriguing proposal, said Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson, for three reasons. One is that Claunch was recently awarded the country's first and only gambling license, giving him exclusive ownership of all gambling activities at the tourist destination.

"That steady stream of tourists presents a healthy market," Mattson said.

Also, "The tribe thinks it would be an excellent opportunity to assist and mentor another indigenous culture… as they get into operating a gaming facility in their country."

Finally, the timing was opportune. In July, Mattson said the tribal council had just finalized eight priorities for the coming year, and economic development through diversification was high on the list. Within a few months, Donald Sampson, executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, met with the Snoqualmie council to suggest the partnership with One Hundred Sands as an investment opportunity.

Having nurtured the Snoqualmie Casino through three years of economic recession since its opening in November, 2008, the tribe has valuable experience and expertise to share. The casino was not only the cheapest and biggest startup venture in tribal casinos in Washington, he said, but it also has never lost money.

"The tribe has never not paid its bills," Mattson said. Revenue from the casino has still not met the initial projections from the 2006 plans, and the tribe, banking on higher returns, was forced to eliminate its police force, and cut staff salaries by 20 percent, among other budget cuts in 2008 and 2009. However, by 2010, the casino had experienced 40 percent growth, and was taking market share from its competitors while overall gaming activity in the Puget Sound area has decreased. Further, it plans to start making per capita distributions of tribal profits to its membership in the coming year.

That experience alone could be extremely valuable to the Fiji casino, Mattson said. The tribe has also been asked for a $1 million investment, which he says "is very real money, but the risk-reward ratio seems reasonable.".......

Read more http://www.valleyrecord.com/news/136273828.html

Learn about the Snoqualmie Tribe at http://www.snoqualmienation.com/.

Contact Snoqualmie Valley Record Staff Reporter Carol Ladwig at cladwig@valleyrecord.com.

Fiji Refuses Entry to International Union Delegation

2011-12-19T08:26:00.000+13:00

INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION

ITUC OnLine

Fiji Refuses Entry to International Union Delegation

Brussels, 13 December 2011 (ITUC OnLine): The refusal by the Fiji authorities to allow an Australian and New Zealand trade union delegation to enter the country today shows that the country is "sliding deeper into dictatorship", according to ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

"The Fiji regime has maintained that it is open to outside scrutiny, but this denial of entry tells the opposite story. Try as the military authorities might, the spotlight will continue to shine on their violations of workers' rights and other basic freedoms. Todays' events will only increase pressure on the regime," said Burrow.

The delegation, led by ACTU Australia President Ged Kearney, was refused permission to enter the country on arrival at Nadi airport and deported without any access to consular assistance. Delegation members' mobile phones were confiscated until their departure. The New Zealand and Australian unions had planned to meet Prime Minister Bainimarama to seek a fresh dialogue on human and labour rights in Fiji, and had also planned to meet Fiji trade union counterparts, church leaders, and other civil society and business representatives.

The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 308 national affiliates.

Source:

Director: Bauu Institute and Press
http://www.bauuinstitute.com/

Call for Silence in the Pacific

2011-12-10T12:51:00.000+13:00

A CALL FOR SILENCE IN THE PACIFIC

The Pacific has been the scene of much important thinking. Recent Pacific publications present ideas that are not only relevant to Pacific societies, but have important implications for the other cultures around it. One of these is a project to recover the meaning of silence.

As Unaisi Nabobo-Baba argues in her book *Knowing and Learning: An indigenous Fijian approach *(Suva: IPS Publications, 2006), the silent child in a Western classroom is seen as a problem. By contrast in many traditional Pacific communities, silence is seen as a culturally appropriate mode of behaviour. Nabobo-Baba goes further and develops a taxonomy of silence, which includes 18 different ways of being quiet, including ?silence and the elements? and ?silence when in awe of custom?

(see here<http://www.southernperspectives.net/field/culture/a-taxonomy-of-silence>for
an extract of her book).

The cultural meaning of silence poses some challenging questions:

   - What is the positive expression of silence?
   - How can silence be reconciled with modern democracy?
   - What is the role of silence in modern Western countries like
   Australia?
   - How can silence speak?
   - What is the constructive role of silence in the classroom?
   - What are the creative dimensions of silence?

Would you be interested in being part of a further discussion about this issue? If you would like to be involved in the development of a colloquium on silence, you are invited to send in your details. This includes:

   - Name
   - Role
   - Area of interest
   - What you would like to contribute to this development

Contributions can include research, a specific perspective, a performance, a venue or a program context. Please send an email to silence@southernperspectives.net. Responses are due 21 January 2012. We will then follow up your interest and keep you in the loop about events where silence will be heard over the next two years.

Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, University of Guam http://www.uog.edu/ Kevin Murray, Southern Perspectives http://www.southernperspectives.net/

Relook: "How Frank Bainimarama's regime screwed up Fiji's Mahogany.." [Raw Fiji]

2011-12-06T15:18:00.002+13:00

Bula all,

We have decided to reblog Raw Fiji's brief on this article as we believe it is important to note what has transpired over time since this 2006 coup by Bainimarama.

Many readers have often commented on spelling mistakes and structure of blogs. On this note, we again emphasise that many of the writings are done under the scrutiny of the Fiji military regime under Bainimarama. This together with his group of supporters in Fiji and overseas do all possible to either hack or block bloggers like us that are vocal about the happenings in Fiji.

Our reason for opposing this regime is clear. We do not condone the ongoing Human Rights Abuse.
We do not condone the ongoing extension of Public Emergency Regulation under which this Fiji regime is able to run its governance. The list goes one to Indigenous People of Fiji being marginalised at the outset of the 2006 coup.
For instance, most of the beatings and those that lost their lives were Indigenous Fijians. Why?? We want answers!!

Please bear with us if the speelings or the structure of these blogs do not make sense to you. For some like us it does make alot of sense.

Secretariat

Luvei Viti Think Tank Forum.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Sent to you by fijian via Google Reader:

How Frank Bainimarama’s regime screwed up Fiji’s mahogany plantation returns

via Raw Fiji News by rawfijinews on 11/23/11

By real jack well the mahogany thing is not getting us that rate of return. its supposedly a billion dollar asset – but we are reading about mahogany trees being left to rot in the field and that sort of thing.

back in the 50′s/60′s when they planted those trees, those guys kept records of the varius plots – the point of keeping those records was because as the tree's grew you would be able quantify the yield by plot - and the forestry guys would be able to have the forest Rangers assess any variations on the ground (i.e account for new sprouting or damaged trees from weather variations etc etc etc) and they would be able to keep a database on those plots

those Rangers would have been checking the plots on a monthly basis and keeping records – we should have had records going back to when those trees were first planted.

and coming into the early 90′s we should have started tranferring all that information onto a digital interface connected into the broader digital land information system which Kamikamica and the late Tui Nayau were setting up

we would then be in a position to know EXACTLY HOW MUCH OF A YIELD WE HAD and EXACTLY HOW MUCH THEY WERE VALUED AT.

the quality of the trees would be known – and the value of each plot would be known based on the exact number of trees standing in each plot.

and the policy guys in Govt should have known what to do with the plantations – either we parcel them off into small lots and auction them internationally based on the yield value per plot and then sign up concession agreements for the guys who bought in OR go the Fiji Hardwood way which they went.

but either way we needed to know exactly what was in the field.

but we didn't.

there was no Transparency in what was going on and as a result we have squandered that so called billion dollar asset.

how much development have the people of Vugalei seen from those mahogany forests ? they have (or had) an estimated $50 million dollar forest standing in their lands over there - and how much of that $50 million have they actually seen ?

the Govt guys went and did things based on royalty – so guys come along and pick and choose which trees they want – and leave the rest of the trees they have chopped down to rot in the field – and so the full value of that plot is not realised – apart from the damage caused.

in other places in the world eg Germany they sell lots – guys have to auction for forest lots at market rates. they then purchase the concession to harvest those lots – and they go ahead and harvest for a limited concession period – the value of the concession is based on the value of the standing timber within the PLOT – and they are able to do that because they have a GIS and LIS system which is a database tied into that land information structures – they realise full value on their forests.

here we give concessions for a licence which is nowhere near the actual standing value of the trees – and then we hope that those guys go in a cut down trees and pay us royalties – but those guys go in and pick and choose – and the net result is we don't get full value on the yield per plot, bcause they only pay royalty on what they cut down and bring out

in one plot they take 25 trees and leave 50 trees to rot – and then in another they take 35 trees and leave 65 to rot – and so on and so forth.

and what do we get ? we get royalties for the 25 trees they cut in plot 1 and 35 trees they cut in plot 2 – and the remaining 115 trees are left rotting in the field.

so what was the point of our having planted all those 115 trees and nurtured that plantation ?

we end up with royalties return which don't reflect the actual value per plot in a 100 tree plot – we value each tree at $80,000 a tree – so we have a plot of 8000000 (eight million) dollars in value

the guy comes in and cuts out 65 trees – pays us 17.5% royalty on how much he has purchased it for from Fiji Hardwood (which is definitely not 8 million) and takes off – leaving the 35 trees rotting in the field that plot valued at 8 million dollars we have just flogged off for $900,000 to Fiji Hardwood for 65 trees plus 17.5% royalty to Forestry - 2 million or thereabouts give or take the damage done to the plot is complete – we can't use the remaining trees left to rot for anything other than secondary value the guys walks away with what he wants by picking and choosing. leaves the whole plot scavanged. what gives ? we give. hand over fist. and thats whats happening now. we are losing money lots of money.

that billion dollar mahogany asset is a myth – nowhere near it. we haven't retained any of its value – let alone structured deals to ensure that we recovered the full value of the plantation. we are making all these deals and having photo shoots – but the family silver is being flogged off for way below value whilst our economy descends into debt and sub par growth Things you can do from here:

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Yadua Village, Fiji: 200 people are suffering climate change induced rising sea levels

2011-12-04T12:46:00.009+13:00

Yadua Village, Fiji: 200 people are suffering climate change induced rising sea levels

http://www.csd-i.org/csdi-blog/2011/11/28/yadua-village-fiji-200-people-are-suffering-climate-change-i.html

Peter

Ro Temumu Kepa: [A Paramount Fijian Chief] has human integrity and high moral values Fiji need today

2011-11-21T14:37:00.005+13:00

Ro Temumu Kepa has human integrity and high moral values Fiji need today

via Raw Fiji News by rawfijinews on 11/18/11

By Wame Toloi

In any society, integrity plays an important part in all aspects of human development – business, economic, intellectual, political and artistic. A society thrives and impacts lives when those living in it understand its full implications. Through interaction with others, integrity has the power to shape not only the lives and destinies of people living in it, but also the lives and destinies of their fellowmen.

As society comprises of people coming from different walks of life, Ro Teimumu Kepa's integrity can considerably impact the entire Rewans or Vanua of Burebasaga or even Fijians all over. Under no circumstances can we underestimate the importance of human integrity and high moral fiber as shown by the Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi in her speech. She has gained my respect a thousandfold and makes me want to become a Kai Rewa.

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Extractive industries & Human Development in the Pacific: Why is it that Fijian Indigenous Voice or Concerns are Missing from this Discussion??

2011-11-12T18:14:00.006+13:00

Bula all,

Thanks P. for heads up on the article below. It is obvious that there are people in Fiji and in the Pacific that really wants to blur that line when it comes to Indigenous Issues whether its to do woth Fijians in Fiji or other Indigen population within the Pacific rim.

Is it utter arraogance on some part or some elements within our Fiji society as well as those in the Pacific Islands? Your guess is as good as ours.

The articles below is adequate to show how some wannabes or academias or those that have knowledge of sort trying to spearhead their way through minus the important contribution by the Indigenous people. Call it waht you may but as for us monitoring: this is indeed the height of arrogance.

Read and make up your own minds.
Luvei Viti Think Tank forum.
Secretariat.
----------------------------

@indigenouspeoplesissues.com
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 16:45:50 -0700
Subject: FW: [pse-dec] DISCUSSION: Extractive industries and human
development in the Pacific. Reply by 24 November 2011

This might be of interest. You can contribute to the "conversation" (which I am not familiar how it works) by sending in comments to pse-dec@solutionexchange-un.net.

They seem to not be including any indigenous voices or concerns in the conversation.

Cheers,

From: Gisa Fuatai Purcell [mailto:fuatai.purcell@itu.int]
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 11:00 PM
To: pse-dec@solutionexchange-un.net
Subject: Re: [pse-dec] DISCUSSION: Extractive industries and human
development in the Pacific. Reply by 24 November 2011

Moderator's Note: Please see below for a contribution from Gisa Fuatai Purcell, asking how Pacific Island Countries can effectively manage extractive industry revenues to best work in the interests of human development and reducing aid dependency. Please keep your comments coming in. The discussion closes on 24 November 2011.

The effective management of extractive industries will contribute to improving human development but to contribute to ending aid dependency in the Pacific the answer may be to look at issues that need to be addressed and legislation that may need to be introduced before we can evaluate if the extractive industries can contribute to ending aid dependency:

1. It depends on the government of the day and legislation that it puts in place to ensure a large percentage of the income from extractive industry can be invested wisely and/or how the income can be distributed to local development.
2. While there will be many people that will have jobs, usually international organizations working these industries will not be allowed to pay more than the minimum wage.
3. Unless there is a strategy to select at least one person from each family to work in these industries, the income might not be evenly distributed to the local people thereby contributing to the economy of the country.
4. There are smaller countries with limited land where large buildings could be built to process whatever the extractive industries would be e.g. Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue etc. unless of course they can be built on the sea.
5. Unless there is land reform, land leases could take years to come to
In agreement because traditional land makes up 80% of most Pacific
countries. While there may be chiefs that will agree there are many branches
in each family title entitled to traditional land - even people living
overseas have a right to the said piece of traditional land. Government land
of course can be used but most countries do not have much state land
6. There are only 3 countries in the Pacific who currently earn from extractive industries - PNG, Fiji and Solomon Islands, may be Vanuatu.

If each country considers the above and develops a good and robust macro-economic policy, then there is hope that extractive industries can contribute a great deal to ending aid dependency!

On the other hand, aid dependency might continue because sometimes, when international organizations don't spend their allocation for a certain period, then they go to the countries and wave the greenback extracting 75% of the aid money out of the countries through consulting. Also, when there are experts in the countries, some organizations have the attitude that
expatriates are the best when the local experts know their country well and know how the system works and the impact of each action when local traditions, culture and values are not respected.

To ensure extractive industries work, both external and local experts need to work together and be given equal compensation rather than continuing the international expert rate at a much higher per centage than the local expert. If at the end of the day, only a small percentage of the income stays in the Pacific, how can Pacific countries become independent from aid
dependency?

My two pennies worth!

Mrs. Gisa Fuatai Purcell

International Telecommunication Union

Suva, Fiji

Moderator's Note: Dear members, could the effective management of extractive industries contribute to improving human development as well as overcoming aid dependency in the Pacific? Let us know by replying to this email by 24
November 2011.

The exploitation of natural resources like oil, gas and minerals has had booms and busts in the Pacific with little apparent impact for human development. As public attention turns towards expanded use of the Pacific's Resource endowment, including seabed mining, how might extractive industries contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction in the region?

For governments, these industries present the opportunity to diversify economies, increase domestic resource mobilization and improve the lives of citizens. But, natural resource wealth, if not managed properly, can be also associated with the "resource curse" of economic decline, political instability, exploding inequalities and domestic conflict.

The United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Report 2011:
Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All, stresses that "human development, which is about expanding people's choices, builds on shared natural resources." Just last month, an international conference on Avoiding the Resource Curse: Managing Extractive Industries for Human Development in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ( <http://www.undp.mn/mining> www.undp.mn/mining), examined relevant experiences from various countries.

As conference attendees from the Pacific return to the region, we would like to ask members of the Pacific Solution Exchange if you can share with us examples of how extractive industries have enhanced - or undermined - human development in the Pacific?

Could you:

. Share specific policy and institutional measures that have worked to promote the transparent and sustainable management of extractive industries? What factors have been central to these successes? What has not worked?

. Provide us with examples of policies or agreements with investors that have improved - or worsened - the wellbeing of local communities?

. Could there be an inclusive and transparent "Pacific way" of building partnerships between governments, industry players, non-state actors and local communities to enable sustainable mining towards better human development outcomes? Do let us know.

Warm regards,

Facilitation Team, Pacific Solution Exchange

Suva, Fiji

Fiji Union Leader Arrested After Commonwealth Meeting - ITUC OnLine

2011-11-01T12:06:00.005+13:00

INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION

ITUC OnLine

Fiji Union Leader Arrested After Commonwealth Meeting

Brussels, 31 October 2011 (ITUC OnLine):

The ITUC strongly condemns the arrest and detention, without charge, of Daniel Urai, President of the Fiji Trade Union Council. Mr. Urai was arrested at the airport upon his return from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, where he spoke out against human and trade union rights abuses perpetrated by the Fijian government. Both Mr. Urai and Dinesh Goundar, a labour organizer, also must appear at hearing on October 31 on charges stemming from a previous arrest.

The two were charged under state security law simply for having held a union meeting to prepare members for collective bargaining. Since their initial arrest, other union meetings have been broken up by police, and even social meetings of trade unionists have led to hours-long interrogations by police.

