PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from December 2006

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from December 2006

Consequences will be dire for Fiji - Peters.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews)- Fiji faces international ostracism and a declining economy as it plunges into martial law under military commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters said...

Telesource to build US$43million US Embassy in Fiji.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - Telesource Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) yesterday disclosed that the Telesource Group of Companies has been awarded the US$43 million construction of the new United States embassy in Suva,...

Indonesia maintains strong ties with Papua New Guinea.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews)- The strong bilateral relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are important because the two countries share borders, Post Courier reports. The two countries have had these strong ties since...

Fiji Government still in control PM Qarase.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fijis Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase and his cabinet ministers have been moved to undisclosed locations in anticipation of any move by the military to take over government. We are in complete control of...

Air NZ won't stop outsourcing plans to Fiji.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - Air New Zealand says political tensions in Fiji will not stop its plan to outsource 70 clerical jobs to the island state's capital, Suva. The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota (SFWU) today...

NZ warns illegal agents.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 HONIARA (Pacnews) - The New Zealand High Commission in Solomon Islands has warned against individuals making financial payments to persons who may be offering assistance to arrange work in New Zealand. Solomon Star reports...

New Zealand group says support for Papuan self determination.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - New Zealands Peace Movement Aotoearoa says grassroots support for Papuas right to self-determination is growing. The movement marked West Papua Independence Day today by flying the West Papuan...

Musingku and Fijians will be charged: Barter.
December 1, 2006... 01 DECEMBER 2006 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guinea is concerned with the current situation in Tonu, Siwai in Bougainville and will ensure that the five Fijians and U-Vistract failed money scam operator Noah Musingku face the full...

PM met Vice President on the current impasse.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Fijis Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase met with the island nation Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi this afternoon in a bid to avert a military coup in Fiji. The meeting only lasted for 20 minutes at the...

Defence minister warns Fijian military over coup threats.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 CANBERRA (Pacnews)- Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has called on Fiji's military commander Frank Bainimarama to desist from carrying out his threats of a military coup against the country's Prime Minister Laisenia...

PM tells Fiji what a coup will cost it.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews)- New Zealands Prime Minister Helen Clark has cast doubt on whether New Zealand would continue making its US$8.7 million-a-year aid contribution to Fiji if the country has another military coup, NZ Herald...

Most non-resident jobs not attractive to local workers.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 SAIPAN (Pacnews)- Most of the jobs that are occupied by non-resident workers in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) may not be very attractive to local residents as these include jobs such as sewers, house...

US Department of State official visits Palau.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 KOROR (Pacnews)- A high-ranking official from the Unite State Department of State visited Palau to familiarise himself with the country and meet with the local officials, Marianas Variety Reports . Glyn Davies, Deputy...

Australia boosts AIDS pledge to Asia-Pacific.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 CANBERRA (Pacnews)- The Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer has announced new programmes to fight HIV and AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region worth nearly $US170 million., Radio Australia reports. Speaking on World...

PM says majority supported democratically elected government.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Fijis Prime minister Laisenia Qarase has rejected military claims that he was hiding after the military deadlines was not met yesterday. Absolutely no truth in that infact most cabinet members were in Suva...

PM hope issue in Fiji will be resolved amicably.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 HONIARA (Pacnews)- Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says he believes the current political crises situation in Fiji will be solved peacefully in a Melanesian way, SIBC reports. He said Solomon Islands hopes...

Troops due home today after peacekeeping efforts in Tonga.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews)- New Zealand soldiers who went to Tonga to help authorities there restore order last month, arrive home today, New Zealand Herald reports . The 71 soldiers were sent to Tonga a fortnight ago after the...

Australia still seeking Moti: Downer.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 CANBERRA (Pacnews)- Australian foreign Minister Alexander Downer says relations with the Solomon Islands will not return to normal until suspended Solomons Attorney-General Julian Moti is extradited to Australia., The Age...

RAMSI welcomes government growth strategy.
December 2, 2006... 02 DECEMBER 2006 HONIARA (Pacnews)- Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) Special Coordinator, Tim George welcomed a number of recent Solomon Islands Government decisions on development, planning and the economy. Mr...

Cabinet meet to discuss Fiji army demands.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Fijis cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the military's ever-changing long list of demands, said Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase yesterday. He revealed this following the conclusion of a national security...

Bainimarama makes Fiji look silly: NZ PM.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank (Voreqe) Bainimarama, is making his country look ridiculous, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says, Sydney Morning Herald reports. Commodore...

Missing SAS trooper presumed dead.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 CANBERRA (Pacnews) - The Australian Defence Department says it is continuing to search for the soldier missing since the fatal Black Hawk helicopter crash off Fiji, despite giving up hope of finding him alive. Rescuers...

