PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from December 2005

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from December 2005

Unskilled labour mobility is not the answer: Minister Downer.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 CANBERRA (Pacnews) - Australias Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer has reiterated Australias commitment to improving the lives of the peoples of the Pacific. In a statement, Mr Downer clarified concerns raised...

Union officials satisfied with general strike march turnout.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 (Pacnews) - An estimated 3,000 to 4,500 people turned this out morning to begin a march and eventual sit-in in front of the French Polynesia Assembly to protest the Temaru government's proposed tax reforms, Tahiti Presse...

Garment factory starts sending workers home.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - Yet another garment factory in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) is winding down its operations with its foreign workers being repatriated to their home countries. Express...

Government bans export of dolphins.
December 1, 2005... 01 DEEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Solomon Islands government has banned the export of dolphins from the country. Solomon Islands Broadcasting reports this follows the publication of the Gazette of the Fisheries Prohibition of Export of...

Totot is Micronesian Games mascot.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - The Micronesian Games Executive Committee (MGEC) has chosen the Mariana Fruit Dove as the official mascot for the 6th Micronesian Games, which Saipan will be hosting next year. The Mariana Fruit Dove is...

Groundbreaking agreement to further fight against HIV/AIDS.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 NOUMEA (Pacnews) - In the face of news that HIV/AIDS is now a leading cause of death worldwide for people aged 15-49 years, Robert Siy of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated, "There is a window of opportunity for the...

West Papuan children receive birth certificates from PNG.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - OVER 1,700 West Papuan children born in Papua New Guinea have received birth certificates from the Papua New Guinean government - an important step in gaining a legal identity. According to a...

New family laws soon.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Wide changes to laws have been recommended to put a stop to domestic violence, which is estimated to cost the country $300million (USD$173.5-million) annually. Fiji Law Reform Commission executive chairman...

PM denies Solomons rort.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Solomon Islands Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza has denied rorting thousands of dollars from a fund meant to compensate people who lost property during years of bloody ethnic violence. An audit...

Firefighters battle blaze at World Vision headquarters in the Solomons.
December 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - A fire in the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara, has gutted a two storey building in the centre of town. The building in Hibiscus Avenue in downtown Honiara housed the Solomon Islands Small Business...

Nurses threaten nationwide strike.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Nurses in Papua New Guinea have threatened to go on a national wide strike again next Monday (05 Dec) which PNG government officials have said would be going against their own agreement. More than...

Passport fraudster claimed to know PM.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) - A Tongan overstayer who told Pacific Islanders he could get them New Zealand residency because he knew Prime Minister Helen Clark, has appeared in court and admitted three charges. Fakanonoa Fonua,...

Chiefs discuss crime, poverty.
December 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Poverty, crime and unemployment are threatening peace and security in the country, Fijis Great Council of Chiefs said yesterday. The chiefs were concerned with the social problems and its negative impact...

Papua New Guinea HIV-AIDS epidemic a 'tragedy': Australia.
December 1, 2005... 01 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Australia says HIV-AIDS in Papua New Guinea is now an epidemic, with one per cent of PNG's adults - 60,000 people - infected with the HIV virus. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, says...

Pohiva asked to resign from National Committee.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) - The Deputy Chairman of Tonga's National Committee on Political Reform, Akilisi Pohiva has been asked to resign from his post. Radio and TV Tonga News reports that the Committee chairman, Prince...

PNG gives deadline to former Fijian soldiers on Bougainville.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 BUKA (Pacnews) - The six former Fijian soldiers on Bougainville have been told to leave within the next 18 days. Papua New Guinea's government said they will face prosecution if they don't leave. Bougainville's...

Guam passes one million visitor mark.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 HAGATNA (Pacnews) - Guam passed the one million visitor mark earlier than usual this year, reaching the milestone last October. Last year, the one million mark was only reached in November, according to the latest Guam...

Sector Committee waters down Unity Bill.
December 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Murder, rape, other sexual offences should not be granted amnesty or criminal immunity under Fijis controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill. The recommendation came in a report by the...

Tourism Minister receives petition to stop sale of old government house.
December 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Solomon Islands Minister for Tourism and Culture, Trevor Olovae today received a petition from about 30 peaceful demonstrators calling on the Government to abandon the proposed sale of the old Government...

Crocodile attacks Sepik river villagers.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - A Seventh Day Adventist Church elder from Kanganamun village in Angoram, East Sepik Province, says crocodiles are running amok on the Sepik River and has called for help. Isaac Wambun, who is in...

Nauru government set to open up productive land for people.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 YAREN (Pacnews) - The Nauru government says its vital that more land is made available for the people on the overcrowded island, Radio New Zealand International reports. The Commerce and Industries Minister, Freddie...