The ITUC is also concerned that trade unions will shortly be forced to re-register under onerous new rules and collective bargaining agreements will be abrogated under the recently passed Essential Industries Decree. These measures strike a severe blow to workers' rights in many economic sectors in Fiji and violate international labour law. There is little doubt that the re-registration process will be used to attempt to depose current trade union leaders and weaken the capacity of unions to represent their members.

The ITUC deplores the ongoing harassment of trade unionists Fiji and calls upon the authorities to release Mr. Urai immediately and to drop all charges against him and Mr. Goundar. The international community must press the regime to come into compliance with fundamental human and trade union rights and, if it does not, implement political and economic measures to bring about much-needed reforms.

Source: Indigenous People's Issues

Sustainable Development

2011-10-31T11:39:00.003+13:00

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Fwd: Top NZ lawyer criticises Fiji's suppression

2011-09-17T13:53:00.002+12:00

Sent to you by fijian-kiwigal via Google Reader:

Top NZ lawyer criticises Fiji's suppression

via discombobulated bubu by discombobulated on 14/09/11

MICHAEL FIELD

14/09/2011

STAY AWAY: Law Society president Jonathan Temm has warned New Zealanders to seriously consider whether they ever visit Fiji under its current regime.

Fiji is a totalitarian regime and New Zealanders need to seriously consider whether they go there, Law Society president Jonathan Temm says.

"People need to know that when they travel to Fiji it is not about sun and sand," he said in an interview.

"There is an overt current which says you are not going to get the same rights and privileges that you thought you might; this country is under military rule."

His comment came as the United Nation's International Labour Organisation (ILO) condemned an anti-trade union military decree imposed Monday on 11 companies including Air Pacific and trading banks.

The Law Society says it is concerned at Fiji's direction.

"This is not a steady progression back to democracy; this is the entrenching of a small cabal of unelected people who are really operating now in complete totalitarianism," Temm said.

The Rotorua barrister said four foreigners, including two New Zealanders, had recently died in unexplained circumstances in Fiji's tourist belt.

"There is a certain degree of lawlessness in Fiji….

"There is no transparency about what happens around these things. There is secrecy by the Fiji regime, the regime tries to keep these suppressed."

New Zealanders need to know rights and freedoms are severely restricted. This includes things like being able to attend a Methodist Church on any day other than Sunday.

"What the regime has done is that the have crushed out the media, then they have crushed out the legal profession, then they did the church and you know they have done it in education, because they have kicked out professors of the University of the South Pacific."

The Fiji Law Society had been closed, its offices destroyed in an arson attack and the regime now controlled all lawyers.
New Zealanders had no rights in Fiji.

"If you behave in the way you do at home, you'll find yourself down at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in the same way as others ... and it is not pleasant," Temm said.

Fiji has been under military rule since Voreqe Bainimarama staged a democracy ending coup in 2006.

On Monday, the regime's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum pushed through Essential Industries (Employment) Decree which
ILO director general Juan Somavia described as a denial of fundamental rights.

"By going ahead with this decree the government has demonstrated the same lack of concern for the views of the international community as it has for the rights and aspirations of its own people," Somavia said.

"It was essential Fiji change course now. That means reversing this and other restrictive labour decrees, a return to dialogue with trade unions and employers, an end to assaults on and harassment of trade unionists, and the immediate restoration of basic civil liberties."

The ILO last month sent a mission to Fiji warning the decree had "negative implications" for Fiji's international obligations under ratified ILO Conventions.

The (illegal) decree ends union rights for employees of :

Air Pacific

ANZ

Bank of Baroda

Bank South Pacific

Westpac and,

Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority

Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd

Telecom Fiji Ltd

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation

Fiji Electricity Authority and,

Water Authority of Fiji

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Why is Fiji's Dictator Voreqe Bainimarama trying to Use Indigenous Issues as His Platform??

2011-09-05T18:17:00.003+12:00

Indigenous Peoples Issues

FYI… Do you know anything about this?

Special Leaders' Summit Communique

15:53 September 3, 2011Pacific Press Releases 0 comments

Press Release – Melanesian Spearhead Group

1. The Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), in consultation with other MSG Leaders, agreed to convene a Special Meeting of the MSG Leaders at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji on 02 September 2011. 2. The Special Meeting was …SPECIAL LEADERS' SUMMIT
Tanoa International Hotel
Nadi, Fiji

02 September 2011
COMMUNIQUE
-------------------------------------------------------

Planned Fiji Protest March - 02 September 2011 in Wellington

2011-08-30T17:35:00.004+12:00

Vinaka vakalevu sara Mike na vakasavu itukutku ena Matavuvale.com me
baleta na maji ena Varaubuka qo.

Invitation to Fiji Protest 2nd September

You are invited to join a protest by unions and Amnesty International on
2nd September. Please come and join us.

When: 12.30 to 1.30 pm on Friday, 2nd September, 2011

Where: High Commission of the Republic of the Fiji Islands
31 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wellington

Speaker: Helen Kelly, President, NZCTU

For more details contact Georgie on georginam@nzctu.org.nz

Regards

Peter Conway
Secretary
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions - Te Kauae Kaimahi
P O Box 6645
Wellington
+64 4 8023816
mobile 0274 939 748

peterc@nzctu.org.nz
http://www.union.org.nz/

____________________________________________________________
Mr Sai Lealea
Interim President - Wellington Fiji Democracy & Freedom Movement
A: 5 Rahui Street Strathmore Wellington 6022 NEW ZEALAND
Mob: +64 27 2490 472 E: sai.lealea@gmail.com

Fiji's Dictator and Followers irrational, unbalanced and voilent

2011-08-30T14:58:00.005+12:00

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Fiji's Dictator and Followers irrational, unbalanced and voilent

via discombobulated bubu by discombobulated on 27/08/11

US cables show Bainimarama beat opponents

BY PHILIP DORLING

27 Aug, 2011 12:00 AM

FIJI'S military strongman Commodore Frank Bainimarama is irrational, unbalanced and violent, and directly took part in the human rights abuses that followed his December 2006 coup, according to leaked United States diplomatic reports.

Secret US embassy cables leaked to WikiLeaks, and provided exclusively to Fairfax, allege beatings and intimidation of the military regime's suspected opponents took place with the full knowledge of senior Fijian military commanders and included the direct participation of Commodore Bainimarama, now Fiji's interim prime minister.

One embassy report records witness testimony that Commodore Bainimarama joined in an assault on a senior public servant detained at the Fijian military's headquarters in December 2006, when the commodore ''kicked [the man's] legs out from under him and beat him around the head, telling him, 'Don't f--- with the military'.''

Although Commodore Bainimarama publicly deplored violence by Fijian soldiers following his coup and said he would ensure any excesses ceased, the US embassy reported to Washington he told European Union diplomats that if anyone insulted the Fijian military ''of course we must have them taken to the barracks and have them beaten up''.

The leaked US cables record that both before and after Commodore Bainimarama overthrew prime minister Laisenia Qarase's democratically elected government, American diplomats found the Fijian military chief ''erratic'', ''irrational'' and ''wildly excessive'' in his reactions to criticism.

In one cable sent to Washington shortly before the December 2006 coup, US ambassador Larry Dinger observed that ''a psychiatrist would have a field day with Bainimarama''.

In other reports, the commodore's propensity for ''sabre-rattling'' and threats of violence, including against foreign diplomats, caused the US embassy in Suva to ''wonder more than ever about the rationality of [Bainimarama's] judgment''.

The leaked US diplomatic cables contain numerous reports of human rights abuses following the military takeover, including the arbitrary detention of human rights activists, senior police and civil servants, trade unionists, lawyers and journalists.

Pictured above : Fiji Regime's current mouthpiece by the name of Mosese Tikoitonga threatening innocent Fijians with military paranoia. For non-Fijian speakers, the graffiti on the wall behind him tells us that the man is a great pretender, boasting to be champion of the people, but when he is really challenged it will be obvious to all that his rhetoric is weak & without substance, and he will be backing off as he is on weak moral and ethical ground.

Human rights abuses documented in the cables include beatings, torture and death threats ''with a pistol to the head''.

One senior police officer detained by the military at Suva's Queen Victoria Barracks described how he saw ''several ambulances depart the camp transporting people beaten by military interrogators''.

Other cases reported by the US embassy included deaths in military custody with one victim's body - ''marked by visible bruises'' - dumped by soldiers at a police station. In another case a group of villagers, including a senior police officer, was ''subjected ... to beatings over a three-hour period''.

The US embassy reports also document cases of rape and sexual assault by Fijian military personnel, including at least one instance of a group of detainees forced to engage in group sexual acts. In another case a prominent female human rights activist was ''felt up'' by a senior military officer and was ''warned she would receive worse treatment unless she stopped her activities''.

In discussing the interim prime minister's motivations, US diplomats highlighted underlying insecurity in Commodore Bainimarama's personality.

The US embassy reports quote a former senior Fijian military officer and close colleague of Commodore Bainimarama, together with then chief of the Fiji Police former Australian Federal Police officer Andrew Hughes, as suggesting Commodore Bainimarama suffered from post-traumatic stress arising from the Fijian army mutiny of November 2000.

Although the US embassy in Suva has reported that Commodore Bainimarama has been ''feeling the strain of governing a country that doesn't salute like an army,'' the leaked cables leave little doubt about the Fijian military's determination to only relinquish power on its terms and to never allow its democratic opponents to regain power.

New elections, originally promised by Commodore Bainimarama within two years of the December 2006 coup, are now nominally scheduled for September 2014.

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EU remains silent on lapsed 6-month sanction extension from Sept 2010

2011-08-22T12:20:00.004+12:00

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EU remains silent on lapsed 6-month sanction extension from Sept 2010

via Intelligentsiya by Keep The Faith on 17/08/11

The European Union, once a staunch supporter of Fiji's return to civilian democracy that even went out of its to with-hold valuable aid in a carrot and stick approach, now appears to be softening their position after the 6-month sanction triggered in September 2010 has lapsed without so much as a feeble whimper -- a total about-turn to previous statements of compelling demands.

The EU however takes our fish (and possibly ginger most recently in Fiji) through selective trade agreements with resource rich Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and signals a feeble reversal of the EU's policy even as their "South Pacific" presence continues to raise the ire of EU taxpayers.

The EU is also believed to be funding the spanking new NGO of the illegal and treasonous Nazhat Shameem, that props up the regime by way of "training".

Questions must be asked of the EU's hypocritical pussy-footing on values such as the rule of law and democracy that the EU claims to be a major beacon of.

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Another Son of Fiji and the Pacific takes a hit for Fiji's Freedom

2011-08-22T12:15:00.002+12:00

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Another Son of Fiji and the Pacific takes a hit for Fiji's Freedom

via Intelligentsiya by Keep The Faith on 18/08/11

Fellow blog C4.5 has broken very disheartening news that Professor Wadan Narsey, an upstanding and unwavering advocate for Fiji's Freedom drawing on the illegal and treasonous military regime's flawed and inept economic policies as evidence, has most probably been unjustly culled from his position at the University of the South Pacific (USP) by the regime via a key coup stooge, the Vice Chancellor Rajesh Chandra.

Prof Rajesh Chandra has more or less paved the way for more his friends within USP Labour mafia circles such as Dr Ganesh Chand to set up a rival university in this country and has had an extremely jumpy academic career running back and forth between institutions of higher education in what can only be explained as an ambitious need to stay on top.

Intelligentsiya knew way back in February 2009, that the regime would use the regionally owned institution, the University of the South Pacific, as a whipping boy for regional retaliation.

This time around however Prof Chandra and Khaiyum have grossly misread the extent of their "powers".

For starters, Prof Narsey's extensive teaching career has tutored and earned him the respect of hordes of Pacific Islanders in positions of power today in their various home countries and even all over the globe.

But more importantly once word on Prof Narsey's injustice becomes validated, the University of the South Pacific's (which is a CROP Agency of the Pacific and owned by 12 independent and sovereign Pacific Island Countries and boasts a governing charter that is royally endorsed), University Council comprising high-level regional member countries might need to assess whether a breach of the USP Council's code of conduct and its statutes has occurred.

Equally compelling is the possibility that "academic freedom" within the region's so-called premier institution that had bred next generations of Pacific leaders, could be escalated upwards for the highest level of Pacific political power who meet in New Zealand next month, to deal with. They are already are very aware of how bad our situation remains, 5 years on.

Speaking of New Zealand, the Fiji team is still trying their luck to get a military officer into Aoetearoa for the rugby world cup. As the Fiji team officials are either deaf, blind or stupid, they might like to get the hint via Gandalf.

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The Spirit of Revolt, 1880

2011-08-20T11:35:00.004+12:00

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The Spirit of Revolt, 1880

via Intelligentsiya by Keep The Faith on 18/08/11

Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921)

There are periods in the life of human society when revolution becomes an imperative necessity, when it proclaims itself as inevitable. New ideas germinate everywhere, seeking to force their way into the light, to find an application in life; everywhere they are opposed by the inertia of those whose interest it is to maintain the old order; they suffocate in the stifling atmosphere of prejudice and traditions. The accepted ideas of the constitution of the State, of the laws of social equilibrium, of the political and economic interrelations of citizens, can hold out no longer against the implacable criticism which is daily undermining them whenever occasion arises,--in drawing room as in cabaret, in the writings of philosophers as in daily conversation. Political, economic, and social institutions are crumbling; the social structure, having become uninhabitable, is hindering, even preventing the development of the seeds which are being propagated within its damaged walls and being brought forth around them.

The need for a new life becomes apparent. The code of established morality, that which governs the greater number of people in their daily life, no longer seems sufficient. What formerly seemed just is now felt to be a crying injustice. The morality of yesterday is today recognized as revolting immorality. The conflict between new ideas and old traditions flames up in every class of society, in every possible environment, in the very bosom of the family. The son struggles against his father, he finds revolting what his father has all his life found natural; the daughter rebels against the principles which her mother has handed down to her as the result of long experience. Daily, the popular conscience rises up against the scandals which breed amidst the privileged and the leisured, against the crimes committed in the name of the law of the stronger, or in order to maintain these privileges. Those who long for the triumph of justice, those who would put new ideas into practice, are soon forced to recognize that the realization of their generous, humanitarian and regenerating ideas cannot take place in a society thus constituted; they perceive the necessity of a revolutionary whirlwind which will sweep away all this rottenness, revive sluggish hearts with its breath, and bring to mankind that spirit of devotion, self-denial, and heroism, without which society sinks through degradation and vileness into complete disintegration.

In periods of frenzied haste toward wealth, of feverish speculation and of crisis, of the sudden downfall of great industries and the ephemeral expansion of other branches of production, of scandalous fortunes amassed in a few years and dissipated as quickly, it becomes evident that the economic institutions which control production and exchange are far from giving to society the prosperity which they are supposed to guarantee; they produce precisely the opposite result. Instead of order they bring forth chaos; instead of prosperity, poverty and insecurity; instead of reconciled interests, war; a perpetual war of the exploiter against the worker, of exploiters and of workers among themselves. Human society is seen to be splitting more and more into two hostile camps, and at the same time to be subdividing into thousands of small groups waging merciless war against each other. Weary of these wars, weary of the miseries which they cause, society rushes to seek a new organization; it clamors loudly for a complete remodeling of the system of property ownership, of production, of exchange and all economic relations which spring from it.

The machinery of government, entrusted with the maintenance of the existing order, continues to function, but at every turn of its deteriorated gears it slips and stops. Its working becomes more and more difficult, and the dissatisfaction caused by its defects grows continuously. Every day gives rise to a new demand. "Reform this," "reform that," is heard from all sides. "War, finance, taxes, courts. police, everything must be remodeled, reorganized, established on a new basis," say the reformers. And vet all know that it is impossible to make things over, to remodel anything at all because everything is interrelated; everything would have to be remade at once; and how can society be remodeled when it is divided into two openly hostile camps? To satisfy the discontented would be only to create new malcontents.

Incapable of undertaking reforms, since this would mean paving the way for revolution, and at the same time too impotent to be frankly reactionary, the governing bodies apply themselves to half measures which can satisfy nobody, and only cause new dissatisfaction. The mediocrities who, in such transition periods, undertake to steer the ship of State, think of but one thing: to enrich then.selves against the coming débâcle. Attacked from all sides they defend themselves awkwardly, they evade, they commit blunder upon blunder, and they soon succeed in cutting the last rope of salvation; they drown the prestige of the government in ridicule, caused by their own incapacity.

Such periods demand revolution. It becomes a social necessity; the situation itself is revolutionary.

When we study in the works of our greatest historians the genesis and development of vast revolutionary convulsions, we generally find under the heading, "The Cause of the Revolution," a gripping picture of the situation on the eve of events. The misery of the people, the general insecurity, the vexatious measures of the government, the odious scandals laying bare the immense vices of society, the new ideas struggling to come to the surface and repulsed by the incapacity of the supporters of the former régime,-- nothing is omitted. Examining this picture, one arrives at the conviction that the revolution was indeed inevitable, and that there was no other way out than by the road of insurrection.