Claims of police armoury takeover rejected.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji military forces personnel paid a surprise visit to the police Tactical Response Unit headquarters just outside the capital, Suva this morning in what has been described as a visit to view the police...

Palau faces financial crisis after bank collapses.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 KOROR (Pacnews) --- Thousands of Palauan citizens and others with accounts at the now-defunct Pacific Savings Bank face a financial crisis after the bank was put into receivership last month. Palau President Tommy...

Clinton made a PNG chief.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Former United States president Bill Clinton was yesterday awarded the highest honour under the national honours system, the Order of Papua New Guinea, The National reports. Mr Clinton was made a...

Private hospital planned for Rarotonga.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- New Zealand developer Tim Tepaki has announced building of a NZ$7 million (US$4.8 million) private hospital on Rarotonga to complement Cook Islands hotels he plans. The Cook Islands Times newspaper...

New Caledonia eyed as regional Red Cross relief centre.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMEMBER 2006 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- New Caledonia is being eyed as a potential regional Red Cross humanitarian aid and relief emergency centre. This follows a recent visit by French Red Cross Chairman Jean-Franois Mattei, who was also...

Fiji army seize police weapons as PM is airlifted to Suva.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fijis Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase and his wife, Leba were airlifted to Suva this afternoon, as tension mounts in the capital ahead of a possible coup. PACNEWS understands the decision to airlift the...

Tiensten restores relations.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guineas foreign affairs minister Paul Tiensten has broken the ice that will put Papua New Guineas relationship with Australia back on track after the widely publicised Julian Moti saga. ...

Dausabea on bail.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- After almost seven months in custody East Honiara MP, Charles Dausabea has been released on bail. Mr Dausabea had applied for bail since his detention the April riots but was denied until last week,...

New Caledonia's Air Caldonie takes delivery of its first ATR-72.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- New Caledonia's domestic airline, Air Caldonie has taken delivery of its first turbo-prop French-made ATR-72. The new aircraft, which is configured to carry about 65 passengers, is believed to have...

Destroyed businesses allowed six weeks for tax payments.
December 4, 2006... 04 DECEMBER 2006 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) --- Nukualofas devastated business community will be allowed to delay their payments of Consumption Tax and Duty for six weeks, Matangi Tonga reports. Tongas finance minister, Siosiua 'Utoikamanu...

Suva calm as world condemns Fijian coup.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- The streets of the Fijis capital Suva remain calm this morning, as the country wakes to its second day under military rule. After weeks of brinkmanship, military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama...

Fiji's fate in hands of people: NZ PM.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews)- Fiji's fate is in the hands of its people speaking out against the actions of military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says, The Age reports . After...

Police Commissioner predicts Fiji uprising.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Fiji's Police Commissioner says support for the leader of the coup Commodore Frank Bainimarama is beginning to fracture, ABC reports . Police Commissioner, Australian Andrew Hughes is currently in Australia...

Greens say Australia must end Pacific Solution.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 CANBERRA (Pacnews)- The Australian Green Party say, in the wake of Sweden stepping in to resettle an Iraqi man left on Nauru for five years, the Federal Government must end the Pacific Solution and stop relying on the...

State of emergency declared by interim military government.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) --- A state of emergency has been declared by the head of Fijis interim military government, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.. The declaration was gazetted after Commodore Bainimarama assumed executive authority...

India cautiously responds to coup in Fiji.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 NEW DELHI (Pacnews) - The Indian government reacted to the coup in Fiji on Tuesday, saying it was saddened by the turn of events. Unlike Fiji's neighbours, Australia and New Zealand, both of which have slammed the military...

Britain condemns Fiji coup, halts military help.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 LONDON (Pacnews) - Britain condemned the staging of a coup in Fiji yesterday and said it was suspending military assistance to the Pacific Island nation. Fijis army Commander Frank Bainimarama took over the role of...

Netball champs may be moved from Fiji.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) - World Netball Championship may be moved from Fiji Netball officials may shift the world championship from Fiji next year after the military coup in the island nation, Stuff NZ reports. The championship...

Caretaker Fijian prime minister sworn into office, parliament dissolved.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) Fijis new caretaker prime minister, Dr Jona Senilagakali was sworn into office this afternoon by the head of Fijis military government, Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Immediately afterwards, Commodore...

PM condemns military action in Fiji.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Papua New Guineas (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has expressed deep regret at the sad turn of events in Fiji. Sir Michael said that all legitimate governments in the region cannot condone...

Cabinet rejects army findings.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews)- Papua New Guineas (PNG) cabinet has rejected the findings of the Papua New Guinea Defence Forces (PNGDF) internal investigation into Julian Motis clandestine escape using the military aircraft. Post...