Striking union leaders promise blockades and threaten Assembly demonstration.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 PAPEETE (Pacnews) French Polynesian Union leaders started the second day of the unlimited general strike by promising to set up blockades and threatening to disrupt todays opening of the French Polynesia Assembly debate on the...

Govt approves students allowance increase.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Solomon Islands students studying overseas have been assured of their 60 percent increase allowance, Solomon Star reports. Speaking before the local tertiary students studying overseas during a combine...

Setting Up A Political Status Commission.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) - American Samoa's former Delegate to the US House of Representatives, Fofo I.F. Sunia has been appointed by Gov. Togiola Tulafono as executive director of the Political Status Study Commission. Pacific...

Morobe upholds plans for eviction.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Settlers at the 4 to 6 Mile settlement in the Papua New Guinean city of Lae have been told to comply with eviction plans of the Morobe provincial government, The National reports. Morobe Governor...

More women graduate from the Fiji School of Medicine.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - More women than men graduated today from the Fiji School of Medicine. School registrar Doctor Apenisa Ratu attributed the record number of graduates to the first group of graduates for the inaugural...

OPA auditing USD$40M million land compensation fund.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - The Office of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) Public Auditor has started auditing the USD$40 million land compensation fund over concerns that not all claimants will receive land...

PNG police mobile squads disbanded.
December 2, 2005... 02 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - In last month's takeover of PNG's police college in protest over unpaid allowances have been disbanded pending the results of an investigation into their actions. At least one senior police officer...

Proposal for Constitutional Amendments goes to Tonga's King.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) - Tongas National Committee for Political Reforms chaired by Akilisi Pohiva is to submit to the Palace Office on Tuesday (06 Dec) their recommended amendments to certain clauses of the Tonga Constitution....

2 months of new fiscal year: Japan arrivals down 25-percent.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - The arrival rate from Japan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) main tourist market, plunged by 25 percent during the first two months of the new fiscal year, costing the local economy...

Tahiti's 4-day general strike ends with negotiated settlement.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 PAPEETE (Pacnews) - French Polynesian Union leaders ended a four-day general strike on Saturday (10 Dec) with the signing of a draft agreement that suspends for 2006 the key reason for the strikethe Temaru governments proposed...

Call for leadership code.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - A leadership Code of Conduct needs to be formulated and appropriate enforcement provisions enacted, Fijis Vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi says. Ratu Joni said had such binding guidelines been enforced,...

Air Vanuatu terminates workers.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 PORT VILA (Pacnews) - Air Vanuatu has terminated over 16 employees, Vanuatu Daily Post reports. These terminations came in the wake of an escalating tension between the Union and the Air Vanuatu. Letters of termination...

Fijians get ultimatum-Move out or be Forced out.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 BUKA (Pacnews) - The law and order situation in the Tonu area of South Bougainville is reported to be deteriorating since the arrival of the Fijian mercenaries last month, and Bougainville leaders have given the Fijians until...

Moon gets low-key welcome in Marshalls.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 MAJURO (Pacnews) - Reverend. Sun Myung Moon, the controversial head of the Unification Church, received a friendly but low-key welcome from the Marshall Islands government when he touched down in this western Pacific nation on...

Mass evacuation underway on the island of Ambae in Vanuatu.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 PORT VILA (Pacnews) - About 5,000 residents on Vanuatu's Ambae Island have been moved from their homes after continuing volcanic eruptions from Mount Manaro, which began on 27 November, the Vanuatu Daily Post reports. The...

Pohivas membership of political reform committee questioned.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) - Debate is raging in Tonga on vocal pro-independence activist, Akilisi Pohivas membership of the national committee on political reform. This follows claims that he has been suspended from the committee...

Closure threat on Port Moresby main hospital.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - The countrys premier hospital, the Port Moresby General has been given two months to address the conditions of the hospital or face a possible closure, Post Courier reports. This is the warning...

French Navy vows to maintain surveillance on Palaus EEZ.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 KOROR (Pacnews) - Tahiti-based French Navy frigate Prairial was on a courtesy routine call in Palau, as part of a Pacific tour to reinforce surveillance to combat illegal fishing, drug and human trafficking, the Palau Horizon...

Tonga scores high in ADB social survey.
December 5, 2005... 05 DECEMBER 2005 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says Tongas top position among the Pacific Islands, as measured by the United Nations Development Index, is the result of years of wise investment by the government in...

Rising seas force Islanders to move inland, says UN.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 MONTREAL (Pacnews) - Rising seas have forced 100 people on a Pacific island to move to higher ground in what may be the first example of a village formally displaced because of modern global warming, a UN report said. With...

Overseas creditors write off overseas debt.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Solomon Islands has successfully negotiated a partial write off of millions of dollars debt with overseas financial institution. In his address to parliament, Minister of Finance, Peter Boyers said...