Take, for example, the situation before 1789 as the historians picture it. You can almost hear the peasant complaining of the salt tax, of the tithe, of the feudal payments, and vowing in his heart an implacable hatred towards the feudal baron, the monk, the monopolist, the bailiff. You can almost see the citizen bewailing the loss of his municipal liberties, and showering maledictions upon the king. The people censure the queen; they are revolted by the reports of ministerial action, and they cry out continually that the taxes are intolerable and revenue payments exorbitant, that crops are bad and winters hard, that provisions are too dear and the monopolists too grasping, that the village lawyer devours the peasant's crops and the village constable tries to play the role of a petty king, that even the mail service is badly organized and the employees too lazy. In short, nothing works well, everybody complains. "It can last no longer, it will come to a bad end," they cry everywhere.

But, between this pacific arguing and insurrection or revolt, there is a wide abyss,--that abyss which, for the greatest part of humanity, lies between reasoning and action, thought and will,--the urge to act. How has this abyss been bridged? How is it that men who only yesterday were complaining quietly of their lot as they smoked their pipes, and the next moment were humbly saluting the local guard and gendarme whom they had just been abusing,--how is it that these same men a few days later were capable of seizing their scythes and their iron-shod pikes and attacking in his castle the lord who only yesterday was so formidable? By what miracle were these men, whose wives justly called them cowards, transformed in a day into heroes, marching through bullets and cannon balls to the conquest of their rights? How was it that words, so often spoken and lost in the air like the empty chiming of bells, were changed into actions?

The answer is easy.

Action, the continuous action, ceaselessly renewed, of minorities brings about this transformation. Courage, devotion, the spirit of sacrifice, are as contagious as cowardice, submission, and panic.

What forms will this action take? All forms,--indeed, the most varied forms, dictated by circumstances, temperament, and the means at disposal. Sometimes tragic, sometimes humorous, but always daring; sometimes collective, sometimes purely individual, this policy of action will neglect none of the means at hand, no event of public life, in order to keep the spirit alive, to propagate and find expression for dissatisfaction, to excite hatred against exploiters, to ridicule the government and expose its weakness, and above all and always, by actual example, to awaken courage and fan the spirit of revolt.

When a revolutionary situation arises in a country, before the spirit of revolt is sufficiently awakened in the masses to express itself in violent demonstrations in the streets or by rebellions and uprisings, it is through action that minorities succeed in awakening that feeling of independence and that spirit of audacity without which no revolution can come to a head.

Men of courage, not satisfied with words, but ever searching for the means to transform them into action,--men of integrity for whom the act is one with the idea, for whom prison, exile, and death are preferable to a life contrary to their principles,--intrepid souls who know that it is necessary to dare in order to succeed,-- these are the lonely sentinels who enter the battle long before the masses are sufficiently roused to raise openly the banner of insurrection and to march, arms in hand, to the conquest of their rights.

In the midst of discontent, talk, theoretical discussions, an individual or collective act of revolt supervenes, symbolizing the dominant aspirations. It is possible that at the beginning the masses will remain indifferent. It is possible that while admiring the courage of the individual or the group which takes the initiative, the masses will at first follow those who are prudent and cautious, who will immediately describe this act as "insanity" and say that "those madmen, those fanatics will endanger everything."

They have calculated so well, those prudent and cautious men, that their party, slowly pursuing its work would, in a hundred years, two hundred years, three hundred years perhaps, succeed in conquering the whole world,--and now the unexpected intrudes! The unexpected, of course, is whatever has not been expected by them,--those prudent and cautious ones! Whoever has a slight knowledge of history and a fairly clear head knows perfectly well from the beginning that theoretical propaganda for revolution will necessarily express itself in action long before the theoreticians have decided that the moment to act has come. Nevertheless, the cautious theoreticians are angry at these madmen, they excommunicate them, they anathematize them. But the madmen win sympathy, the mass of the people secretly applaud their courage, and they find imitators. In proportion as the pioneers go to fill the jails and the penal colonies, others continue their work; acts of illegal protest, of revolt, of vengeance, multiply.

Indifference from this point on is impossible. Those who at the beginning never so much as asked what the "madmen" wanted, are compelled to think about them, to discuss their ideas, to take sides for or against. By actions which compel general attention, the new idea seeps into people's minds and wins converts. One such act may, in a few days, make more propaganda than thousands of pamphlets.

Above all, it awakens the spirit of revolt: it breeds daring. The old order, supported by the police, the magistrates, the gendarmes and the soldiers, appeared unshakable, like the old fortress of the Bastille, which also appeared impregnable to the eyes of the unarmed people gathered beneath its high walls equipped with loaded cannon. But soon it became apparent that the established order has not the force one had supposed. One courageous act has sufficed to upset in a few days the entire governmental machinery, to make the colossus tremble; another revolt has stirred a whole province into turmoil, and the army, till now always so imposing, has retreated before a handful of peasants armed with sticks and stones. The people observe that the monster is not so terrible as they thought they begin dimly to perceive that a few energetic efforts will be sufficient to throw it down. Hope is born in their hearts, and let us remember that if exasperation often drives men to revolt, it is always hope, the hope of victory, which makes revolutions.

The government resists; it is savage in its repressions. But, though formerly persecution killed the energy of the oppressed, now, in periods of excitement, it produces the opposite result. It provokes new acts of revolt, individual and collective, it drives the rebels to heroism; and in rapid succession these acts spread, become general, develop. The revolutionary party is strengthened by elements which up to this time were hostile or indifferent to it. The general disintegration penetrates into the government, the ruling classes, the privileged; some of them advocate resistance to the limit; others are in favor of concessions; others, again, go so far as to declare themselves ready to renounce their privileges for the moment, in order to appease the spirit of revolt, hoping to dominate again later on. The unity of the government and the privileged class is broken.

The ruling classes may also try to find safety in savage reaction. But it is now too late; the battle only becomes more bitter, more terrible, and the revolution which is looming will only be more bloody. On the other hand, the smallest concession of the governing classes, since it comes too late, since it has been snatched in struggle, only awakes the revolutionary spirit still more. The common people, who formerly would have been satisfied with the smallest concession, observe now that the enemy is wavering; they foresee victory, they feel their courage growing, and the same men who were formerly crushed by misery and were content to sigh in secret, now lift their heads and march proudly to the conquest of a better future.

Finally the revolution breaks out, the more terrible as the preceding struggles were bitter.

The direction which the revolution will take depends, no doubt, upon the sum total of the various circumstances that determine the coming of the cataclysm. But it can be predicted in advance, according to the vigor of revolutionary action displayed in the preparatory period by the different progressive parties.

One party may have developed more clearly the theories which it defines and the program which it desires to realize; it may have made propaganda actively, by speech and in print. But it may not have sufficiently expressed its aspirations in the open, on the street, by actions which embody the thought it represents; it has done little, or it has done nothing against those who are its principal enemies; it has not attacked the institutions which it wants to demolish; its strength has been in theory, not in action; it has contributed little to awaken the spirit of revolt, or it has neglected to direct that spirit against conditions which it particularly desires to attack at the time of the revolution. As a result, this party is less known; its aspirations have not been daily and continuously affirmed by actions, the glamor of which could reach even the remotest hut; they have not sufficiently penetrated into the consciousness of the people; they have not identified themselves with the crowd and the street; they have never found simple expression in a popular slogan.

The most active writers of such a party are known by their readers as thinkers of great merit, but they have neither the reputation nor the capacities of men of action; and on the day when the mobs pour through the streets they will prefer to follow the advice of those who have less precise theoretical ideas and not such great aspirations, but whom they know better because they have seen them act.

The party which has made most revolutionary propaganda and which has shown most spirit and daring will be listened to on the day when it is necessary to act, to march in front in order to realize the revolution. But that party which has not had the daring to affirm itself by revolutionary acts in the preparatory periods nor had a driving force strong enough to inspire men and groups to the sentiment of abnegation, to the irresistible desire to put their ideas into practice,--(if this desire had existed it would have expressed itself in action long before the mass of the people had joined the revolt)--and which did not know how to make its flag popular and its aspirations tangible and comprehensive,--that party will have only a small chance of realizing even the least part of its program. It will be pushed aside by the parties of action.

These things we learn from the history of the periods which precede great revolutions. The revolutionary bourgeoisie understood this perfectly,--it neglected no means of agitation to awaken the spirit of revolt when it tried to demolish the monarchical order. The French peasant of the eighteenth century understood it instinctively when it was a question of abolishing feudal rights; and the International acted in accordance with the same principles when it tried to awaken the spirit of revolt among the workers of the cities and to direct it against the natural enemy of the wage earner--the monopolizer of the means of production and of raw materials.

Notes on translation and transcription
This article first appeared in Le Révolté in 1880. English translations appeared in Commonweal, 1892 and Kropotkin's Revolutionary Pamphlets, 1927. The postscript version was OCR'd by lamontg@u.washington.edu from The Essential Kropotkin, 1975 which was based on the aforementioned 1927 translation.

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Fowl Clown decrees crumbs for Fiji investments

2011-08-08T19:59:00.002+12:00

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Fowl Clown decrees crumbs for Fiji investments

via discombobulated bubu by discombobulated on 7/08/11

Fiji's Clown prince and Bainirama's manic second banana, Airykum Saiarse, has been at it again chucking, plucking and shrieking decree, after edict, after proclamation, after commandment.

Enough yapping to make one feel quite nauseous.

First, he hung our FNPF Ma and Pa donor's out to suck air instructing the FNPF bureaucratic-birdbrains to blame the older fund contributors for depleting the fund, and ignoring the fact that the regime has been sucking on the Fund to the tune of 1.7 billion since the coup in 2006 !

This vulgar toady then set about banning the media from letting the public of Fiji know what was really going on with the fund.

The truth is yet to emerge so watch this space, but recently the aforementioned ass ratified the departure of YET another foreign investor from our shores ; this time via a unit of little Hitlers called BAF who have something to do with banning feathers from landing on our forests but are instead cutting employment to 90 persons (who in turn have lost income support to a collective of at least 450 persons in the extended family network).

Excellent work Cock's .....

.... time to show those investors their investments will never be safe in Fiji for the changing of the regime's coop-posts whenever it suits the cockeral's in green, eh?

In the meantime Kaiyum sees no reason why he shouldn't continue feathering his own nest and his family's too, whilst he continues to crow orders from behind Bainirama's skirts.

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Does a collective conscience exist with Fiji Junta supporters?

2011-08-08T19:58:00.002+12:00

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Does a collective conscience exist with Fiji Junta supporters?

via discombobulated bubu by discombobulated on 30/07/11

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

There comes a point when a man must refuse to answer to his leader if he is also to answer to his own conscience.

Hartley Shawcross, barrister, politician, and prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes tribunal (1902-2003)

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Melanesian Voice: Western Pacific

2011-07-29T11:54:00.003+12:00

Subject: Smol Melanesian Na Pasifik Nius Digest # 453b (take 2!)
Bonjour,

Hope you are all good! Happy Readings! Wishing you all a Good Wiken! Cheers- Phil Wantok.

MELANESIAN NIUS: New Guinea Island, politically divided between independent Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces of West Papua + 600+ Islands Off the coast of New Guinea,Amplett Islands, PNG, Bismarck Archipelago, PNG/d'Entrecasteaux

Islands, PNG/d'Entrecasteaux Islands, PNG /Louisiade Archipelago, PNG/ Trobriand Islands, PNG/Woodlark Island-PNG / West Papua,Maluku Islands,Sumba,Timor (Bahasa Indonesia),Raja Ampat Islands,( Indonesia )/Schouten Islands, (Indonesia) /Autonomous Bouganville /Solomon Islands/ Vanuatu/New Caledonia/Fiji/Torres Strait Islands, politically divided between Australia and Papua New Guinea/The Australian South Sea islanders (Ancestors of Melanesians living in Australia since the 1800's in Queensland and Northern NSW+)(Over 1,500+ Indigenous Melanesian languages in Western Pacific) More In4 go to Wikipedia saraga!

Papua NiuGini:

)Australia's opposition envisions new PNG relationship- http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/story.htm?id=42529

Australian leader says they're still focussed on Manus detention centre

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard says her government is focusing on securing a deal with Papua New Guinea to re-establish the asylum seeker detention centre on Manus Island.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports her comments come as she defends criticism over her government's new refugee swapping arrangement with Malaysia.

Domestic pressure is growing for Ms Gillard's government to forge a soltution that will address the large number of asylum seekers arriving in Australia and to deter future boat arrivals.

She says negotiations with PNG's government over the use of Manus are slow because of political upheaval caused by the ill health of the prime minister, Sir Michael Somare.

28/7/11 Radio New Zealand International

4)Census in trouble

There was chaos yesterday afternoon in Kundiawa, Chimbu Province when disgruntled census officials and volunteers went on a rampage over outstanding entitlements.
As the clock ticked past 4.06pm and the promised payments were not forthcoming, the officials went on a rampage, joined by the public who took advantage of the situation.
The census woes have also gripped Lae as census officials demand for their allowances.
The chairman of Morobe Province Census Steering Committee and Deputy Provincial Administrator – District Services Patilias Gamato assured the 2011 Census workers that they will get their allowances. And in Port Moresby, some residents are still pondering if the census officials will turn up at their doorsteps. Census officials in Port Moresby have yet to visit various parts and suburbas of the city.
Back in Kundiawa, the census officials threatened to stone the Kondom Agaundo building, the provincial headquarters but quick police action averted what could have easily turned into a nasty scene.
Police managed to cordoned the building off but by 5.30pm, the crowd was still there although most of them lived out of town and would have missed the PMVs.
Provincial Administrator Joe Kunda Naur, who is in Port Moresby on a business trip, said he has been briefed by the Provincial Census Coordinator Arabel Gonapa over the delay in payment of allowances.
"A cheque for K100,000 has already been raised and Mr Gonapa brought it to the local BSP branch to cash it and pay the allowances but the bank did not allow it," Mr Kunda Naur said last night.
Mr Kunda Naur indicated special arrangements may have to be made with BSP to have the cheque cashed and the outstanding allowances paid. http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20110728/thhome.htm- By MOHAMMAD BASHIR83128004

5)'PNG Government on African States trend'

Papua New Guinea is treading through dangerous times following the experience of African States in their early years of Independence in the 1960s, former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan has warned.

Speaking at the close of the two-day People's Progress Party national convention in Goroka, Sir Julius warned that the current trends in the country were similar to those of the experiences of African states.

Sir Julius warned that the National Alliance-led Government coalition is taking PNG down the same route which dictated the downfall of African nations by using its superior numbers to dictate absolute control at the national level, effectively eroding Parliamentary democracy and building a time bomb ready to explode in time.

Sir Julius said African nations swept by the current of colonisation suffered dictatorial rule by their own self serving leaders who built big empires but were ultimately pulled down by public revolution and he is frightened that PNG is treading the same dangerous route that can only signal public anarchy.

"We are repeating what happened in Africa, that's why we must be cautious because I fear people will revolt against the State.

"It's like a saucepan boiling and once it blows, it will be devastating and I'm not overruling this in PNG, the People's Progress Party leader and New Ireland Governor said.

"This is why PPP needs to recruit quality candidates and be elected to Parliament to impact change in order that we can pass on the baton of development to the next generation in better shape and condition than when we took it," he said.
Sir Julius said there is a vacuum in the National Government right now because there is no leader to take over the reins from Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

Sir Julius said PPP has proven leadership and track record since before and after Independence and called on the Party to recruit quality leaders to strengthen the Party's position in the 2012 national elections and prospect for participating in Government.

The Convention embraced and adopted what Sir Julius himself described as "very clear and innovative policies that promise real and meaningful benefits" under the PPP banner for the 2012 general elections, championing the New Ireland model on areas of free and subsidised education, Health care, Infrastructure, Promotion of private sector and giving power back to the people by transferring ownership of oil, mineral and gas resources

Sir Julius said these are the steps the People's Progress Party will take to the people in 2012 National General Elections – and all these steps share one thing in common - they are based on faith in the people.28/7/11 SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS

6)TWO-DAY SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS SHIP CARGO THEFTS IN PNG
Well-organized heists indicate insiders

By Angeline Karius
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, July 27, 2011) - Security concerns in the maritime industry, including cargo theft, illegal smuggling of firearms and drugs were among issues highlighted by stakeholders yesterday in a two-day maritime seminar in Madang, Papua New Guinea (PNG) this week.

The seminar, organized by the Department of Transport, ends today.

According to local operator Peter Sharp, cargo theft was rampant in port facilities around the country.

He said such highly-organized crimes involved insiders from reputable shipping companies networking among themselves.

He claimed the problem had been going on for years and something had to be done about it.

"These people (criminals) are getting smarter and smarter," he said.

Sharp said criminal activities today did not exclude port facilities that had over the years become vulnerable.

"For example, even genuine individuals or company buyers have become ignorant by buying stolen goods," he said.

He said more people became involved in such crimes, "the more susceptible our ports become".

PNG Ports Corporation security manager Michael Piel said a concerted effort by respective port operators "will be sought in order to address the issues at stake".

The National: www.thenational.com.pg/

7)PNG OFFICIAL CHARGED WITH LAND EXTORTION
Official allegedly demanded $1.3 million for land title

By Jacob Pok
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, July 27, 2011) - A senior government official was yesterday arrested and charged in connection with a 3 million kina [US$1.3 million] land deal in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Police confirmed that Acting Lands secretary Romily Kila-Pat, 43, of Hula village, Central, was brought to the Boroko police station yesterday afternoon.