Northern Marianas braces for worst.
December 6, 2006... 06 DECEMBER 2006 SAIPAN (Pacnews)- Congressional Democrats are poised to include the CNMI in a wage hike bill that they vow to pass within the first 100 hours of the incoming 110th Congress. Charles Reyes Jr., the governors press secretary...

Army removes Vice president from residence.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Vice President of Fiji, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi was removed from office and forced out of his official residence by the army yesterday. In a press statement, the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) chairman...

PM says Samoa will not recognise new government in Fiji.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 APIA (Pacnews) - Samoas Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says the Samoan Government would not recognise any new government in Fiji that has not been set up with the legal processes of Fijis Constitution, Radio New...

New Fiji PM tells NZ to 'leave us alone'.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fijis newly installed caretaker military prime minister has told New Zealand and Australia to back off and leave the coup-torn country to get on with rebuilding a government without corruption, NZ herald...

Malaysia express concerns on the military coup in Fiji.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 KUALA LUMPUR (Pacnews) - The Malaysian Government has expressed concern on the removal of Fijis democratically elected government. Malaysias foreign affairs minister Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the action by the...

Over 400 suspects charged in Nuku'alofa destruction.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) - Police in Tonga have charged over 400 people suspected of alleged arson, theft and other offences relating to the destruction of the Nuku'alofa business centre on 16 November. The Tongan Police...

Coup was illegal - new Fiji PM.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji's newly installed caretaker Prime Minister has admitted that the military's takeover of the country was illegal, Stuff NZ reports. Jona Senilagakali, an army doctor and Methodist lay preacher with no...

Sporting sanctions wrong, says Sharples.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - New Zealands Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples believes imposing sporting sanctions against Fiji is wrong and is urging the New Zealand Government to consider sending further aid - in the form of food -...

Report spotlights police leadership problems.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) - A major report into the Cook Islands Police highlights poor leadership and management as amongst fundamental problems. But Radio Cook Islands said the report by a team led former New Zealand Police...

Dausabea granted bail.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 HONIARA (Pacnews) - The Solomon High Court has granted bail to Charles Dausabea who was accused for inciting the riots in Honiara this year. Deputy Registrar of High Court Levy Kelly said Charles Dausabea was granted bail...

Fiji police chief in Australia accused of dereliction of duty.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) Continued absence from duty despite the current situation in Fiji has been used by the head of Fijis interim military government as an explanation to terminate Australian police commissioner, Andrew Hughes,...

Downer urges passive resistance to coup.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 CANBERRA (Pacnews)- Australia has urged the people of Fiji to passively resist the military takeover of their country, as coup leader Frank Bainimarama announced he had dissolved Fiji's parliament. Australian Foreign...

Fiji coup won't affect 'Survivor'.
December 7, 2006... 07 DECEMBER 2006 NEW YORK (Pacnews) - Some real-life unrest in Fiji won't have an impact on the tribal councils of Survivor, CBS said. CBS is filming another edition of its popular game on an island in Fiji, where a military ruler led a...

Appointments are illegal, says Qarase.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- The appointment of the military caretaker prime minister Doctor Jona Senilagakali has no basis in law, says ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Fiji Times reports. Speaking from his home in Mavana,...

Diplomats defend NZ's response to Fiji's coup.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - The New Zealand Foreign Ministry is under fire for its handling of problems in the Pacific, with Fiji the latest country to slide into turmoil, Stuff NZ reports. Senior diplomats were forced to...

Safe and stable Samoa luring tourists.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 APIA (Pacnews) - Samoa is promoting itself as a safe and stable tourist destination in the wake of the Fiji coup and recent Tongan riot. The Samoan Tourism Authority has put out a release to travel agents and the public...

Green MP pushes for Tongan torture investigation.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - New Zealand should press the Tongan Government to investigate claims that prisoners arrested during the November riots were abused and tortured, Green MP Keith Locke says, NZ Herald reports. Tonga's...

Military chief to advertise caretaker government jobs from today.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Fijis interim military government will publicly advertise from today key ministerial positions. Army commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama said jobs will be advertised in all the local dailies. Having...

Future of the regions multilateral fisheries agreement with the U.S in question - Teo.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Former director of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Feleti Teo says the next few months would be crucial for the future of the of Pacific Islands multilateral fisheries treaty with the United States. ...

Greater use of cocaine and Police in villages worry for Cook Islands.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 RAROTONGA (Pacnews)- Cook Islands police have noticed an increase in the use of drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine in the villages, says a report by former New Zealand police commissioner Rob Robinson, NZ herald reports....

Women win seats in elections.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Two women have won seats in Solomon Islandss Isabel provincial assembly elections held this week, SIBC reports. Beverly Dick who won the Tatamba seat and Rhoda Sikilabu took out the Sigana Ward both...