ADB provides funds to control spread of HIV/AIDS in the Pacific.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - In the face of news that HIV/AIDS is now a leading cause of death worldwide for people 15-49 years old, Robert Siy of the Asian Development Bank stated, "There is a window of opportunity for the Pacific to be...

Solomon Islands introduces similar reconciliation concept used in Fiji.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 HONIAR A (Pacnews) - Solomon Islands has introduced a new reconciliation concept amongst communities on Guadalcanal and Malaita. "Called TOK STORI, the idea is to bring all the people together to share their experiences...

UB40 to tour Fiji next year.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - It will be a dream come true for reggae fans in Fiji when one of the greatest bands in the world, UB40, showcases their talents during a two-concert tour early next year. With an exceptional 25-year-long...

Vanuatu women's conference on the island of Ambae cancelled.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 PORT VILA (Pacnews) - A scheduled meeting of women leaders in Vanuatu to be held next week on the island of Ambae has been cancelled due to the increasing volcanic eruption of Mount Manaro, Daily Post reports. The Vanuatu...

SSP Tikotikoca resigns from the Fiji Police Force.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - The resignation of a high ranking Fijian police officer who was seconded to the Solomon Islands on a peacekeeping mission could strain relations between Fiji Police and their Australian counterparts, Fiji TV...

Border officials get tough on crossers.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Stricter regulations await Papua New Guineans who cross the border at Wutung, Sandaun Province, for shopping sprees in Jayapura and village markets on the Indonesian side. Last week, the border...

Tonga ready to join WTO.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 GENEVA (Pacnews) - Tonga will become the 150th member of the world Trade Organisation (WTO) after the Pacific island state completed entry negotiations. Trade officials said formal approval of Tonga's entry would be given...

Manukau Mayor gets Cook Islands honorary residency.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) - Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis became an honorary resident of the Cook Islands. Cook Islands Prime Minister Jim Marurai joined the Queen's representative Sir Frederick Goodwin at a ceremony in Manurewa...

Fijians' bid to get out remaining six.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - One of the Fijians "taken" to Port Moresby has returned to Bougainville in the hope to persuade the remaining six to get out of their Siwai hideout, Post Courier reports. The Fijian High Commission...

China is in talks to buy Papua New Guinea gas.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - China National Petroleum, the biggest Chinese oil company, is in talks with the Papua New Guinea Government about buying natural gas, Petroleum and Energy Minister Moi Avei of Papua New Guinea said...

Police arrest and charge former militant.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - A former member of the Guadalcanal Liberation Front, Walter Roni has appeared in Honiara Magistrates Court charged with murder and two counts of abduction. Roni, who is also known as Walter Tilani was...

Japanese shipping company leaves Marianas.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - After 21 years in the Northern Marianas, a major Japan-based cargo shipping company has closed its operations on Saipan and Guam due to low profitability. Kambara Kisen Co. Ltd.'s office on Saipan, the...

Australia provides financial support to SOPAC.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Australian Government will provide AUD$5.4 million (US$4 million) to the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) to support activities for the next three years. SOPAC director, Cristelle...

French Polynesia's HIV/AIDS count stands at 260.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 PAPE'ETE (Pacnews) - The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in French Polynesia now stands at 260, 63 of which have died since the first case was detected in 1985, Oceania Flash reports The statistics were revealed...

Eastcott will go.
December 6, 2005... 06 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - The governing council of the University of PNG (UPNG) has unanimously decided that the Vice-Chancellor Prof Leslie Eastcott will have to resign, sources told The National yesterday. They said the...

Fiji denies entry for Reverend Moon.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The Fiji Government has described the North Korean born international evangelist Reverend Doctor Sun Myung Moon as "not a fit and proper person to enter the country." Justifying its decision, the Fiji...

Australia criticised for approach to training in the Pacific.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) ---The director of development studies at the University of the South Pacific says Australia's plan to create yet another training institute in the Pacific could do as much damage as good. Professor...

CPA: Taiwanese airline may soon begin services to Saipan.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ---A Taiwanese air carrier may soon begin direct flight services to Saipan, following Continental Micronesia's pullout of similar services between the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and...

High-level Chinese officials in Tahiti this week.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER PAPE'ETE (Pacnews) --- Two separate high level Chinese Government delegations are expected in Tahiti this week to talk business, trade and tourism. Oceania Flash reports that Paris-based Chinese ambassador Jinjun Zhao is...

Nauru keen to relearn food gardening.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 YAREN (Pacnews) ---The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says it is getting a very good response as it encourages Nauruans to start growing their own food. Agriculture on the island has been largely ignored over the...

Volcanic eruption no threat to tourists traveling to Vanuatu.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- Vanuatu's Tourism Office says increased activity in the volcano on Ambae Island is of no threat to tourists travelling to Vanuatu. While a five kilometre safety area has been declared around the...