Police alleged that he had used his position to extort a land title worth more than K3 million.

The police report said between Jan 20 and Jan 24 this year, Kila-Pat, while using his position as the secretary of lands, conspired with others and issued land titles intended for TST 4-Mile, to another person.

Pila-Pat allegedly signed the land titles and issued them to Eleana Tjandranegara, a PNG citizen of Indonesian origin.

Tjandranegara was recently charged with stealing and conspiracy to defraud and is out on a 1,500 kina [US$658.00] bail.

The subject property is described as section 387, allotment 19, Hohola.

The land was originally registered as PATU 27 Ltd by TST 4-Mile, the mother company, when it obtained lease for the land in early 2001.

TST 4-Mile engaged a consultant to change the title of PATU 27 Ltd into its name (TST 4-Mile) and also apply to sub-divide the land into two allotments, allotment 22 and 23.

The consultant submitted an application to the PNG Lands Board which was approved by the NCD Physical Planning.

The Department of Lands and Physical Planning notified the consultant that the application was successful and was gazetted last Dec 20.

An agreement was reached and 24,116 kina [US$10,600] was paid as annual rental by TST to the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.

But, before the land title was issued to TST, it was alleged that Kila-Pat and other senior officials conspired with Tjandranegara and issued the title of the same property to her.

Kila-Pat was released on a K1,000 bail yesterday evening.

He was issued a strict bail condition not to interfere with state witness, especially employees of Lands Department.

He was also warned against accessing any files in the department while police finalized their investigations.

Police expect to make more arrests in connection with this particular land transaction.The National: www.thenational.com.pg/

8)PNG LANDOWNERS TO APPEAL RULING ON MINE DUMPING
Judge allows Ramu nickel mine to dispose waste offshore

By Liam Fox
MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, July 27, 2011) - A group of landowners in Papua New Guinea (PNG) say they will appeal against a court's decision not to ban a nickel mine from dumping waste into the sea.

The National Court has refused an application by a group of landowners to prevent the Ramu nickel mining dumping tailings into the sea off Madang.

The judge said it is likely the dumping would cause "serious environmental harm" but it isn't illegal and banning it at this late stage would have an adverse affect on the mine, its workers and investor confidence in PNG.

The landowners' lawyer, Tiffany Nongorr, says her clients will appeal.

"I guess there's a belief some people's livelihoods can be sacrificed for the greater good," she said.

Australian mining company Highlands Pacific is a minority shareholder in the mine and it welcomed the decision and urged the landowners not to appeal.

An environmental scientist says thousands of marine species in Papua New Guinea could be threatened by the court's decision.

Dr. Amanda Reichelt-Brushett, from Australia's Southern Cross University, is a scientist who gave evidence in the case.

She has told Pacific Beat the disposal of tailings from the mine could damage coral reefs and also pollute coastal waters, which people depend on for their food security.

"It is a very high-risk operation and unlike on land tailings, where you can have management in place and management reaction to spills and incidents, there is not much that can be done," she said.

Mining Minister John Pundari says the government is aware of locals' concerns that the toxic waste could pollute the sea and marine life along the Astrolabe and Basamuk bays.

Mr. Pundari assured them the government will monitor any pollution and inform locals of likely impacts every three months.Radio Australia: www.abc.net.au/ra

9)PNG Police raid homes, attack villagers

Papua New Guinea Police, in their campaign against alcohol-smuggling, have left hundreds of people homeless and others injured during raids in the Margarima district, Southern Highlands, yesterday.

District chief Kerry Mamai Lero said more than 100 homes and trade stores were raided and properties destroyed during the raid at Hiri in the lower Waghi local level government.

He said the raid started at the Olam villages and ended at Wapulaka village, a distance of about 10km.

Lero said the people had been left homeless and he asked for assistance, describing the si¬tuation as a "disaster".

Attempts to get comments from provincial police commander Supt John Anawe in Tari were unsuccessful.

Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie, when contacted, said he was not aware of the incident.

It was believed that the series of raids was conducted by armed policemen based at the LNG project site and at Tari.

The attack was said to be in retaliation for the recent burning of a police vehicle allegedly by locals.
Police said the villagers were angry that the officers had confiscated 150 cartons of beer from traders in the area.

Police had been conducting regular patrols in the area following a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol put in place by the provincial executive council.

Hela leaders have condemned the vehicle-burning, saying it was the first time civilians had turned against police.

This was the second incident involving beer smuggling in the province this year.

Meanwhile, reports from Mendi said people were still consuming alcohol despite the province-wide ban.
28/7/11 SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS

Solomon Islands:

10)Solomons province bans official visitors

Campbell Cooney, Pacific correspondent

A remote province of Solomon Islands has announced a ban on visits by government ministers and officials,

It says the ban will stay in force until the national government listens to concerns about food, medical supplies and bans on traditional fishing practices.

In a letter sent to a Solomon Island's newspaper, a chief from the Ontong Java Islands, Ini Ngouma, says all national MPs, officials and police are now banned from the province.

Ontong Java is one of the most remote regions of Solomon Islands,

One of its community leaders, Dr Reginald Iataia, says the province does not have regular shipping and suffers from shortages that mean his people are suffering.

"The people are going hungry," he said.

"There is no medical supplies in our island.

"In some cases people are dying of starvation.

The ABC has tried repeatedly to contact government and ministry officials in Solomon Islands but all calls went unanswered.28/7/11 abc

11)68 SOLOMONS STUDENTS EXPELLED FROM UNIVERSITY
Big improvement over 120 average failure rate

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, July 28, 2011) - The Ministry of Education in Solomon Islands has expelled a large number of students from the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The director of the National Training Unit, Selu Maezama says sixty-eight students have been expelled because of poor performance or failures.

He says despite the seemingly high number of failures, it's a drop from previous years which averaged 120 student failures.

Mr. Maezama says the students have been given 14 days to appeal the decision.

Solomon Islands have the second largest number of students in the region studying at the USP.Solomon Star: http://www.solomonstarnews.com/

12)Solomon Islands PM encourage islanders to be proud of hosting festival of Pacific Arts

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Philip has encouraged all citizens of Solomon Islands to take pride and full ownership of the Festival of Pacific Arts next year.

Solomon Islands will host the festival from the 01-14 July, 2012 under the theme "Culture in Harmony with Nature".

At a meeting with the Festival National Organising Committee in Honiara yesterday, Prime Minister Philip said hosting the Festival was a huge opportunity for Solomon Islands to showcase its unique arts and cultural diversity to the outside world.

He described hosting the festival as a "Confidence Booster" for the government to host other big events here in the future.

Prime Minister Philip also added that hosting the Festival will help eliminate the negative image of the country to the outside world after the troubles the country had gone through as a nation.

He said the NCRA Government is prepared to assist the National Organising Committee with resources to ensure the country successfully hosts the biggest cultural event.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Philip was briefed by senior members of the National Organising Committee together with Chairpersons of technical committees of the progresses made so far.

The Minister of Culture and Tourism Samuel Manetoali and National Organising Committee Chairman Sir George Lepping assured Prime Minister Philip that Solomon Islanders will be proud of next year's events.
28/7/11 SOURCE: SIBC/PACNEWS

Vanuatu:

13)Vt28 million outstanding property tax contributes to municipal's inherited woes

Posted on July 27, 2011 - 1:23pm Category:

Jane Joshua

The suspension of the 14 member Port Vila Municipal Council (PVMC) is attributed to financial debts not incurred by the now suspended council, but an unfortunate inheritance from previous councils.

The Vanuatu government does not provide an annual budget for PVMC; it is expected to generate revenue from taxpayers from the residents in the PVMC jurisdiction in order for it to operate and deliver service to taxpaying citizens in Vanuatu's capital.

An aspect of this is the much publicised property tax or rather outstanding property taxes.

It can be deduced from the following PVMC Outstanding and balance summary that over the two years the Alliance led coalition council took the reins of PVMC the outstanding property taxes fluctuated despite its efforts to meet its debts and manage its costs which included downsizing its staff.

Backtrack six years and here is the summary of the progress of outstanding property taxes:

Albeit Property Tax is only one aspect of it, there are factors such as creditors, VAT liabilities, the Vanuatu National Provident Funds and Debtors which are not accounted for in this article.28/7/11 http://www.dailypost.vu/content/vt28-million-outstanding-property-tax-contributes-municipal%E2%80%99s-inherited-woes

14)School Children get awareness on how to stop abuse

Posted on July 27, 2011 - 4:06pm Category:

Santo News –By-Esther Tinning

To commemorate Children's Day the Sanma Counseling Centre carried out a major awareness on abuse to five schools in Luganville.

Mrs Annie Philemon of the Sanma Counseling Centre said schools that responded to the program included Luganville Sarakata Centre school, Sarakata SDA School, St. Therese school, St. Michel School and Bombua School.

Philemon reported that she was happy with the outcome and performance of the students in all schools following the awareness.

An evaluation and test was carried out at the end of the program to see that students understood the message and should be able to keep away from abuse from any older member of their family or community.

It has become more apparent that many schools are now opening their doors to receive such awareness to keep children safe at all times.

Reports have indicated that the rate of abuse in homes and the community at large is becoming very high over the years and Mrs Philemon emphasized the need to continue such awareness.

As part of the program, participating schools were awarded with gifts as a learning motivation to students to keep whatever they have learnt because it is important for their growth.27/7/11 http://www.dailypost.vu/content/school-children-get-awareness-how-stop-abuse

Fiji:

15)Fiji pension cuts necessary: minister

Jemima Garrett

Fiji's interim Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says controversial pension reforms are necessary to put Fiji's National Provident Fund on a sound economic footing.

The Attorney-General says the Bainimara government is supporting pension reforms because it is concerned about the long-term sustainability of the Provident Fund.

The reforms will see pensions cut by up to 64 per cent.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says the interim government is acting to improve transparency and governance of the troubled fund.

But he said it is being hampered by Australian and New Zealand travel bans on appointees of the regime.

He said qualified people have refused to serve on the Provident Fund Board because of the bans.

The Attorney-General says an independent inquiry into mismanagement of the fund is not necessary.28/7/11abc

16)FALSE LABELS ON FIJI FOODS ON THE RISE
Ministry of Health's to review, renew regulations

By Nasik Swami
SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, July 27, 2011) - There has been an increase noted in the number of food processors, wholesalers, and retailers putting inappropriate food labels.

Ministry of Health spokesman Peni Namotu said in the last two weeks various retailers, wholesalers and food processors have been asked by Ministry of Health's Food Unit personnel to review, rectify misleading labels.

Namotu said a lot of brands have been re-labeled.

He said Perfect Choice tuna, a relabeled brand of tuna is selling at FJ$0.69 [US$0.40] per can.

"The label reads zero percent total fat when the fish and the vegetable oil preservative have substantial fats as ingredients," Namotu said.

He said Sun Bell Tuna report Potassium as an ingredient but fails to mention "sodium" the most important factor.

"Skipper Tuna, label reads a total fat level below the saturated fat even after vegetable oil has been added," Namotu said.

He also said if a "rebranded" tin of perfect choice tuna costs 69 cents, Ministry of Health is very interested to follow up why the original FJ$0.98 [US$0.57] was charged at that rate.

The Food Unit of Ministry of Health is being instructed to renew the labeling criteria under the Food Safety Regulations 2009 as a matter of urgency to regularize such unethical business practices.

Fijilive: http://www.fijilive.com

17)FIJI HIGH COMMISSION OPENS IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Regime's military commander present to witness event

By Repeka Nasiko
SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, July 27, 2011) - Fiji's Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is currently in Pretoria, South Africa for the opening of the Fiji High Commission.

The Fiji High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa will be Fiji's latest diplomatic mission.

According to a government statement, the new mission positions Fiji in the African continent and compliments bilateral and multilateral relations with African countries.

The High Commission is scheduled for opening on July 29.

Commodore was en route to South Africa from Mozambique where he was attending the 12th ACP Ministerial Conference on Sugar in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.Fijilive: http://www.fijilive.com

18)Fiji environment minister pushes for Pacific economies to go green

The Fiji interim minister for the environment, Colonel Samuela Saumatua, says Pacific economies need to go green if they're to ensure they remain viable.

He's told the meeting of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation in Lami in Fiji that the Green Economy concept would help countries achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication.

The Green Economy, which is proposed as one of two significant themes for next year's UN Conference on Sustainable Development, promises to fully incorporate the environmental and the social agenda into economic discussions.

It encourages the economy and environment to work as mutually supportive partners and not as competitors.

Colonel Saumatua says given the high dependency of Pacific Islands countries on their natural environment, with commodities such as fisheries, timber and tourism, it makes sense for them to invest in a green economy.

28/7/11 Radio New Zealand International

Fiji AG says Aust-NZ travel bans affect pension fund- http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/story.htm?id=42541

POLYNESIA:

20)TONGA WOMEN LAUNCH BUSINESS NETWORK
To encourage, mentor women for business pursuits

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, July 27, 2011) - A business network for women has recently been launched in Tonga with a view to mentoring and encouraging other women in their business pursuits.

The Women in Sustainable Enterprises (WISE) group already has around 140 members including accomplished business leaders.

Board member, Sela Bloomfield, says before WISE was set up there was nowhere women with business aspirations could go to for advice.

"One of the main objectives is to help women by offering training and mentoring and also to create a network among members of WISE. Essentially we want to help women, encourage them in their business journey, and help them to build their businesses to make the business sustainable."

Sela Bloomfield says the network includes small home-based businesses as well as large enterprises.Radio New Zealand International: http://www.rnzi.com/

21)TONGA POLICE COMMISSIONER MAKES SUDDEN EXIT
Unclear why Kelley' contract not renewed

NUKU΄ALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, July 27, 2011) – Tonga's first Police Commissioner Chris Kelley will have his final day in office next Friday, August 5 before leaving Tonga the following day, after the Minister of Police in a letter, stated that the Commissioner's contract would not be renewed.

The Police Commissioner did not want to comment on why he was leaving Tonga so abruptly, but said that he would make a press statement on August 2.

The Commissioner's three-years contract with the Tongan government is due to expire on 22 September, but it is understood he is taking holidays owed to him by leaving earlier.

The method of the termination of the Police Commissioner's contract raised questions over the government's ability to implement the new Tonga Police Act.

The Minister of Police, Hon. Dr. Viliami Latu told Matangi Tonga this morning that it was a Cabinet decision not to extend Commissioner Kelley's contract and that he had written a letter to inform him.

He said that Commissioner Kelley was brought in to implement a five year development project, jointly funded by Australia, New Zealand and Tonga, and even though there was still work to be done, "but the new government decided not to renew his contract, but to advertise for a new person to take over from him."

However, the Minister of Police admitted that the government was having great difficulty implementing the Police Act 2010 because neither the Privy Council nor the Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel had ever met.

According to the Tonga Police Act 2010 it is the King in Privy Council who has the power to appoint or to terminate the contract of a Police Commissioner, on the advice of the Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel. The Act also spells out that the appointment of a Police Commissioner cannot be terminated except for physical or mental incapacity, neglect of duty or misconduct.

First as Police Commander in 2008 and this year appointed Commissioner, Chris Kelley, a New Zealander, implemented the Tonga Police Strategic Plan 2009 to 2013 and under it set out to build a healthy Police organization.

The plan invested in staff and equipment and overhauled the Police infrastructure, and rapidly improved the service, while slowly regaining public trust. But it was not all smooth going and in the process of setting new standards of policing, he was challenged for letting go of established staff, including some senior officers.

But those in government who wanted the Commissioner to leave, appeared to be entrenched in the idea that the Commissioner was the choice of the former government, and they wanted a new person.

Commissioner Kelley was initially contracted by the Tongan Government to be Police Commander for three years with a right for extension, starting from his appointment on 22 September 2008 under a Tripartite Partnership Agreement that had been signed in July the same year.

The Police Commander position had been vacant since early 2007, after the resignation of the previous commander following the riots and burning of the Nuku'alofa Central Business District on 16 November 2006.

The government had difficulties in attracting applicants to fill the post. After months of advertising with no success, the former Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Fred Sevele, approached the New Zealand Government for assistance in finding a new Police Commander. The resulting five-years Tripartite Partnership Agreement was signed by the Australian, New Zealand and Tongan governments, with an allocation of $4 million pa'anga to finance the program.

On February 21 this year he was promoted to a newly created post of Police Commissioner.

In accepting the appointment Commissioner Kelley said that the Police Act 2010 was required to better equip Tonga Police to confidently meet the challenges of policing in modern Tonga.

"It came out of public concerns, government unease and police dissatisfaction with the old act, which lacked clarity in administration and operation, and it adversely impacted on the effectiveness of Tonga Police," he said at the time. "The new act ensures police transparency and accountability to the people, by establishing guiding principles for how policing should be carried out. Most importantly, it provides rights, strengthens safeguards in the exercise of police powers, not only for suspected offenders but also for victims and witnesses and members of the public who have care and protection needs," he said.

The passing of the Tonga Police Act 2010, the restructuring of the police and the appointment of the new police commissioner were steps toward completing the Tonga Police Development Program.Matangi Tonga: www.matangitonga.to/nav.html

22)Tuvalu to shortly announce dates for by-election following Minister's death

Plans are underway in Tuvalu to hold a by-election to replace the late Minister of Natural Resources.

