PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from December 2004

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from December 2004

Bitter squabble ends French Polynesia poll deal.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 PARIS (Pacnews) - The crisis in French Polynesia seems set to revive after six days of talks yielded a tentative deal that broke down acrimoniously just two days later. The two main protagonists, anti-independence leader...

CNMI leaders urged to save garment industry.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - A senior official in the Northern Marianas Islands has called on local leaders to help save the island's garment industry. Administrators have been asked to convene a non-partisan summit to address the...

Striking New Caledonian workers ejected from television transmitter site.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 NOUMEA (Pacnews) - Police in New Caledonia have cleared a television transmitter site after it was occupied by union members in support of a strike at the public broadcaster, RFO. The strike is in its fourth month and a...

Major overhaul in Rural Bank sector.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Papua New Guinea's Rural Development Bank has undergone a major overhaul in a bid to turn it around by reducing the yearly operating cost from PGK12 million (USD$3.804m) to PGK18 million (USD$5. 706m)...

CEO suggests greater vision for Fiji tourism.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Chief Executive Officer of Fiji's Ministry of Tourism, Napolioni Masirewa, has indicated that a greater vision and diversification needed to uplift and improve the tourism sector. Speaking at the...

Two by-elections in Solomon Islands today.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Solomon Islanders have been going to the polls in the past two days to elect two new members of parliament. RNZI reports that The people of Ulawa-Ugi constituency will elect a new leader to replace...

PRESS STATEMENT: from the Office of Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer:.
December 1, 2004... World AIDS Day: Australia launches regional initiative CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - On World AIDS Day 2004 I am pleased to announce an initiative to bring more Australian expertise to the battle against HIV/AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region. ...

Fiji threatens retaliatory action against Vanuatu kava.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji has sent a strong diplomatic note to Vanuatu, giving the Pacific country 14 days to lift the ban on Fiji biscuits or face a ban on kava imports. Foreign Affairs Secretary, Isikeli Mataitoga confirmed...

Journalist says South Pacific media is "captive" to international donors.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 PACIFIC (Pacnews) - A book to be released in December challenges the Pacific media's dependence on international donors and its culture of "short course media training," New Zealand Journalism Online reported. Journalist...

Fiji PM suggests harmonised kava legislation for Pacific Islands Countries.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase has suggested harmonised regional kava legislation for all Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Speaking at the first international kava conference in Suva, Fiji this...

Goro Nickel plans first calls for fresh tender on site.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 NOUMEA (Pacnews) - New Caledonia's billion dollar nickel mine is set to enter a new construction phase later this month as it prepares to call for fresh tenders for the work. The mine's Canadian owners, Inco, has set up a...

Murder rate high for coloured women.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 QUEENSLAND (Pacnews) - Coloured women are 11 times more likely to be murdered than their white sisters in Australia, with indigenous women living in remote areas at extreme risk of fatal assault. A damning new report into...

PNG must address law and order : report.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Papua New Guinea (PNG) must seriously address problems of poor governance and law and order if its economic outlook is to improve, a new report says. A study of PNG by the Australian Department of...

HIV/AIDS educational material launched.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- As part of activities to mark World AIDS in Fiji, the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) launched educational material titled, "Faces and Voices of Pacific HIV". The video, audio and print material,...

Overstayer and kidney patient escapes conviction again.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 WAITAKERE (Pacnews) - A Tuvaluan overstayer and kidney patient has escaped a conviction in New Zealand for assaulting and threatening to kill his wife in a move which may save his life. Senee Niusila admitted the charges,...

Ratu Jope to report to Police station.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji's acting Commissioner of Prisons, Opeti Laladidi, has slapped a directive on former Vice President Ratu Jope Seniloli to report to Central Police Station (CPS) in Suva every month or he will go right back...

IRB looks to invest FJD$100m in rugby's future.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 LONDON (Pacnews) - The Oceania region will for the first time get direct representation in the International Rugby Board (IRB) executive council after a special meeting in Ireland called for more democratic representation from...