Fiji intervention never contemplated.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 CANBERRA (Pacnews) - Any Australian military intervention in Fiji would have resulted in major casualties, Prime Minister John Howard said today, The Australian reports. Mr Howard said interfering was never contemplated...

Commonwealth to discuss Fiji.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 LONDON (Pacnews) ----The Commonwealth will meet in London today to discuss whether to suspend Fiji's membership of the organisation after the military takeover in the Pacific nation this week. Secretary-General Don...

Forum to discuss Fijis situation.
December 8, 2006... 08 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA Pacnews)- The acting secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Josefa Maiava says they are considering a number of issues in relation to Fiji following the coup but he cannot say if this includes expelling the...

Military moves to silence dissent.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- A senior executive of the Sosoqoso Duavata ni Lewenivanua party (SDL) is among one of the many in recent days taken in for questioning by the Fiji military in its attempt to step up measures to curtail public...

Government looks to NGOs for Fiji help.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews)- The New Zealand Government is exploring alternative ways of getting New Zealand help to the people of Fiji, TV NZ reports. Among sanctions imposed as a result of the coup was the suspension of aid but...

Commonwealth promote good governance.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 LONDON (Pacnews)- The Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon says it's most important that the military or the police of any country work under the guidance of the government. In an interview with SIBC about the...

Fiji won't be banned from sevens - Clark.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 WELLINGTON (Pacnews)- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has ruled out banning Fiji from the Wellington Rugby Sevens in February, Stuff NZ reports . The government slapped a ban on sporting contacts after the military...

Chiefs set to meet on Fiji crisis.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) will meet for an emergency two-day session starting next Thursday(21 Dec) to discuss the political situation in the Pacific island nation. This was confirmed by GCC...

Figures show Samoa, Cooks gain 20percent from coup.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Cook Islands and Samoa are each enjoying about a 20 percent increase in New Zealand visitor bookings following Fijis coup, the Cook Islands Times quotes travel agents as saying. And it said a prominent New...

Aust aid welcomed but not forever: Polye.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 PORT MORESBY(Pacnews)- The Papua New Guinea ( PNG) Government had no intention of doing away with foreign aid money, particularly from Australia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Don Polye...

Saipan casino is the only solution to economic woes.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 SAIPAN (Pacnews)- The only solution for the economic problem that the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands(CNMI) is experiencing now is establishing a casino industry on Saipan, according to former Governor Froilan Tenorio....

Government passes US$2.1 billion budget.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 PAPEETE (Pacnews) - French Polynesia's legislative assembly has endorsed its 2007 budget, totalling the equivalent of some US$2.1billion. Oceania Flash reports the final appropriation bill was passed with a majority of 29...

Army lawyers suspension unlawful: Dr Shameem.
December 11, 2006... Attempts by Fijis society of lawyers to suspend lawyers working for the Fiji military have been declared unlawful. That was the opinion of the watchdog of human rights in Fiji, the Fiji Human Rights Commission in a letter sent to the...

Former PM acquitted.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- A former prime minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka is a free man after a court in Suva found him not guilty of two counts of inciting mutiny. Wife Sulueti, and daughter Bulou, applauded and cheered with some...

Judge rejects MPs no work appeal.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 HONIARA (Pacnews)- The Solomon High Court has rejected a submission from the prosecution to ban East Honiara MP, Charles Dausabea from performing his parliamentarian duties whilst on bail, Solomon Star reports.. The MP...

Probe into Nukualofa riot continues.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews)- Tongan police say investigations into last months riots are continuing. According to a government survey, a total of 143 businesses were damaged and some were totally burnt down. The police...

Fiji Coup Is Failure for Australia, New Zealand, Lawmaker Says.
December 11, 2006... Reports from Bloomberg.com. 11 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Fiji's military coup shows the failure of Australia and New Zealand to engage with countries in the Pacific region and treat their neighbors as equals, the island nation's ousted...

Assessors split over former Prime minister's trial.
December 11, 2006... 11 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Members of the assessors in the trial involving former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka are split over charges of inciting mutiny against him. On the fist count of inciting mutiny three out of the five...

Fiji suspended from Commonwealth.
December 11, 2006... 09 DECEMBER 2006 LONDON (Pacnews) - Fiji is to be immediately suspended from the Commonwealth following a military coup earlier this week, ministers at an emergency meeting of the international organisation announced overnight. Fiji's...

Application in for Fiji 'interim posts'.
December 11, 2006... 09 DECEMBER 2006 SUVA (Pacnews)- Applications for ministerial positions for the caretaker government are progressing well, says military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni. Major Leweni said the military had received written applications but he...