Isaia Italeli was found dead in a hotel room in Samoa where he was staying before the Pacific Forum Fisheries Ministers' meeting last week.

A farewell service was held in Samoa before his body was returned to Tuvalu for his funeral held earlier this week.

The Secretary to the Government in Tuvalu, Panapasi Nelesone said a by-election is expected to be held soon.

"Right now government is trying to organise a by-election for the island of Nui. The late minister was from the island of Nui. So we're now in the process of organising a by-election and hopefully the dates will be approved by cabinet later this afternoon."

Nelesone said the Prime Minister is overseeing the late Minister's portfolios until the by-election.

Meanwhile, Fisheries Ministers with the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) have paid tribute to the late Tuvalu Minister for Natural Resources.

After Isaia Taeia Italeli died during the regional Fisheries Ministers' meeting last week in Samoa, the PNA meeting was postponed for a day. The Minister has been hailed by the PNA as a great advocate for fisheries in his country and the PNA.

Italeli was said to be "behind the steering wheel" of Pacific fisheries development and had played a central role in the PNA's recent actions on regional tuna management. 28/7/11 SOURCE: RNZI/PACNEWS

23)INFLUENTIAL TAHITI PROTESTANT CHURCH HOLDS MEETING
Meeting themes: promote Polynesian language, pay less tax

PAPEÉTE, Tahiti (Tahitipresse, July 25, 2011) - The opening of the Maohi Protestant Church's 127th Synod took place during the weekend in Vairao in Tahiti's peninsula.

[PIR editor's note: "This church is the former Evangelical Church of French Polynesia, which changed its name to Maohi Protestant Church by decision of its synod in 2004. The church grew out of the work of the London Missionary Society which came to Tahiti in 1797. More than half of the population of the territory belongs to the Maohi Protestant Church."]

One of the synod's main theme this year will be how to protect and promote Polynesian languages.

Another main theme will be new taxes. The Maohi Protestant Church wants the poorest tahitians to pay less taxes in the future.

There should also be working sessions and debates about the Tahitian society and its evolution.

The Maohi Protestant Church's 127th Synod is scheduled to end July 31st.

Members from the Maohi Protestant Church account for around 50 percent of French Polynesian inhabitants.

The 127th Maohi Protestant Church Synod also already re-elected Taaroanui Maraea president for another four years.

Maraea was elected president for the first time in 2003 and re-elected president for another four years in 2007.

Trained in Strasbourg, France, he spent three years working in the youth sector before moving into the Church's hierarchy.Tahitipresse: www.tahitipresse.pf

24)TAHITI BOTANICAL DISCOVERIES INCREASED BY 20 PERCENT
Discovery yielded 62 new species of ferns, flowering plants

PAPEÉTE, Tahiti (Tahitipresse, July 26, 2011) - Recent botanical exploration efforts in the rugged Marquesas Islands have increased the known flora of the archipelago by an impressive 20 percent.

Field research and collecting in conjunction with the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands and Flore de la Polynesie française projects have yielded 62 new species of ferns and flowering plants bringing the total native species to 360.

18 of them are newly described and illustrated in a special issue of PhytoKeys.

The new findings were made by researchers from the National Tropical Botanical Garden (David H. Lorence) and Smithsonian Institution (Warren L. Wagner), in collaboration with French IRD and French Polynesian researchers.

"Intensive field work has revealed that most of these new species are extremely rare and localized endemics, often confined to a single island", senior project leader David Lorence said. Many are known only from one or two localities harboring intact native vegetation that have so far escaped pressures from invasive plant species and feral animals", Lorence added.

Over 6,000 herbarium specimens collected by field botanists were pressed, dried, and distributed to collaborating institutions in Tahiti, Hawaii, Washington DC, Paris, and elsewhere for study by botanical specialists.

Ferns comprise an important element of the Marquesas flora, and 11 of the 18 new species are ferns.Tahitipresse: www.tahitipresse.pf

25)NIUE PREMIER'S IMMIGRATION SCHEME QUESTIONED
One hundred Chinese families to settle on island

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, July 27, 2011) - An opposition MP in Niue says the premier should explain the details of a scheme to allow 100 Chinese families to settle on the island.

Niue has been seeking investment from China for some years and most recently a group was escorted to the island by the Reef Group to look at investing in its noni farm and mothballed fish processing plant.

There are local reports of the premier's plans but Terry Coe says there's public concern at the impact such an influx could have on the island.

[PIR editor's note: In a recent report, Niue's Premier has rejected as speculation reports that the government is about to allow up to 100 Chinese families to settle on the island.]

He says there's division in the cabinet on the matter and the premier, Toke Talagi, should publicly explain the nature of the scheme.

"Most of the people who know about it and it's not general knowledge, that's the thing, that they've kept it very quiet. But those that know about have expressed their deep concern and what are we trying to do when we've seen the problems within Fiji, Samoa and Tonga with bringing especially those people, the Chinese, into the community."

Premier Toke Talagi dismisses Mr. Coe's claims as rumors.

He says there's no agreement in place but he says they have been talking with Chinese investors about a range of investment possibilities.

Radio New Zealand International: http://www.rnzi.com/

MICRONESIA:

26)US military aborts missile test over Marshall Islands

Launch controllers in the US Air Force have destroyed an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific after detecting a problem with it, minutes after take-off.

The Associated Press reports that it's the second problem with the Minuteman 3 missile during tests this summer at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The missile was terminated early yesterday morning over the ocean northeast of Roi-Namur, an island within Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The Air Force says there'll be an investigation.

The US military regularly tests unarmed missiles to check reliability and accuracy.

28/7/11 Radio New Zealand International

27)GUAM POWER BILL TO CLIMB BY 13 PERCENT NEXT WEEK
Average family bill would increase by $39

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, July 27, 2011) - Power bills will climb about 13 percent next week, or about US$39 for the average local household, because of a decision made Monday night by the head of the Public Utilities Commission.

Because the PUC didn't have a quorum, commission Chairman Jeff Johnson unilaterally approved an order increasing the fuel surcharge portion of every power bill.

Starting on Aug. 1, the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause, or LEAC, will increase from 16 cents to 19 cents per 1,000 kilowatt-hours used, according to the order.

That will translate into an increase of about US$30 for a family who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month. According to Pacific Daily News files, the average family actually uses about 1,300 kilowatt hours a month, so their bill would increase by about US$39.

PUC legal counsel Fred Horecky explained yesterday that the fuel surcharge increase is needed because several separate price estimates predict that a barrel of oil is expected to climb in the next six months.

Guam's electricity costs are tethered to the fluctuating cost of oil, which drags power bills either up or down every six months.

According to The Associated Press, oil prices fell to near US$99 a barrel Wednesday in Asia after a report showed U.S. crude supplies unexpectedly jumped last week, suggesting demand may be weakening.

The LEAC rose 18.5 percent in February, and the Guam Power Authority can request another increase in December.

The LEAC increase approved on Monday is also needed, at least in part, because projections considered in January actually underestimated how much fuel would fluctuate this year, Horecky said. GPA reported "underrecovery" during this time, so that loss was factored into the LEAC adjustment.

Only three members were present at Monday's PUC meeting, so Johnson tapped into a rarely used authority to approve the order on his own, Horecky said.

"We generally don't prefer to do that, but sometimes there is no choice," Horecky said.

Board members can "theoretically" reverse Johnson's decision at the next board meeting, but this is unlikely and unprecedented, Horecky said.

Pacific Daily News: www.guampdn.com

28)CNMI HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS DOUBLE IN TEN YEARS
Documented numbers stand at 159 patients

By Moneth Deposal
SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, July 28, 2011) - Between 2001 through 2011, the number of hemodialysis patients in the Commonwealth have doubled, proof that more and more islanders are contracting chronic diseases that lead to kidney failures.

Based on the latest records of the Commonwealth Health Center, from just 80 hemobialysis patients 10 years ago, the number now stands at 159-and these are just the documented ones.

Karlo Reyes, unit manager of the CHC hemodialysis unit, said yesterday that these documented patients are being treated either at the hospital or at a private clinic on island.

Saipan has two hemodialysis facilities: one at the Commonwealth Health Center and the privately-run St. Jude Renal Care Facility at the Saipan Health Clinic.

Of the 159 dialysis patients in the Commonwealth, Reyes disclosed that 107 are being treated at CHC while St. Jude accommodates the remaining 52 patients. CHC, as a public health center, accommodates patients with or without insurance.

Reyes believes that more and more people in the community have chronic kidney diseases that are still undiagnosed, based on the emergency cases being brought to the hospital. He said an undiagnosed kidney failure usually leads to emergency treatment.

"I can't say if the documented figure is alarming but I do believe that we still have a significant number of individuals in our community who have chronic kidney conditions but are still undiagnosed to date. Based on the 10-year period of documented patients, however, we've seen a continuous increase in the number. The figure doubled from 2001 to 2011," said Reyes.

Because of the limited resources and equipment at the hospital's old dialysis center, the opening of the St. Jude facility and its expansion has helped accommodate the increasing number of patients who need dialysis treatment. Saipan Tribune learned that CHC's old dialysis center could only accommodate 19 patients per shift.

Reyes said the expected opening of the new hemodialysis center will allow them to increase that number to 27 patients per shift every day.

Hemodialysis is a method for removing waste products such as creatinine and urea, as well as free water, from the blood when the kidneys fail. Hemodialysis is one of three renal replacement therapies, the other two being renal transplant and peritoneal dialysis. It can be an outpatient or inpatient therapy.

Saipan Tribune: www.saipantribune.com

29)CNMI AUDIT OFFICE DISCOVERS $2.68 MILLION FRAUD
Unknown if Attorney General will act on it

By Moneth Deposa

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, July 28, 2011) - The Office of Public Auditor has found approximately US$2.628 million in government monies expended improperly by agencies and that can be recovered by the cash-strapped government if actions will be taken by the Office of the Attorney General.

The collectibles were as of Dec. 31, 2010, according to the OPA's audit report on CNMI agencies released yesterday.

"As of Dec. 31, 2010, recommendations in seven audit reports were referred to the [OAG] for legal action to recover monies improperly expended. On May 17, 2011 OPA requested an update on these referrals. The [OAG] did not respond to this request or provide OPA an update on these referrals. As such, the status of these referrals remains unchanged," states the report.

Of the potentially recoverable funds, OPA said that US$4,982 can be recovered from a former Rota Health Center director as reimbursement for the cost of a washing machine taken from RHC funds for the period December 1993 to March 1996.

Another US$75,000 could be recovered from a former Finance secretary who misused the money during fiscal years 1995 to 1997.

A loan receivable made to a CNMI constituent. Legal action is also needed to recover an overpayment of US$543,375 from a consultant of the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission on grounds of unjust enrichment, conversion, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty and US$195,971 from three other individuals for breach of fiduciary trust.

OPA also disclosed that the CNMI government has US$1.315 million in overpayments of professional services contracts.

At the Department of Public Works, US$100,000 can be recovered as improper payments made to a surveying contractor in 1997. Another US$392,178 can be recovered from the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission as payment for improper travels made in fiscal years 1996 to 2001.

OPA also indicated that there is a potential recovery of US$3.6 million that hinges on agencies' actions.

Recommendations in eight audit reports identified potential recoveries of the amount due to unpaid rentals of land leases, uncollected labor processing fees, overpayments in professional services contracts and retirement benefits, and improper expenditures of public funds.

"Of the US$4.7 million identified as potentially recoverable, US$1.054 million has been partially recovered, leaving a balance of US$3.671 million still recoverable as of Dec. 31, 2010," OPA said. Saipan Tribune: www.saipantribune.com

TOK PISIN (Papua NiuGini,Autonomous Bouganville,Solomon Islands & Vanuatu) 26/7/11-radioaustralia)

30)Ol PNG papa graon i lusim kot keis

Wanpela kot insait long Papua New Guinea i sakim wanpela askim oa aplikeisin long stopim wanpela nickel main long damp-im posin blong main igo insait long solowara.

PNG correspondent Liam Fox i ripot olsem wan-tausen ol lan-ona ibin painim wei blong stopim plen blong Ramu nickel main long tromoim planti million tonne-heve blong pipia igo insait long north coast blong Madang Provins.

Na ol i strong olsem sapos dispela posin igo aut long main, em bai kilim na bagarapim olgeta bus graun na fis na laif blong ol.

Justice David Cannings i harim dispela wari blong ol na em i tok em ino ting kampani bai mekim olgeta samting long stopim posin igo aut.

Tasol em ibin sakim dispela lan-ona aplikeisin bikos Gavman ibin givim tok orait blong ol long dampim posin na sapos ol i stopim, em i tok, main na bisnis bai bungim bikpela heve long wok ekonomi.

Tasol dispela kot disisin i min kampani, em China i bosim bikpela share, i ken stat wok long main.

NZ Seasonal sapota ino wanbel wantaim toktok blong USA

Ol sapota blong 'seasonal woka skim' blong New Zealand i sakim ol toktok i kam long America olsem New Zealand kampani i kisim ol Pacific pipol ibin panisim ol long wok ples.

Pacific Correspondent Campbell Cooney i ripot olsem long wan wan yar, ol kampani em ol i rejista wantaim New Zealand Registered Seasonal Employers skim i save larem ol long kisim 2-tausen ol Pacific pipol long wok long garm blong ol.

Tasol long las mun, wanpela ripot blong US State Department long Trafficking in Persons blong dispela yar 2011, i autim sampela wari olsem dispela skim i bagarapim rait blong ol pipol.

Ambassador Luis CdeBaca i bos blong Office to Monitor na Combat Trafficking in Persons blong State Department.

"There are certainly the warning signs of abuse and in fact allegations of abuse in a number of different sectors"

New Zealand Ministry of Labour ino iet mekim wanpela bekim long dispela toktok tasol ol sapota blong skim i tok dispela ol toktok ino tru.

Fiji gavman i feil long kisim iau blong Kot

Fiji Hai Kot i rausim wanpela askim oa aplikeisin blong Interim gavman long rausim wanpela salens blong katim pei blong ol pensin.

Jemima Garrett i ripot David Burness, krismas blongen 75, i salensim plen blong gavman long sanis oa 'reform' blong pensin. Em i tok dispela plen bai katim 64 pe sent pensin mani blongen na dispela iet i bagarapim human right blongen.

High Court Judge, Justice Pradeep Hettiarachchi, ibin tok dispela i wanpela bikpela nesinol isu na em ino redi long agri long askim blong Gavman long rausim keis pastaim long em i harim olgeta toktok long kot.

Justice Hettiarachchi ibin tok em ino bilip dispela pension mani, em Gavman i laik kamap sanis longen, ino wanpela human raits isu.

Na em i givim ol loia blong Mr Burness 21 dei long stretim ol kot dokument long dispela keis.

Ripot i tok, Air Vanuatu i sekim pinis bos blong en

Ripot i tok Vanuatu nesanel elain Air Vanuatu i sekim pinis bos blong en.

Vanuatu Daily Post niuspepa i tok elain bod ov darektas i bin rausim Joseph Laloyer, na putim chief pilot Peter Fogarty blong kisim ples blong em.

Post i tok Mr Laloyer i bin kirap nogut long oli sekim em, na i tok insait long 17 mun em i bin stap long displa wok, em i bin daunim bikpla dinau blong elain lusim 14 milian US dola ikam daun long 1.2 milian na i bin nap long kamapim ken bilip long elain.

Post i tok, Mr Laloyer bai apil agensim displa tingting.

BAHASA: (West Papua,Timor,Sumba,Maluku+) radioaustralia-28/7/11.

31)Dituding lakukan pencemaran, petani Australia menggugat

Steve Marsh, petani di Australia Barat melancarkan gugatan hukum terhadap tetangganya karena dianggap mencemari lahan pertanian organiknya dengan tanaman yang telah mengalami modifikasi genetik.

Marsh kehilangan sertifikasinya sebagai petani organik dalam bulan Desember sewaktu serbuk dari tanaman canola hasil GM dari lahan tetangga tertiup ke lahannya.

Ia kini menggugat tetangganya karena hilangnya pendapatan dan tidak bisa lagi menjual hasil produknya dengan harga tinggi tanaman organik.

Pengacara Steve menyebutkan tetangganya telah melakukan keteledoran.

Ini merupakan kasus yang akan diikuti dengan cermat oleh para petani di seluruh Australia.

Aksi protes pencari suaka ditahanan selama 4 hari berakhir

Departemen Immigrasi Australia mengatakan, para tahanan imigrasi telah menghentikan aksi protes yang telah berlangsung empat hari di atas atap Pusat Detensi Immigrasi di Darwin.

Jurubicara departemen immigrasi mengatakan, salah seorang diantaranya mesti mendapat perawatan medis karena insiden melukai diri sendiri.

12 tahanan juga telah menggelar aksi mogok di pusat penahanan itu sejak akhir pekan.

Peningkatan penghangatan global timbulkan kebakaran di Kutub Utara

Peningkatan suhu global akan menimbulkan lebih banyak peristiwa kebakaran di kawasan Kutub Utara. Demikian hasil study yang dipublikasikan melalui Jurnal Nature.