PRESS STATEMENT: By Rex Rumakiek, West Papuan Representative.
December 1, 2004... 01 DECEMBER 2004 (Pacnews) - Forty-three years ago today, democratically elected leaders of what was then known as Netherlands New Guinea or Dutch New Guinea raised the Morning Star Flag for the first time. The Morning Star flag was flown along...

French court upholds Flosse's election.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 PAPEETE (Pacnews) - The French State Council is expected to announce a ruling in two weeks time to uphold the results of the 22 October elections. The 22 October elections elected Gaston Flosse as the French Overseas...

Vote of no confidence motion against Vanuatu PM today.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- In Vanuatu, parliament is scheduled to debate today a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Serge Vohor. The motion has been put forward by the leader of the opposition, Sato Kilman, and supported...

Ireland lifts ban on direct calls to Cook Islands.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- Ireland's communications regulators have lifted the ban which took effect last month on direct dial telephone calls to 13 countries including the Cook Islands. The ban was an effort to crack down on...

Women must be equal partners to fight AIDS.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- As the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Papua New Guinea (PNG) slides towards proportions similar to those of sub-Saharan countries in Africa, authorities believe gender equality is crucial to stop the deadly...

Money laundering bill passed by Solomon Islands parliament.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Solomon Islands Parliament has passed a bill amending the 2002 Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crimes Act. Minister for Police, National Security, Justice and Legal Affairs Michael Maina said the...

Australian academic says Pacific economies can prosper.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- An Australian think tank says Pacific Island nations would have high standards of living within a generation if they adopted policies that promote growth. Professor Helen Hughes, a frequent critic...

Cook Islands forms new Demo party.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- Cook Islands Prime minister Dr Robert Woonton will become leader of a new party, which has joined forces with the rebel Democratic Party MPs. The formation of the new Demo Party Tumu was announced...

PNG MP dismissed for abuse of US$9 million public funds.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- A prominent Papua New Guinea MP has been dismissed from office for not properly accounting for the use of public funds. A leadership tribunal found the member for Usino Bundi, Peter Yama, guilty...

Tuvaluan family in hiding, after dad walks free from jail.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- The wife of the Tuvaluan dialysis patient who has twice walked free from New Zealand courts has gone into hiding with her children. Teremoana Niusila said yesterday that the judge who let her...

Fiji fishing vessel owner contests French Navy intervention.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- Fiji Fish Marketing managing director Graham Southwick has strongly disputed last week's intervention from the New Caledonia-based French Navy North of Ouvea Island in the Loyalty islands group. Last...

Call for action to save CNMI garment industry.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 SAIPAN (Pacnews) --- A senior official in the Northern Marianas has called on local leaders to help save the islands' garment industry. Administrators have been asked to convene a non-partisan summit to address the...

Fiji cabinet minister and four others charged with unlawful oath of office.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji's Information Minister, Simione Kaitani and four others have been formally charged with taking illegal oath office in May 2000. The five, are the latest to be taken to court for their involvement in...

Iraqi asylum seekers on Nauru offered Australian residency.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 CANBERRA (Pacnews) --- A total of 27 Iraqi asylum seekers being detained on the Pacific island of Nauru were today granted refugee status, with most to be offered residency in Australia. Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone...

French Polynesian politicians back from Paris.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 PAPEETE (Pacnews) --- French Polynesian politicians who went to Paris last week for talks with government authorities there are back in the country after the talks were suspended. Two of these leaders, Nicole Bouteau and...

Professor Tarr accepts USP appointment.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) ---The University of the South Pacific (USP) confirmed today that Professor Anthony Tarr, will formally take up his new appointment as vice chancellor of the regional university in May next year. As reported...

UN and Mauritius sign agreement on upcoming small islands conference.
December 2, 2004... 02 DECEMBER 2004 NEW York (Pacnews) --- The United Nations and the Government of Mauritius have signed an agreement officially paving the way for a conference on the plight of small island developing states (SIDS) next month in the Indian Ocean...