French Polynesia's opposition loses two more MP's.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 PAPE'ETE (Pacnews) ---- French Polynesia's opposition, the Tahoeraa Huiraatira, has lost two of its prominent members in the local legislative assembly. Michel Yip and Teina Maraehura, both elected from the Tuamotu...

Vanuatu kava ban finally lifted.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- It's now formalised, the Fijian Cabinet has agreed to lift the ban on Vanuatu kava exports. The decision will come into effect this week when the Finance Minister, Ratu Jone Kubuabola gazetted the order....

Transtasman relationship 'at risk'.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- The transtasman relationship may be at risk as the leaders of both countries are replaced, says Australian High Commissioner Allan Hawke. In his last major speech before after serving in Wellington,...

Youth Minister challenged to find solutions for young people.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guinea's Lands Minister, Doctor Puka Temu, has urged Pacific youth ministers to provide solutions to challenges facing young people in the Pacific region. Dr Temu, who was acting prime...

Air Fiji wins tender for service of Tonga domestic route.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Air Fiji is reported to have won the tender to service Tonga's domestic routes, to replace the Peau Vava'u. PACNEWS understands a formal announcement would be made soon. Peau Vava'u's monopoly on...

Union leader arrested, held in custody.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- New Caledonia's workers confederation union (CSTNC) Kanak leader Sylvain Na, who led a crippling strike and blockades during three weeks in French Pacific territory, has been arrested early Wednesday and is...

Cabinet approves reform policy to improve public service.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Solomon Islands Cabinet has approved a far-reaching agenda for public service reform aimed at improving standards, morale and effectiveness. Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza yesterday said the...

Easter Island's demise prompted by rats eating palm seeds - theory.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- An Anthropologists' conference in the US has been told that the demise of Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, may have been caused by rats which ate palm seeds to deforest the island of its 16 million palm...

Condolences.
December 7, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 (Pacnews) --- The Board of Directors and the members of the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) wish to express their condolences to the families, friends and employers of the victims of the tragic airplane crash in Iran....

Human smuggling racket busted in CNMI.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) --- Local and federal authorities believe they have busted another human smuggling case after they intercepted a boat loaded with 14 Chinese on their way to Guam. The Saipan Tribune reports that the U.S....

RAMSI, leaders deny entry of cops to Bougainville.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 BUKA (Pacnews) ---Executives of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) yesterday denied their police had crossed over to Bougainville through Buin to "sort out" those in Tonu and the Me'ekamui. RAMSI's...

Another garment factory to shut down.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ---Hyunjin Saipan Inc. has disclosed that it will shut down on 10 Feb, 2006, but promised that it's estimated 600 local and non-resident garment workers will be paid all their wages, and will be repatriated or...

Daru time bomb.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---Daru Island in Western Province of Papua New Guinea sitting on a "time bomb" with HIV/AIDS cases rising and more people becoming resistant to tuberculosis treatment, Post Courier reports. Recent...

Red Cross wants to set up fully-fledged office in Wallis.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 MATA'UTU (Pacnews)- Red Cross plans to open a fully-fledged branch in the French Pacific territory of Wallis and Futuna, where the international organisation only has a small delegation affiliated to New Caledonia's Red Cross....

President wants Air Vanuatu dispute solved through talks.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---Vanuatu's Head of State, Kalkot Mataskelekele is urging Air Vanuatu authorities to meet with employees who were terminated to resolve the impasse. Addressing the issue of workers rights at a press...

Former HIV/AIDS Advocate now in bad books.
December 8, 2005... 07 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fijis health ministry is desperately looking for a woman who has been found to be spreading the deadly HIV virus deliberately. She was once an AIDS advocate but has since begun earning her living as a...

Casino plan opposed.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- The Port Moresby based Constantinou Group of Companies is planning to develop a five-star hotel in Solomon Islands. But the intending developer has hit a snag because it wants to include a casino...

Solomon Government spend more on overseas trips Parliament report.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- It was revealed in the Solomon Islands Parliament yesterday that up to October this year, the cost of government overseas travel had reached more thanSBD$5 million, superseding its allocation last year,...

Reverend Moons visit a further sign of Asia taking a greater interest in the region.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) --- Professor Paul Morris of the Religious Studies Department at Wellingtons Victoria University says Reverend Moons visit to a number of Pacific Island Countries could be a further sign of Asia taking a...

Seven Chinese and Tongans deportees released.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Three Chinese and four Tongan living illegally in Fiji have been allowed into the community without proper documentation. Radio Fiji reports the seven walked free after immigration officers claimed there...

Constitutional Congress to work on new federal constitution in Solomon Islands.
December 8, 2005... 08 DECEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- A Constitutional Congress is to be established to work on a draft federal constitution for Solomon Islands. "Our people must be made aware of the proposed changes and be given an opportunity to...