Kebakaran di kawasan Kutub Utara jarang terjadi, tapi di tahun 2007 kebakaran hebat menghancurkan wilayah seluas sekitar seribu kilometer persegi di lembah utara di Alaska.

Penelitian yang hasilnya dimuat dalam jurnal Nature menunjukkan, dengan meningkatnya suhu global, kebakaran seperti itu akan makin sering terjadi dan makin parah.

Wilayah yang kaya organik itu bukan saja mudah terbakar melainkan juga berkapasitas untuk menyimpan karbon dalam jumlah besar.

Dan studi itu mengungkapkan bagaimana satu kebakaran bisa dengan cepat mengubah keseimbangan karbon di kawasan itu, dimana alih-alih menyimpan emisi, wilayah itu akan mengeluarkan karbon dalam jumlah besar ke udara.

Jetstar akan tegur krew pesawat yang keluhkan capek

Maskapai penerbangan murah Jetstar -bagian dari kelompok perusahaan Qantas - akan menegur sebuah perusahaan penyuplai kru pesawat karena mengancam akan memecat awak kabin yang mengeluh keletihan.

Para anggota awak kabin yang berbasis di Thailand tersebut diancam akan dipecat karena mengeluh terlalu lelah untuk mengoperasikan penerbangan dari Sydney menuju Melbourne.

CEO Jetstar, Bruce Buchanan, mengatakan para operator Thailand itu telah diberitahu bahwa praktek tersebut tidak bisa diterima.

"Karena itu kami kembali menanyakan kepada perusahaan penyuplai tenaga kru pesawat ketika kami mengetahui adanya tuduhan tersebut. Bisa jadi praktek tersebut diterima di perusahaan penerbangan lainnya bila perusahaan melakukan intimidasi atau hukuman kepada kru pesawat. Namun langkah tersebut bukan standar yang diterapkan dalam kelompok perusahaan Qantas. Kami melihat dikeluarkannya surat berisi ancaman adalah hal yang tidak dapat diterima," ujar Buchanan.

FRANIS:(New Caledonia,Vanuatu,Tahiti,Wallice & Futuna)

Brèves du Pacifique - 28/07/2011

32)Vanuatu: droit dans ses bottes, Alfred Carlot- Le Ministre des Affaires étrangères vanuatais va établir une mission commerciale a Taïwan, et non pas une mission diplomatique, comme il le souligne dans le "Vanuatu Daily Post". Son projet provoque la fureur de la République Démocratique de Chine.

Même si Alfred Carlot explique qu'avoir des liens commerciaux avec Taiwan n'empêche pas le Vanuatu d'être fidèle au principe d'une seule Chine. Comme le rappelle le Pacific Island Report, le Ministre des Affaires étrangères vanuatais a demandé 32 millions de dollars à la Chine en récompense des bons et loyaux services du Vanuatu. Le pays soutient en effet la Chine contre Taïwan aux Nations-Unies. «La généreuse assistance de la Chine s'est traduite par l'érection du Parlement, du campus de l'Université du Pacifique Sud, du siège du Groupe Mélanésien Fer de Lance et d'autres projets, ceci dit nous apprécierions que la Chine puisse nous aider a boucler le budget du Vanuatu», a-t-il écrit à la Chine. L'ambassadeur de Chine a Port-Vila a rencontré le Premier ministre Sato Kilman la semaine dernière. Cheng Shuping affirme que Sato Kilman a renoncé à l'ouverture d'une mission commerciale a Taïwan. Mais le Ministre des Affaires étrangères Alfred Carlot tient bon, il ira a Taïwan.

Australie: "Evil" hors d'état de nuire- "Evil" – en Francais "le mal", c'est le pseudo de ce pirate informatique qui a donné une belle peur rétrospective à la police australienne. Après six mois d'enquête, elle a arrêté ce chômeur de 25 ans dans l'Etat des Nouvelles Galles du Sud. David Cecil a réussi à s'introduire dans le système de Platform Networks, l'un des 13 noeuds d'échange de trafic Internet du réseau national australien. Une installation qui a couté 36 milliards de dollars. Platform Networks héberge les noms de domaine de milliers d'entreprises, lesquelles auraient pu perdre leur site Internet si le pirate avait mis ses plans à exécution. Les policiers ont remonté sa piste après qu'Evil a attaqué le site d'une université et celui d'une entreprise basée à Melbourne.

L'état d'urgence déclaré aux Mariannes du Nord- Le Gouverneur n'a pas pu faire autrement face à l'effondrement du système de santé. Et c'est aussi une manipulation légale qui lui a permis de transférer 1.7 million de dollars de l'Autorité du Développement à la Caisse d'Assurance Maladie, qui est en déficit de 3 millions de dollars. Concrètement le manque de moyens est tel que les médecins n'ont plus les substances chimiques nécessaires pour faire des tests, ils en sont parfois réduits à deviner la pathologie de leurs patients. A cause de la crise économique, beaucoup de Mariannais ont tout simplement du arrêter de côtiser. Et quand ils tombent malades, ils n'ont toujours pas d'argent pour payer leurs séjours à l'hôpital.

Australie: grand débat sur la vitesse de l'élévation du niveau de l'océan- La semaine dernière, Phil Watson, expert en gestion côtière à l'Université des Nouvelles Galles du Sud, a jeté un pave dans la mare, affirmant que l'élévation du niveau de l'océan était en train de ralentir. S'appuyant sur ces travaux, un autre scientifique, Howard Brady, spécialiste du changement climatique à l'Université Macquarie de Sydney, prévoit donc une élévation de l'océan de 15 centimètres seulement d'ici la fin du siècle. Mais les résultats de Phil Watson et les projections de Howard Brady sont remises en cause par les scientifiques du CSIRO, l'équivalent australien du CNRS. Le CSIRO prévoit 20 à 80 centimetres d'élévation du niveau de l'océan d'ici la fin du siècle. L'experte en gestion côtière du CSIRO, Kathy McInnes, rappelle que l'océan s'élève fortement depuis 1993 – à un rythme de 3.2 mm en moyenne par an. En outre, selon elle il est difficile de faire une prévision précise car les scientifiques ne comprennent pas encore parfaitement la réaction des banquises du Groenland et de l'Antarctique à l'augmentation de la température. De même, on ne sait pas quel tonnage de gaz a effet de serre sera injecté dans l'atmosphère d'ici la fin de ce siècle.

Iles Salomon: 68 étudiants exclus de l'Université du Pacifique Sud- C'est une décision de la direction nationale de l'enseignement supérieur au Ministère de l'Education. Selu Maezama estime que les résultats de ces étudiants sont trop médiocres. 68 cela paraît beaucoup, mais il précise que l'année dernière c'est de 120 étudiants que l'Université du Pacifique Sud a du se séparer. Les étudiants ont deux semaines pour faire appel auprès de la direction de l'université. Le campus de l'Université du Pacifique Sud aux Iles Salomon est le deuxième plus important derrière celui de Suva.

Niue: le gouvernement réagit à la rumeur selon laquelle il s'apprêterait à accueillir 100 familles chinoises- Toke Talagi, le Président de Niue, a précisé qu'il était bien en discussion avec des investisseurs chinois concernant entre autres le tourisme de luxe et la production de jus de noni. Il a confirmé sur la radio néo-zélandaise internationale que Niue, avec le Samoa et les Cook Islands, fournira du jus de noni à la Chine grâce à la société de fret maritime néo-zélandaise Reef Group. Mais tant que l'accord n'est pas signé, Toke Talagi, ne peut pas dire combien de familles chinoises s'installeront à Niue – «50, 100, un millier, je ne peux pas spéculer plus avant», a-t-il conclu.

Changement climatique s'invite à l'ordre du jour du Conseil de Sécurité de l'ONU

Le Conseil de Sécurité des Nations-Unies fait un pas vers la reconnaissance du changement climatique comme une menace à la paix dans le monde. C'est en tout cas l'analyse du Président de Nauru, Marcus Stephen.

La semaine dernière pourtant, le Conseil de Sécurité a rejeté cette idée devant l'opposition de l'Allemagne, de l'Inde, de la Chine et de la Russie, entres autres, qui estiment que c'est aux autres organismes de l'ONU d'intervenir sur le changement climatique. De même, le Conseil refuse de créer un corps de Casques Verts.

Mais Marcus Stephen continue son lobbying au nom des petits Etats insulaires. Il s'est offert une tribune dans le très influent "New York Times" juste avant la réunion du Conseil de Sécurité.

Bruce Hill a demandé à Marcus Stephen en quoi le changement climatique menace la paix:

«Les gens quittent déjà déjà leurs atolls pour se réfugier dans la capitale de leur pays, c'est ça la menace, c'est très clair, à l'avenir il y aura des millions de réfugiés climatiques et d'ici la fin de du siècle, des îles auront été rayées de la carte, complètement submergées. C'est bien une menace pour la paix dans les Etats insulaires au moins.»

Et si le Conseil de Sécurité continue de s'estimer incompétent en matière de changement climatique, le fait même qu'il ait répondu à la proposition de résolution de Nauru et des autres petits Etats insulaires, c'est déjà une victoire pour Marcus Stephen:

«On ne peut pas révolutionner les choses du jour au lendemain, la machine administrative de l'ONU est très lente, donc le fait que nous ayons obtenu une réponse, une déclaration du Président du Conseil de Sécurité, c'est très positif pour nous les Etats insulaires du Pacifique. Surtout qu'au début du débat, c'était mal parti, on s'attendait à n'obtenir aucune réponse à notre motion, donc ce n'est pas spectaculaire mais c'est un vrai pas en avant.»

Marcus Stephen, le Président de Nauru, répondait à Bruce Hill sur Radio Australie.

Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée: des déchets miniers potentiellement toxiques au fond de l'océan

Mardi, le juge Canning a autorisé le stockage sous-marin des déchets de la mine de nickel de Ramu. Les propriétaires traditionnels de la baie de l'Astrolabe, là où les déchets seront disposés, vont faire appel de cette décision.

Ils estiment, et ils ne sont pas les seuls, que les déchets vont provoquer des dommages environnementaux. Or la survie des populations alentour dépend étroitement de la bonne santé des récifs.

Le juge Canning s'est dit convaincu par les démonstrations des scientifiques, mais le gouvernement papou ayant déjà donné son feu vert, le juge ne pouvait pas s'opposer a sa décision.

Amanda Reichelt-Brushett est chercheuse à l'Ecole des Sciences de l'Environnement de l'Université australienne de la Croix du Sud, au sud de Brisbane. Elle est l'un des experts mandatés par le juge Canning. Et voici ce qu'elle prévoit en cas de fuite des déchets au fond de l'océan:

«La pollution serait à deux niveaux, tout au fond de l'océan et aussi, s'il y a une fuite, ces déchets pourraient remonter la colonne d'eau. Or même de petits changements de turbidité (donc des matieres qui troublent l"eau de l'océan, NDLR) peuvent avoir un impact sur la survie des coraux. Dans la baie de l'Astrolabe, il y a des espèces-clés de coraux, donc en cas de fuite des déchets tout les récifs seraient menacés.»

Reste que les scientifiques n'en sont tenus pour l'instant qu'aux hypothèses, car le dispositif de stockage sous-marin des déchets de la mine de Ramu serait le premier au monde. Et bien sûr parce que le fond de l'océan n'est pas l'endroit le plus facilement accessible. Amanda Reichelt-Brushett:

«Les déchets sont un mélange complexe et les scientifiques ne comprennent pas encore précisement quelle réaction géochimique ces déchets peuvent provoquer dans l'océan à plus de 100 mètres de profondeur. Parce que nous ne pouvons pas explorer ces profondeurs en plongée. Le gouvernement a donné son feu vert au stockage sous-marin des déchets de la mine de nickel, mais aussi, en même temps, des déchets des campements de la mine, donc il y aura aussi les eaux usées, ce qui complexifie les déchets et changera la chimie de l'environnement. Je pense qu'il faut mettre en place un groupe d'experts indépendants pour aider la mine à prendre des mesures de protection pour l'environnement. Mais de toute facon, c'est une opération à haut risque. Contrairement au stockage souterrain des déchets, pour lequel on peut réagir rapidement en cas de fuite, là on ne pourra rien faire. On ne pourra pas descendre au fond de l'océan, isoler les substances toxiques et les ramener sur terre. Il serait de toute façon trop tard.»

AUSTRELIA:

33)Mystery over Australian's death in PNG

Liam Fox, PNG correspondent

Papua New Guinea police believe an Australian man has been murdered in the capital, Port Moresby.

Villagers found John Hulse's body beside a road on the outskirts of the city on Monday.

The 62-year-old dual Australian and British citizen was reported missing by friends the day before.

Superintendent Dominic Kakas said that on Saturday, Mr Hulse went to meet someone who had called him to say they had found his passport.

He never returned.

The officer said: "Mr Hulse was reported to have told his friends that he was going alone to that certain location."

Police are treating his death as a murder.

They say Mr Hulse lived on a boat at the Royal Papua Yacht Club and worked for a catering company.28/7/11abc

34)Australian airline accused of exploitation

The Australian budget airline, Jetstar, has been accused of exploiting cabin crew and demanding they work 20-hour shifts, compromising cabin safety.

Current and former crew members of the Qantas-owned budget airline say the practice leaves them extremely fatigued.

Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan has rejected the claims and says the company has "the highest level" of fatigue risk-management procedures in place.

One former Jetstar flight attendant, who wishes to be called James, says Jetstar's popular afternoon flight from Sydney to Bali is no trip to paradise for staff.

"You start at four in the afternoon and you finish back in Sydney at seven the next morning," he told the ABC's Lateline.

"It was horrible. I felt like a slave.

"I've had a couple of times where I've had a delay on the Bali flight and that 14-, 15-hour shift would turn into a 19-hour, 20-hour shift."

Captain Richard Woodward, from the Australian and International Pilots Association, says cabin crew do not have the same industrial agreements as pilots.

"The cabin crew are suffering very badly because they don't have a regulated limit on how many hours they can do, particularly foreign crews, and so they are working maximum hours," he said.

"For instance, they are doing Sydney to Bali and back. That's about a 17-hour night - that's very, very fatiguing.

"The pilots fortunately have an industrial agreement."

The practice of making the Jetstar crews fly return shifts, rather than staying overnight like pilots, was raised by independent Senator Nick Xenophon in the Senate inquiry into airline safety earlier this year.

"When cabin crew tell me if there is an emergency they do not think they would be able to cope at the end of a 17- or 18- or 20-hour shift, then it really gives you cause for concern," he said at the time.

And concerns about fatigue are not confined to Jetstar's international flights.

Lateline has obtained over 60 incident reports that show that at least 37 crew members have filed complaints this year to Jetstar management about fatigue and exhaustion after flying the Sydney to Perth and Sydney to Darwin routes.

They have also raised serious concerns about the cabin crews' ability to deal with emergencies.

Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan says rostered shifts only last up to 14 hours, irrespective of contracts of third-party providers.

"I think a lot of the claims are completely false and I entirely deny them," he told ABC News Breakfast.

Mr Buchanan said there are situations where people may have to work beyond their rostered shift, but that is part of working in the airline industry.

"If someone is extending, we take them off the next day and make sure they get some rest," he said.

"Fatigue risk management is about creating rest periods, either when they are flying or when they are on the ground.

"We ask people whenever they are fatigued to put their hands up and say they are fatigued and we will take them off that shift."

A Thailand-based cabin crew was threatened with the sack after flight attendants complained they were too tired to operate a Sydney to Melbourne flight.

The Bangkok-based flight attendants are employed by a company called Tour East Thailand, and Jetstar says it was not at all comfortable with warning letters sent by the firm to some staff.

"We have told them that that's unacceptable and if they are going to continue to be a provider of cabin crew for us, then they need to get in line with our standards," Buchanan said.

"We've gone back to the supplier, when we were aware of the allegations yesterday, and I said 'Look, that may be acceptable to other airlines where you chastise and intimidate them but that's not just part of the standards of the Qantas group and we find it unacceptable that you've issued these letters'.

"Irrespective of what a third party contract provider puts into contracts, it's really about what we do with our rostering practices."
28/7/11 SOURCE: ABC/PACNEWS

PACIFIC:

35)Pacific governments urged to value ecosystems- http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/story.htm?id=42530

36)Academic tracing Pacific war babies fathered by US World War Two soldiers

History researchers at New Zealand's Otago University are appealing to Pacific Island families who think they may be related to American veterans of World War Two.

Professor Judith Bennett is leading a team which is helping trace the several hundred offspring of American soldiers stationed in the Pacific between 1942 and 1945.

She says the team's work hopes to fill an important gap in the history of the Pacific by forming a collection of stories from children whose fathers were soldiers.

She says each story so far has been unique and she is hoping to build up a series of narratives.

"How did this affect their lives? How did this affect particularly their own children. The grandchildren of that American are often the ones most interested in finding out about this ancestor. Possibly because they're a bit more, you know, they're not as close to it as their mother was."

Professor Bennett says there has been great participation so far from those in the Cook Islands, Kiribati and Solomon Islands.

But she is particularly keen to hear from families in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji who can contact her through the Otago University website.