Pacific Islands Aids Foundation Ambassador Profile - Ms Helen.
December 2, 2004... PACNEWS DIGEST REPORT: Dec 2, 2004 (PacNews) The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PIBA and/or PACNEWS This is the first in a series of profiles prepared by the Pacific...

Vanuatu's PM rule with a minority government.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Vanuatu's prime minister, Serge Vohor is leading the country with only15 members of his coalition government, after a mass exodus to the opposition benches yesterday. Reliable sources from the capital,...

Samoan Deputy Opposition Leader considers suing the Prime Minister.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 APIA (Pacnews) --- The Samoan Deputy Opposition leader Asiata Saleimoa Vaai is considering suing the prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele and the state-owned Samoa Broadcasting Corporation over allegations of wrongdoing. Asiata...

GPS on sex offenders.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- A global positioning systems (GPS) device which warns when child sex offenders go near schools and parks will be trialled by New Zealand's Corrections Department next year. The department wanted to...

Seized Fiji-based vessel released by French authorities.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- Fiji-based Taiwanese fishing vessel "Jin Chin I" seized by New Caledonian authorities has been released. The vessel was seized mid last week north of the island of Ouvea (Loyalty island group...

Regional meet on ICT challenges.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- A regional conference on Information Communications Technology will be held in Suva, Fiji on 6-9 December, to address the challenges that ICT poses for Pacific Island countries. "These include the need...

Anti corruption authority to be established in Fiji.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The Fiji Government is considering the establishment of an anti-corruption authority, an experience learnt from Papua New Guinea and Malaysia. This was revealed by the Attorney General, Qoriniasi Bale...

Marshall Islands president to visit Taiwan.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 MAJURO (Pacnews) --- Marshall Islands President Kessai Note will travel to Taiwan next week on a trip expected to pave the way for a return visit by Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian. The regional tour is expected to rile...

Ona's roadblocks up.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 BOUGAINVILLE (Pacnews) --- Members of the self-styled Bougainville Mekamui Movement have continued to maintain roadblocks at the Aropa Airport in an apparent effort to prevent the members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP)...

Former government minister quits Flosse's party.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 PAOEETE (Pacnews) --- Reynald Temarii, a former French Polynesian youth minister has resigned from President Gaston Flosse's pro-autonomy political party. Tahiti Presse quoted Mr Temarii as saying that he had become...

Reduced airfreight concerns businesses.
December 3, 2004... 03 December 2004 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- The introduction of the new A320 Airbus between Rarotonga and Auckland this month has upset some businesses over the amount of available cargo space on flights. Chamber of commerce president Teresa...

Sir John Kaputin is the new ACP secretary general.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guinea's Sir John Kaputin is the new secretary general of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group. He becomes the first Pacific Islander to hold the position, which created some...

Opposition motion reveals plans to release former vice president.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- An opposition motion in Fiji's parliament has revealed that plans by the government to release the former vice president was hatched six days after Ratu Jope Seniloli was imprisoned in August this year. ...

Canberra told not to meddle with Taiwan/Vanuatu relations.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- Taiwanese Foreign Affairs Minister, Mark Chen has urged Australia not to intervene in its so-called diplomatic relations with Vanuatu. "We appeal to the Australian government not to be influenced by...

Samoa's Broadcasting Corporation gets movie ticking-off.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 APIA (Pacnews) --- Samoa's Attorney-General has told the state-run Samoa Broadcasting Corporation that it must not show movies it has not paid for the rights to. The Samoa Observer newspaper says the Chief Executive Officer...

Mechanism proposed for dual citizenship.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 KOROR (Pacnews) --- A measure has been introduced to put in place a mechanism to provide for dual citizenship. President Remengesau filed a bill that would comply with the recently ratified initiative on dual citizenship....

Fiji Government denies withdrawal of air licence for Air Fiji.
December 3, 2004... 03 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji's civil aviation ministry has denied it took action to withdraw Air Fiji's designation as a national carrier amid pressure by Air Pacific. "It's a requirement of all Air Services Agreement that...