28/7/11 Radio New Zealand International

37)ADB REPORT: PRODUCTIVITY KEY TO ECONOMIC GROWTH
Says possible three to five percent growth per year

By Jemima Garrett
MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, July 27, 2011) - The Pacific region can achieve economic growth of 3 to 5 percent per year if productivity is improved, an Asian Development Bank (ADB) study says.

The report, featured in the ADB's latest Pacific Economic Monitor, says raising education standards has significant potential to boost longterm economic growth.

The ADB says all countries in the region could benefit from improving their business environments and infrastructure, and reducing corruption.

Vanuatu is expected to post the highest growth - with 5 per cent per year expected until 2030.

The ADB's chief Pacific economist, Chris Edmond told Pacific Beat the results indicated the Pacifc would "fall further and further behind" its Asian neighbours.

"What we see with the Pacific economies is historically they've accumulated capital labour at much lower rates than their Asian neighbours. And at the same time, the efficiency with which they use those resources has been much, much lower than we see in most countries in the Asia region."

Mr. Edmond pointed to Samoa as an example of strong economic growth in the region.

"Samoa's probably the one Pacific island country that has most aggressively reformed its economy, gotten the government out of inappropriate activities and reformed its markets to attract both domestic and foreign investment."

Radio Australia: www.abc.net.au/ra

WORLD:

38)Indonesia pilots strike

Pilots at Indonesia's Garuda Airlines have launched a 24-hour nationwide strike over pay.

Company officials say the striking pilots have been replaced with training pilots and those in management desk jobs.

It said there will be no disruptions to flights.

Union members are demanding equal compensation between the flag-carrier's Indonesian and foreign pilots, who they say are paid double the local rate.

The Garuda Pilots Union senior official, Jose Rizal, says members voted for the action when they found out three pilots had been intimidated and forced to fly by the management.

He says the strike was called after a week of talks with management went nowhere.28/7/11abc

39)Japan may end Antarctic whaling

Japan has raised the possibility of ending its annual whale hunt in the Antarctic.

In a review conducted by Japan's fisheries agency, the possibility of Japan discontinuing whaling in the Antarctic is mentioned as an option.

It is the first time any Japanese Government agency has raised the possibility of putting an end to so-called research whaling.

But the report also includes the option of continuing the program, as well as scaling it down.

The review was set up after the Sea Shepherd conservation group forced an early end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic in February.

28/7/11 SOURCE: RADIO AUSTRALIA/PACNEWS

CLIMATE CHANGE:

40)NAURU PRESIDENT: U.N. SECURITY MEETING POSITIVE
Recognizing global threat is step forward

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, July 27, 2011) - Nauru's President says a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York has taken a step towards recognizing climate change as a global security threat.

But Marcus Stephen says the council did not go as far as Nauru and other small island states would have liked.

There had been talk of setting up a United Nations force that could intervene in conflicts caused by climate change- to be called "Green Helmets" - but that idea was not accepted.

Nevertheless, Mr. Stephen has told Pacific Beat that overall he is pleased Nauru's voice was able to be heard, including in an article he wrote for the influential New York Times newspaper.

"We cannot expect things to be done overnight," he said. The UN process is very slow. To get a response from the Chair of the Security Council is very positive and good."Radio Australia: www.abc.net.au/ra

SPORT:

41)Liku lifts her way to No.1 in Oceania region

Fiji's female lifter, Maria Liku recorded her most outstanding performance at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in New Caledonia last week in a test event.

The 20-year old totaled 180kg to take her into number one position in the 58kg category Oceania senior rankings; snatching 80kg and a clean and jerk of 100kg.

Liku is now favorite to win three gold medals; snatch, clean and jerk and total at the forthcoming Pacific Games.

She is also now ranked second in the Commonwealth senior rankings. Before her latest lift, Liku was placed fourth in the Arafura Games in Darwin with a total of 152kg.

She joined the Institute last month, under intensive training from Paul Coffa and his team.

Another Fijian top athlete, Manueli Tulo, competing in the 56kg category, snatched 107kg, and clean & jerked 130kg, for a 237kg total.

This result also has pushed Tulo back in to first place ranking in the Oceania seniors. He is also in line for gold medals at the Pacific Games.

Apolonia Vaivai who is the third lifter to join the Institute snatched 80kg which puts her in the snatch section, equal first in the Pacific rankings. She clean & jerked 90kg and totaled 170kg.

This puts her third overall in the Pacific rankings. Since arriving at the Institute a month ago, Vaivai has improved her standing.
28/7/11 SOURCE: FIJI LIVE/PACNEWS

42)Pacific Games preparations on schedule a month out

Organisers of the Pacific Games in New Caledonia say preparations are on track exactly one month out from the competitions opening ceremony.

Three and a half thousand athletes, 1500 officials and about 150 thousand visitors are expected to descend on New Caledonia from the end of August for the 14th edition of the Games.

Gaelle Darmon from the Games Organising Committee says the biggest challenge still remaining is managing the logistics of the event across the ten host cities.

She says the buzz around New Caledonia is building with locals looking forward to hosting the 22 competing nations.

"They're all very excited about it. The torch relay is a great success in all the villages and cities on its route. The torch travelled through New Caledonia for 42 days up to the opening ceremony. It's a great great fiesta."

Meanwhile, the cost of winning gold in the Pacific Games is already being felt by the Fiji Athletics Federation with less than a month to the official opening.

President, Albert Miller said they still have to meet their levy requirement in sending a team of 29 athletes to the Games.

Miller added that one of their biggest expenses is paying $6,000 for three of their USA based athletes to be part of the team but they have faith that with this obstacle they will deliver the much needed results.

Pacific Games in New Caledonia will start on the 27th of next month.

28/7/11 /SOURCE: RNZI/ FIJI LIVE/PACNEWS

43)Papua New Guinea to host 2011 Oceania Cup

The Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) today announced that the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) will host the 2011 Oceania Cup to be held in Port Moresby, between 29 November and 8 December 2011.

The President of Papua New Guinea Rugby Union, Richard Sapias, is delighted that Papua New Guinea will be hosting the 2011 Oceania Cup, providing the people of PNG with an opportunity to witness some of the region's exciting development unions in action.

"The PNGRFU is extremely excited at the opportunity to host the Oceania Cup in 2011. Our region boasts a rich rugby tradition, and the Oceania Cup will provide a great opportunity for the players of the Region's Development Unions to gauge themselves against their Island rugby cousins," said Sapias.

"We also look forward to contributing towards promoting and expanding the Oceania Cup brand in the region as the stepping stone for all Oceania Development Unions to aspire to the next level of high performance rugby" he added.

Oceania Cup Tournament Director, Michael Groom, says that the PNGRFU has hosted major International Rugby events in past, and will deliver a successful tournament.

"In recent years the PNGRFU has hosted Rugby World Cup qualifiers and Oceania Cup Finals, they have an enthusiastic event management team and they will be excellent hosts for the participating Oceania Cup teams, officials and media," said Groom.

"We're very excited to be taking one of our flagship events to Papua New Guinea, a Union which has achieved excellent progress in international rugby in recent years – including qualifying for the 2010 Junior World Rugby Trophy, Commonwealth Games (where they defeated Tonga and Canada to win the Bowl Final), the Asia Pacific Women's Sevens tournament (runners up), the HSBC Sevens World Series and of course reaching the final stage of qualification for Rugby World Cup 2011.

"There is huge growth potential for rugby in Papua New Guinea and the hosting of the Oceania Cup is an important step in our vision for rugby in PNG."

The nations set to compete in the Oceania Cup are American Samoa, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Papua New Guinea are the defending Oceania Cup Champions.28/7/11 SOURCE: IRB/PACNEWS

44)Brisbane Broncos fly PNG expansion flag

Friday night's NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium will have a distinct Papua New Guinea flavour as part of Brisbane's sponsorship of PNG's 2015 expansion bid team.

Brisbane have tagged the clash with Cronulla "PNG Day", swapping their regular playing socks to wear PNG's national black, red and yellow colours to highlight their support for the bid to get a team in the NRL.

With a record six successive State of Origin series wins, record crowds and record TV ratings, Queensland lacks nothing in rugby league passion.

But in terms of league fanaticism, PNG may have the state covered.

With the appointment last week of a new commission, expansion is set to become one of rugby league's hot issues and PNG believe they can put together an appealing argument for 2015.

They point to an extremely high player participation rate in the only country in the world which can boast rugby league is truly its national sport.

"People up here play the game anytime and anywhere they can - on footy ovals, patches of grass, even dirt," said PNG NRL bid chief executive Brad Tassell.

"On the night of Origin I this year, nine giant TV screens were erected around Port Moresby and we estimate just on 100,000 people watched the game - a quarter of the city's population, the atmosphere was incredible."

As part of their sponsorship, Brisbane will offer PNG nationals living in south-east Queensland a special ticket price for the game, while the PNG Sing Sing tribe will perform on field prior to kick-off.

The Broncos currently display the bid team's logo on their playing shorts.

Some of the bid team members who'll attend the game believe a recently-inked agreement between them and PNG Sports Minister Philemon Embel can only enhance the country's expansion hopes.

"This partnership will deliver strong game development outcomes and ensure that we can learn from a great club like the Broncos how to build a successful rugby league culture and business model," Embel said.

"Our investment in this partnership is about providing assistance to advance rugby league in PNG. It will also lay the foundations around building a strong PNG bid brand and create the awareness we need as we move towards establishing ourselves as a highly-competitive franchise bid."

Tassell believes PNG will offer one of the strongest bids in 2015, a year NRL chief executive David Gallop has indicated is a more likely time for expansion than 2013.
"We are well on our way to achieving this and by then we will have a stadium in place, a long sustainable business model and strong revenue streams," said the former Roosters NRL player.

"We are also currently building a national development program which will help push our case for inclusion in the NRL competition." 28/7/11 SOURCE: 9 SPORTS/PACNEWS

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A Traditional Maori Powhiri Welcome for Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara: Where Two Indigenous Cultures Meet - Whenua o Ngati Poneke & Fijians

2011-07-20T19:19:00.009+12:00

Tomorrow is scheduled to be a hectic day for Ratu Tevita in Wellington. Although there has been many controversial comments from several quarters of Fiji people living in Aotearoa, one thing for sure, the two Traditional values of Maori-dom & Fijians remains strong.

Tomorrow morning will be a historic event for many Fijians who will accompany Ratu Tevita to the Marae where he will be accorded the auspicious Maori Powhiri. The ladies and men from the Chiefly island of Lau are also prepared to accompany their young Chief and present him to the 'Kaumatua & Whenua o Ngati Poneke'. This will be a very special event which will cut across the political divide or tensions that is plaguing Fiji and New Zealand and the rest of the neighboring islands.

This visit is purely a traditional one and done in the Spirit of Maori-dom & Traditional Fijian Cultures. It is where the two Indigenous Cultures will meet. At the very least, Ratu Tevita can be assured that he has done his 'sevusevu' to the 'Kaumatua & Whenua Ngati Poneke'. It promises to be a memorable event.

The evening event tomorrow Thursday 21/7/2011, as can be seen in the flyer being circulated, Ratu Tevita will share his tsories to the Fijian Communities at 7pm at Pipitea Marae. Again we are told Ratu Tevita will again be given the Fijian traditional 'pomp & ceremony' only accorded to visiting Fijian Chiefs or visiting dignatories who may not necessarily be Fijians in their ethnicity.

We wish you well in your meeting in Wellington and what the Fijians have prepared for you here.

"Moce'' Hawaii: Uto ni Yalo Voyage Updates:

2011-07-14T17:56:00.002+12:00

Latest Update

Moce Hawaii
14 July 2011

Tuesday, 13th July, 2011

Report by Lee-Anne Lee

Leaving Kauai the last island for us to visit in the Hawaiian group was a very sad and emotional time for all of us. Saying bye to the many new friends we had met along the way was hard but we knew we would meet again someday. It was also a time to reflect on the many blessings we have had during this journey and I must say how lucky we are to be Fijians. The many Fijians and friends we met along the way from Hilo to Maui, Oahu and Kauai who welcomed us into their homes, from hot showers, food, taking the crew shopping and sight seeing, we couldn't have asked for more. It's no wonder why we are called the friendly Fijians. Even the crew from the other canoes commented on how lucky we have been.

It was also a difficult time for the crew as we sailed away from Kauai leaving our fellow crew member Kaiafa Ledua ashore who has to travel back home for personal reasons. He was not only our head Traditional Navigator but was also very instrumental in teaching the crew all we know. He will surely be missed on this leg of our journey. On the other hand we welcome Vilisoni Yalikanacea, Seru Saumakidonu, Kelekele Lausi and Lina Naigulevu who replaced William (Billy Boy), Christopher, Carson and Josua which left us in Oahu.

As we journey onto San Francisco we must now refocus on the purpose of our voyage which is saving our Ocean. After the 4 day conference in Oahu and learning more about how much danger our ocean is really in we all realize even more how important this voyage is and how we need to speak up and be heard. Voicing the purpose of this voyage to the many people we have met along the way we know that it is a start to saving our Ocean.

Vinaka Vaka Levu to the many people who helped us in so many ways and made our stay so memorable from Hilo to Maui, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai. A big vinaka vaka levu from all the crew of the UNY. We definitely miss you all already. The stories are spinning 24 hrs onboard.

To our family, friends and loved ones please keep us in your prayers as we sail onto San Francisco.

Mahalo and Lolomas from the Uto Ni Yalo crew!

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FICAC ordered by Aiyaz Khaiyum not to investigate FHL

2011-07-12T18:55:00.003+12:00

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FICAC ordered by Aiyaz Khaiyum not to investigate FHL

via Raw Fiji News by rawfijinews on 11/07/11

Struggling unknown lawyer and new regime appointed Chairman of FHL Carl Ngmoki-Cameron

A follow up on Fijian Holdings Limited shareholder, Sakiusa Raivoce's letter of complaint to Fiji Islands Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), requesting an investigation into that publicly listed indigenous Fijian owned company reveal that FICAC has discriminated Raivoce by refusing to action his request.

Raivoce's letter of complaint dated July 28th, 2009 was the catalyst for the removal of FHL's regime appointed Chairman, Isoa Kaloumaira, it's deputy Chairman, Colonel Aziz Mohammed, CEO Sereana Qoro and some other key Board members and executive staff.

So how does FICAC choose which complaint to investigate and which ones to avoid?

Sources within FICAC say verbal orders from Aiyaz Sayed Kaiyum are often received on which cases to investigate or otherwise.

Unfortunately for Raivoce, his has been identified by Aiyaz as a "no touch" case even-though the concerns he raised have been proven true based on the public announcements made by FHL itself to the South Pacific Stock Exchange where they are listed.

How long will Aiyaz Khaiyum continue to deny Raivoce of a fair court hearing and why is he so prejudicial against Raivoce's genuine concerns?

Below are previous threads we posted on Raivoce's case:

In a letter submitted to Fiji's anti-corruption unit FICAC by FHL shareholder, Sakiusa Raivoce in July 28th, 2009 , he verily persuaded FICAC to launch an investigation into the affairs of FHL soon after it was announced that more than $3.7million has been wasted by the FHL board in its failed BP Oil deal.

It seems that Colonel Raivoce is a no-nonsense kinda guy not afraid to stand up to the junta appointed FHL board to safe-guard his investment there.

So where exactly are things at with FICAC's investigation on FHL?

We've been told that sweet bugger all has been done by FICAC, eventhough millions of dollars have already been lost in a doomed deal the FHL board was warned not to touch by its shareholders.

Perhaps blogger josycam's response to our previous post on Raivoce's letter to FICAC's makes a lot of sense.

josycam said

August 11, 2009 at 1:49 am

Where are we heading, FICAC is not an independent body anymore. A genuine concern has been raised here that require FICAC to investigate but instead, they investigate the complainant.

It is no use reporting a case to the FICAC or the Police because we have got a officials, police & Judiciary who is hell bent on producing pro IG verdicts otherwise a kick in the ass.

I quote Bainimarama's word to the soldiers "Na noda saga me lako na noda vanua ena dua na i tuvatuva vinaka". Is this a tuvatuva vinaka or it is just oppressing the ordinary citizens when they are noticing a tuvatuva ca that is going on.

The soldiers and the current ministers and PS and commisioners are just an example of people who had been hood winked into the clean up campaign or the Tuvatuva vinaka but they had been blinded by the 30 pieces of silver or the dangling carrots. Bainimarama said that the Military will not benefit from this coup but we can see that the Military Officers are filling up the vacant civil service position and making it a military service position. What a rot?

Those who benefit from this campaign will not let go and they are prepared to loose their dignity for the 30 pieces of silver.

God bless Fiji.

Tuvatuva vinaka by making people redundant from their work and no money to feed their families and the increasing the rate of crime from unemployment.

We said back then in our August 10th post – this is the letter believed to have gotten Sakiusa Raivoce into trouble. We were able to, through our sources, verify and confirm with FICAC that this is a true copy of the letter sent to them by Raivoce.

It is understood that Raivoce was arrested under the instruction of Col Aziz Mohammed, deputy chairman of Fijian Holdings, in cohorts with Police Commish Teleni.

No official charges was laid on Raivoce even-though he was detained in a cell for two nights.

Tuesday, 28^th July, 2009.

Mr George Langman,

Deputy Commissioner,

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption,

Cnr. of Kimberly St and Gordon St,

SUVA.

Dear Sir,

RE – APPEAL FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE TERMINATED FHL/BP SOUTHWEST PACIFIC ACQUISITION

This letter serves to advise you that I, Sakiusa Raivoce, a citizen of the Republic of Fiji, and a Class A shareholder of Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL), wish to lodge an official complaint against FHL's current board and senior executives for the following reasons:

the non-tradability of my (and other shareholders) FHL shares due to the recent suspension of FHL as per South Pacific Stock Exchange announcement on Monday, 27^th July, 2009,

the board's defiance not to heed mine and other shareholders (provincial councils and others) public warnings on their rushed decision to sign the now terminated $190 million sale and purchase agreement with BP South West Pacific (BP SWP) without proper due diligence,

for gross negligence, incompetence, failing to protect mine and other shareholders best investment interest and other breaches of duty of care as required of board of directors under FHL's Memorandum and Articles of Association, in conformity with the company's corporate governance requirements and Fiji's Companies Act.

Consistent with your organization's previous investigations into FHL, I urge FICAC to apply the same level of enthusiasm and urgency in instigating a thorough investigation into FHL's :

basis of the FHL/BP SWP terminated sale and purchase agreement,

associated costs relating to the terminated acquisition such as management fees to the Hindustani Petroleum Company, legal fees, financial advisory fees, non-refundable component of the deposits , other professional or consultancy fees, travel expenses and all other similar costs incurred during the due diligence process,

adherence or non-adherence to FHL's corporate governance requirements,

other matters relating to FHL's operations that has greatly disadvantaged me and other FHL shareholders in the short, medium and long term.

Sir, I'm on record as the outspoken FHL individual shareholder who publicly denounced FHL board's decision to embark on their bid to buy BP SWP.

My life and that of my family, including our personal properties, was attacked by unknown persons following my interviews on TV, radio and daily newspapers where I publicly announced my grave concerns on the apparent lack of good commercial sense by the FHL board, in signing a sale and purchase agreement without first securing a financier to fund the $190 million they offered to BP SWP.

Now that the acquisition has been terminated, I believe it is only appropriate that FICAC immediately conduct an investigation into FHL's affairs to protect shareholders interest.

Sir, I look forward to your prompt action to the above matter.

Yours Sincerely,

Signed by

SAKIUSA RAIVOCE

(FHL Shareholder)

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Pension Tensions in Fiji

2011-07-04T18:33:00.002+12:00

Sent to you by fijian-kiwigal via Google Reader:

Pension Tensions in Fiji

via discombobulated bubu by discombobulated on 1/07/11

A fascinating series of emails (thanks to the Intelligensiya blogspot) between Ross McDonald, Fiji pensioner and the powers-that-be , have emerged, showing the attempts by the Sri Lankan Chairman of Fiji's Pension Funds to :

- cast blame and aspersions on those that went before him
- disregard any responsibility befalling his position
- cow-tow to the military regime by hiding the various reports that the public have a right to see
- ignore pensioners' grave concerns & questions regarding their hard earned savings
- deliberately fudge figures and percentages that need to be public knowledge.

Intelligensiya has also asked a very pertinent question :

How has our NATIONAL PENSION FUND ended up under the control of a Sri Lankan expatriate, one Ajith Kodagoda, while he is still an official consul of Sri Lanka to Fiji, and a migrant on a temporary visa working for a private company ???

See the emails here.

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Lets Take a Change of Scenery - Shall We: Via Kiwi- David Farrar's Eyes "Around Wales"

2011-06-28T17:17:00.004+12:00

Sent to you by fijian-kiwigal via Google Reader:

Around Wales

via Kiwiblog by David Farrar on 27/06/11

Drove west over to Swansea and the Gower Peninsula. Very amused to find these cows sleeping in the middle of a roundabout. This was not unique – unlike NZ, many Welsh farms are not fenced in. Cows, sheep and even horses roam next to and across some of the roads.

All along Gower, there are cliffs and the ocean. Magnificent views.

Many of the roads are what I call tree tunnels. They are barely wide enough for one car, but believe it or not are two-way roads. Beautiful roads to drive along, but you drive very slowly and should be prepared to reverse often.

These are the remains of Oxwich Castle. It is also home to a display about the history of Wales which was very interesting.

This is the view from the Worm's Head Tavern at Rhossili. Had a nice lunch here and the views are to die for. Which would happen if you fell over the edge.

This sheep is enjoying the good life.

If you walk for a km or so you get to the western most point, where you can descend down and at low tide cross over to the "Worm's Head". it does indeed look like a worm with a head. You need to time it carefully as if you stay over there for too long, you will be trapped for 12 hours.

Another view of the beach at Rhossili

These horses are at Cefn Bryn.

This is Arthur's Stone. The legend is he threw a stone from Llanelli which landed here. In reality is is a burial site from the neolithic period, so is up to 10,000 years old.

The ruins of Swansea Castle in Swansea.

The interior of Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.

Outside the cathedral they've got hectares of old cemeteries to rumage through.

This is Caerphlliy Castle, north of Cardiff. It is the second largest in the UK, and well worth a look around.

On the way out of Wales, popped into Caerleon. It was home to a Roman legion and fort, and one can see the remains of Roman baths plus this amphitheatre. There is also a free museum with artefacts from the era.

Caerleon is also where Camelot was located according to Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Leaving Wales via the second Severn Bridge – 5 kms long.

I was not planning to visit Wales as traditionally the reputation of Cardiff especially has been rather dour. But really glad we did. Cardiff is a lovely city, and South Wales is beautiful – the Gower Peninsula especially was just great to drive around.

Tags: DPF, United Kingdom, Wales

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A 'Fijian' Letter to Hon Jon Key: Prime Minister of New Zealand

2011-06-26T17:51:00.007+12:00

From Mr Sai Lealea's desk:

Ni Bula Vinaka

Please feel free to send out the content of the email so community can email them to PM and McCully and also to their local MPs.

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The email format for MPs is (first name.second name@parliament.govt.nz)

Rt Hon John Key

Prime Minister

Parliament Buildings

WELLINGTON

Dear Prime Minister

On behalf of the Fiji Pro-Democracy Movement in Wellington, I am seeking support to extend Ratu Tevita Mara's Visa for up to two weeks when he visits New Zealand early next month.

The extension of his Visa will enable Fijians in Wellington and other parts of New Zealand to engage and meet with Ratu Tevita over their many concerns about their home country Fiji. We also regard Ratu Tevita's visit as providing a unique opportunity to learn and be part of efforts to return Fiji to democratic rule.

You will no doubt be aware that due to strict reporting restrictions in Fiji, we have been unable to learn or follow key developments in Fiji that directly impact on Fijians in New Zealand. These include, among others:

· Changes underway to Fiji's national savings and retirement scheme – Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF)

· Changes to utilisation of Fijian land

· Changes to Fijian institutions at national, provincial and village levels; and

· Ideas and ways in which we could contribute to support our families and efforts underway to move Fiji closer to civilian rule.

We note that Australia's decision to grant Ratu Tevita an extended stay has enabled him to travel to key States there meeting and sharing with Fijians about the real situation in Fiji. This has been very well received by those involved and has led to renewed optimism and hope that both Australia and New Zealand's stance on Fiji are well grounded and supported. In fact some of us would like to see an escalation in efforts to further target sanctions against those from both New Zealand and Australia who are aiding the regime of Frank Bainimarama. Like Ratu Tevita, we share the view that while current sanctions are working, there is scope for it to be further strengthened.

I also know most Fijians in New Zealand would welcome the opportunity to meet and engage with Ratu Tevita despite his previously high profile role in the current regime in Fiji. This desire is based on the fact that Ratu Tevita has willingly accepted the role he played in the 2006 Coup and his readiness to face up to the consequences on return to normalcy in Fiji. To Fijians, receiving and engaging Ratu Tevita is in no way condoning the part he played in the 2006 Coup, but merely extending common courtesy and Fijian generosity to someone who has turned from his bad ways. Therein lie the opportunity to utilise and support Ratu Tevita in his quest to inform governments about the real situation back in Fiji as well as sharing a common way forward via the Ten Point Plan that was recently launched in Canberra, Australia.

While others may have voiced a contrary position, we are firmly of the view there is nothing to be gained by not working with someone who's willing to put his guts and soul to secure the same outcome we're all been seeking for Fiji. Whatever side of the argument one takes on this issue, there is no doubt we're all united that we want a return to democracy for Fiji and soon. The people in Fiji and the nation deserve it and are crying out for it. To quibble about Ratu Tevita's motives or indeed his sincerity to rid Fiji of the dictatorship there is sadly missing the real objective of all our efforts.

Thank you for the opportunity to place before you our request for an extension to Ratu Tevita's Visa and to appraise the government of New Zealand about our genuine desire to learn of the real situation in Fiji.

Yours sincerely

Mr Sai Lealea

Interim President
Wellington Fiji Pro-Democracy Movement

Reflection by Luvei Viti Think Tank Forum

We totally endorse Mr Sai Lealea's letter and will be out there to see that the Freedom Fiji people once enjoyed be restored in its totallity. If Roko Ului's visit is to be that link so be it.

LV Team

Frank’s National Provident Fund a good case for International Criminal Court

2011-06-23T17:25:00.002+12:00

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Frank’s National Provident Fund a good case for International Criminal Court

via Raw Fiji News by rawfijinews on 22/06/11

Frank's National Provident Fund board and management should be very cautious implementing their proposed reform in July 1st, 2011.

Disadvantaging 10,836 Fijian pensioners by illegally slashing their pensions from their current annuity rate between 25%-15% down to about 8.5%, which converts to well below the poverty line of $180 per week for most, is another significant case of crime against humanity by Frank's junta and his FNPF cronies.

It's the kind of wholesale crime against humanity that the International Criminal Court don't take lightly, especially when it involves helpless elderly disadvantaged civilians whose lives will soon become a misery if the junta's FNPF board and management have their way.

And here are the people behind this crime against the Fijian pensioners:

Illegal Attorney General Aiyaz Khaiyum, illegal Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and illegal FNPF Chairman Ajith Kodagoda

Other culprits not in the picture :

Board Members and Trustees

Taito Waqa

Tom Ricketts

Tevita Kuruvakadua

Sashi Singh

Management

Aisake Taito

Jaoji Koroi

Waqairawai

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Fiji Labour Party Stalwarts & Opportunists Lobbying Already: How Pathetic!! Radio New Zealand Appears to be Feeding off this Mr Nobody 'Nik Naidu'!!

2011-06-19T12:45:00.008+12:00

Reflections: Who is Nik Naidu to be given so much airtime in New Zealand speaking on behalf of all Fiji people living in New Zealand. We do not know him and have no interest in his part of co-ordinating his Fiji Labour Party movement as it appears to be. If for anthing these hard core Fiji-Indian group sitting up in Auckland with Alton Shameem & Co are the very ones that had propped up Bainimarama & Khaiuyum making Fiji in the mess it is now.

A case in point, lets ask Nik Naidu & Co, who was the Indian business men/women that helped Blue Chips in Auckland struck a deal with Fiji National Provident Fund to proceed with hotel developments in Momi Beach which then became bankrupt? Who was their contact sitting in the Ministry that actually signed the documents agreeing for the release of Fiji National Provident Funds towards the project? These are just some of minute questions we would like Nik Naidu & Co a group of Fiji Indian business men/women that have tried to flag themselves as wannabe leaders just because Roko Ului is hard out trying to resolve the impasse Fiji is in.

Like it or lump it, we do not know you Nik Naidu & we will organise ourselves the way we want to not your way.
If Radio New Zealand gives you airtime for your thoughts and views, we don''t because we have no idea who you are and what you have done for Fiji to be claiming to be a spokesperson for God knows which segment.
By Luvei Viti Think Tank Team.

From: Nik Naidu [mailto:Nik@pcking.co.nz]
Sent: Tuesday, 14 June 2011 12:31 a.m.
To: Stuart Huggett; halia.haddad@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Jone Baledrokadroka; Tupeni Baba; K.N.Investments Ltd.; Asenaca Uluiviti; Robin Irwin
Subject: RE: Visit of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara to NZ

Stuart

Not sure what has brought about all these responses from you? As spokesperson, I am compelled to respond as you have gone 'public' with this.As mentioned to you, we are a Coalition of many groups, view points and people.

Out of the 20 committee members and people who were consulted, 4 have your point of view, 12 agree with what was in the media release, and we have yet to hear from the other 4. Now our decision making process is that we go with the majority view - that is democracy in action! 3 of the 4 that think Mr Mara should be allowed to visit NZ - respect this decision and have accepted it. You are the 4th person - but you have chosen to go public with your disagreement, and lobby against it! However, this is your democratic right and we respect it, but it appears we need to clarify our position further.

Also, as mentioned to you on the phone on Saturday, your thinking around this is understood, but we work on a consensus, and our final media release (after 5 drafts!) is also consistent with and inline with our aims, and what we have been saying since 1987.

And also as mentioned on the phone, your view is also respected, and we feel you should respect the committee's stand. This is how we have worked since 1987, and there are many times when I, for example, have personally had to tone down or compromise what I felt. Can we not agree to disagree on certain things? We cannot have it all our way - that, I think is hinging on a dictatorship? And do we not want the same things for Fiji - equality, respect for human rights, following the rule of law, justice and fairness for all it's people?

The Coalition for Democracy in Fiji does not formulate policy with regards to whether it pleases the illegal military regime in Fiji or not. It stands on principle. We are not a political organisation and do not align ourselves with any political party. We are a human rights organisation.

We believe in a peaceful non-violent solution to Fiji's future - what message do you send if you have a torturer and military person as your 'poster boy'?

And not sure what other movements for democracy you are talking about? There is possibly one other political-party-sponsored group and another ethnically-aligned movement in Australia which supports democracy. And not sure why this issue or disagreement on a matter of principle should 'split' any groups that are in support of democracy? Surely, you should give us all more credit - we will not 'split-up' just because of a disagreement on the granting of entry to an army colonel., who until recently was very much disliked by these other 'significant number of Fiji people' that you mention. Those 3 that do not agree are still with us - and they have emailed back amicably with their views. It is hoped you are still with us? There are much wider and more important issues to debate and work on - such as the future of Fiji, rather than debating amongst ourselves on a 'suspect army has-been'.

This is just a storm in tea cup, and it will go blow over, as have many other similar issues have in the past, but we will still be here. We have made many dozens of statements in the past on upholding human rights, and opposing perpetrators of violence. How come Mr Mara is so special? Plus do we really want this sort of person being a champion of the pro-democracy movement?

And how is it that we are giving so much prominence to a military commander and a person who has committed treason and human rights abuses? And why 'look forward to him standing before a court to answer for them in due course' – why not put him on trial now? Are these the credentials that a (future) Fiji leader should have?

Are we that desperate and that vehement about our dislike for the current regime, that we are willing to compromise our principles and become supporters of a man who only until recently was carrying out gross human rights abuses?

Stuart – we need to stand firm on what we believe in, and not be swayed or tempted by unethical politicking.

By copy of this email, I am also bcc'ing it to the committee and wider-coalition.

Nik Naidu

From: Stuart Huggett [mailto:stuart@architectspacific.com]
Sent: Monday, 13 June 2011 5:16 p.m.
To: halia.haddad@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nik Naidu; Jone Baledrokadroka; Tupeni Baba; K.N.Investments Ltd.; Asenaca Uluiviti; Robin Irwin
Subject: Visit of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara to NZ

Dear Halia

My name is Stuart Huggett. I am an architect in NZ and Fiji and before the Fiji military coup of 2006 was the chairman of the Public Service Commission in Fiji.

I am writing to inform the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs that a significant number of Fiji people here in New Zealand do not agree with the stance taken by Mr Nik Naidu in his recent letter to the PM and yourself. Specifically we are disturbed that his recent statement will have the effect of splitting the democracy movement here just at the time when a major effort is required. This, of course is just the sort of outcome that the Fiji regime would relish. I am hoping that the movement here in New Zealand will be meeting during the coming week to provide a more coordinated response to events and I will keep you up to date with our deliberations.

To strengthen this opinion of support for the efforts of Ratu Mara I think it is significant that two ministers of the deposed Qarase government, currently here in New Zealand - Hon Robin Irwin and Hon Rajesh Singh - agree most emphatically with this point of view.

For your information I am copying below the text of my recent email to Nik Naidu on this matter:

Dear Nik

Further to our discussion yesterday evening I have to confirm my disagreement with this request to the NZ government. I think that now is the time for all the Democracy for Fiji movements around the world to stand up with a single voice and Mara, at last seems to be the person able to do this. Barring him from NZ makes this strategy much more difficult and is divisive. Frankly I see no difference between talking to John Samy as you do, and talking to Ului Mara - both are/were supporters of an illegal, treasonous and abusive regime which is steadily destroying Fiji. Mara, at least seems to have seen the light whereas Samy seems still to be part of the 'team'. As for Mara's various human rights crimes I look forward to him standing before a court to answer for them in due course - as he has indicated he is prepared to do.

By fragmenting the various democracy movements - as this proposal; does - pressure on the Fiji regime is diluted and far less effective, in fact, Bainimarama and Kaiyum would right now be hoping for exactly this outcome from Mara's defection.

Please let me know if I can help with any further information

Kindest regards
--
Stuart

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