PACNEWS DIGEST - The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PIBA and/or PACNEWS.
December 3, 2004... These profiles are prepared as part of a multi media package produced by the Pacific Islands Aids Foundation (PIAF) in collaboration with Secretariat for the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Media Centre. Emosi is 28-years-old and was...

Former Niue premier resigns from Parliament.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 ALOFI (Pacnews) --- An era in Niue politics has ended with the resignation of former premier Sani Lakatani from the island's 20-member parliament. Niue News reports that after more than a year in Auckland caring for his...

Chinese Ambassador claims assault by Vanuatu PM.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- Vanuatu's Prime Minister Serge Vohor has been accused of assaulting the Chinese Ambassador, Bao Shungshen late last week in parliament, AFP reports Beijing's newly installed envoy to Port Vila told...

Oscar Temaru requests for election observers.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 PAPEETE (Pacnews) --- The ousted French Polynesian president, Oscar Temaru, says he is about to ask for international observers to be sent for a by-election due in February. 37 of the assembly's 57 seats have been declared...

Australian PM offers Aborigines new deal backed with alcohol bans.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER CANBERRA (Pacnews) --- Australian Prime Minister John Howard has offered Aboriginal leaders a new accord that would include alcohol bans, curfews and the principle of "mutual obligation" to replace welfare dependency. The...

Aloha to stop services to Majuro next month.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 MAJURO (Pacnews) --- Aloha Air is discontinuing service to the Marshall Islands and America Samoa. Aloha's last flight between Honolulu, Kwajalein and Majuro will be January 10, according to Yokwe online. Yokwe says...

Ordination new step for Tongans.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) --- Eleanor Mancini has a rich heritage in the Anglican Church, but was determined not to follow in her family's footsteps. That all changed yesterday after "10 years' hard work and my decision to fall...

Forum SG suggests the establishment of a regional Privy Council.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- A regional Privy Council' has been suggested at Fiji's Attorney General's conference. Addressing the conference, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Greg Urwin says the formation of...

Tuna Commission meeting underway in FSM.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 POHNPEI (Pacnews) --- Twenty nine countries are meeting in Pohnpei, capital of the Federated States of Micronesia, to hash out final details for the launching of a new Tuna Commission that will, for the first time, regulate and...

Fiji chiefs to meet on Wednesday to consider new vice president.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) is to meet on Wednesday (08 Dec) in a special session to elect a new vice president, to replace Ratu Jope Seniloli, who was released from jail two week ago. Ratu Jope...

Talks start in Beijing on potential trade deal.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- New Zealand and Chinese officials today begin talks in Beijing on a free trade agreement (FTA) that potentially could boost New Zealand exports of goods and services to China by between NZD$260 million...

Optus facing boycott over porn sites.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- Family groups are calling for a nationwide boycott of Optus after it was revealed that the communications giant makes up to USD$100 million a year from international sex lines and internet pornography....

Taskforce established to study the potential of commercial mining project.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 SAIPAN (Pacnews) --- A task force has been created to study the potential of commercial mining projects on Pagan Island. Marianas Public Lands Authority vice chairman Manny Villagomez said the MPLA board members unanimously...

French Polynesia occupations set to continue until February.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---Groups occupying French Polynesia's presidential palace complex say they will not leave until February when by-elections are due to be held. Calling themselves the Popular Movement, they decribe...

Tri-nations plan Pacific disaster relief.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 PAPEETE (Pacnews) -- French, Australian and New Zealand government and military officials have met at the weekend in French Polynesia's capital Pape'ete to review their joint action as part of a so-called "FRANZ" tripartite...

Asia Pacific religios leaders meet in Indonesia.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 SYDNEY (Pacnews) --- Religious leaders from Asia and the Pacific are due to meet in Indonesia to promote moderation and counter extremism. The two-day meeting, dubbed the International Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation,...

UNHCR asks Australia to give protection visas to Iraqis on Nauru.
December 6, 2004... 06 DECEMBER 2004 NEW YORK (Pacnews) --- The United Nations has again called on the Australian government to provide complimentary protection visas for 14 remaining Iraqi asylum seekers still being held on Nauru. This follows the...

CNMI Govt loses millions in poker licence fees.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 SAIPAN (Pacnews) --- Illegal transfers of poker machines from one place to another and the current fee payment system are taking a toll on various government programmes in the Northern Marianas, which should have been...

Calls in FSM for Tuna Commission to be set up without delay.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 POHNPEI (Pacnews) --- Pacific fishing nations, meeting in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, to make the final preparations for the establishment of the Tuna Commission, have been called on to set it up without...

PNG's Telikom Board seeks stop order to the proposed sale.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guinea's Telikom (PNG) Ltd is seeking court orders to stop its proposed sale to Econet Wireless (PNG) Ltd. The group's board filed the application at the Waigani National Court last...

Malaita Forum support secession plan.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- The Ma'asina Forum of Malaita has criticised Alfred Sasako of opposing the resolution of the Malaita Leaders summit, which endorsed plans to secede from the rest of Solomon Islands. Mr Sasako is a member...

NZ names new high commissioner to Vanuatu.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- New Zealand's next High Commissioner to Vanuatu will be career diplomat Paul Willis, Foreign Minister Phil Goff announced last week. "Vanuatu is a important regional partner for New Zealand and we...

Singh named PGA Tour player of the year.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 --- Fiji's Vijay Singh has won the US PGA Tour player of the year award for the first time, ending Tiger Woods' five-year hold on the honour with a season that left no debate about who was No.1 in golf, Sydney Morning Herald...

Fiji's president transfers his secretary.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Controversies surrounding the appointment of Fiji's vice president intensified yesterday with the removal from office of the president's secretary, Paula Kunabuli. No official reason has been given for...

Draft Tuna Commission to be finalised today.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 PONHPEI (Pacnews) --- A new draft rules for the establishment of the new Tuna Commission in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is expected to be finalised today, at the end of two days of preparatory meeting in Pohnpei....

NZ PM to get Defender of Democracy award.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- Parliamentarians from around the world meeting in New Zealand will acknowledge Prime Minister Helen Clark's contribution to disarmament, nuclear-free and peace issues. About 150 Parliamentarians...

Australia's new Consul General for French Pacific takes up post.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- Australia's new Consul General for French Pacific territories, Jane Urquhart, has taken up her position last week in New Caledonia's capital Noumea. From her New Caledonia base, Ms Urquhart, who was...

Sir John's election a bonus for PNG.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- The election of Sir John Kaputin as secretary-general of the Asia, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping is a bonus for Papua New Guinea, said Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu. ...

Occupation of Cook Islands government offices ends.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- The occupation of government offices in Cook Islands has come to an end after a compromise was reached by the Democratic Party. The party called for supporters to occupy its offices after the caretaker...

U.S. official explains stance on Kyoto Protocol.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 BUENOS AIRES (Pacnews) ---The United States is committed to substantively addressing climate change, a State Department official has told the 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-10) in Buenos Aires. "Many...

Tahiti demonstrators continue blockade of key government offices and presidential palace.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 PAPEETE (Pacnews) --- Demonstrators demanding the dissolution of Tahiti's parliament and fresh elections are continuing their occupation of the presidential palace and several government buildings, despite calls to vacate the...

Hawaiian rare bird nears extinction.
December 7, 2004... 07 DECEMBER 2004 HONOLULU (Pacnews) ---One of the rarest birds on earth came closer to being wiped out -- if not already extinct -- with the death of one of the last three believed to exist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services officials in Honolulu...

Natapei confirms US$2m Taiwan offer.
December 8, 2004... 08 DECEMBER 2004 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- Taiwan has been openly accused by Vanuatu's Opposition of 'directly interfering in domestic politics'. The Daily Post reports that eyebrows were raised by many when a well-known Singapore lawyer...