PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from May 2005

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from May 2005

Marshall Islands welcomes the Taiwanese President, Chen Shui-bian.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 MAJURO (Pacnews) ---- Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian was given a red carpet welcome to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) yesterday (01 May), becoming the first such Taiwanese leader to visit the Pacific nation. ...

Niue finance minister faces election loss.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 ALOFI (Pacnews) ---- It was touch and go for former Finance Minister Toke Talagi. He lost his common roll seat in the 11th general election on Niue by two votes. If past history is any guide he's unlikely to win a recount....

Tourism thriving in region.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Statistics from the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) show tourism in the South Pacific is growing at a steady pace. In 2004, 1,173,260 tourists visited the Pacific region, an increase of 96,444...

Temaru in Paris for official visit.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 PARIS (Pacnews) ---- French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru arrived Saturday (31 April) in Paris, where he was to hold talks with French government officials since returning to power in Tahiti, Tahiti Presse reports. Temaru...

New Ambassador to the EU.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- Senior Foreign Affairs official Joseph Ma'ahanua has been commissioned to be Solomon Islands ambassador to the European Union (EU). The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reports his appointment was...

Fiji delegation to hold talks in Port Vila this week.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- A high level Fiji government delegation is expected in Port Vila this week to hold consultations with Vanuatu authorities on the trade ban imposed on Fiji biscuits in March this year. A senior foreign affairs...

Samoa now requires visa from American Samoan visitors.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 APIA (Pacnews) --- All U.S. nationals from American Samoa must now have a visa in order to visit neighbouring Samoa. The new immigration requirement came into force yesterday (01 May), following bilateral talks in both Samoa and...

Port tariff rise deferred to July.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 NUKU'ALOFA (Pacnews) ---- A 25 per cent increase in Nuku'alofa's port tariffs due to start on 01 April has been deferred until 01 July by the Nuku'alofa Port Authority. The change of heart came after a meeting between...

Australia out of line, says Wenge.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 PORT MOREBY (Pacnews) ---- Australia is out of line subjecting Papua New Guinean leaders to undignified airport searches when its own citizens are international terrorists and drug traffickers, says Morobe Governor Luther Wenge. ...

Guards in shooting claim.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- One of the two Fijian guards killed in a helicopter crash near Baghdad last week may have been shot at by Islamic insurgents, Radio Fiji News reports. Unconfirmed reports from Fijian guards in Iraq said...

Capital Trust opens in Cook Islands.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- A new offshore trust and banking company has opened its doors in Cook Islands. Capital Trust (Cook Islands) Limited is managed by John Low and Maine Brown. Mr Low was until recently with the Forum...

U.S apologises for mistaken identity.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY SUVA (Pacnews) --- The United States embassy in Fiji has apologised to families of the two security guards killed in Iraq recently, after it found out that one of the remains brought to the country belonged to an American also killed in...

Nobles go the polls tomorrow.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Tongan nobles will go to the polls tomorrow (03 May) to elect two representatives in the Legislative Assembly, after two of their members were appointed to cabinet. Appointed to cabinet were Hon. Nuku, who is...

Former Niue diplomat elected to parliament.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 ALOFI (Pacnews) ---- The former Niue High Commissioner to New Zealand says he has his sights set on helping the island achieve two main goals after being elected into parliament at the weekend. Hima Takelesi returned to Niue...

Missing crew safe after vessel missing in Solomons waters.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- An Australian fishing boat, missing for several weeks in Solomon Islands, has been found, and the six crew are safe and well. The Ability had not been heard from since 13 April. Five crew had made it...

PNG's Milne Bay declares interest in gaining autonomy.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Another Papua New Guinea province has indicated it wants to follow Bougainville towards autonomy. Milne Bay Governor, Tim Neville has raised the issue in parliament, reports Radio Australia. ...

Security breach at Nauru's refugee processing centre.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) --- A security breach at Australia's asylum seeker processing centre on Nauru has embarrassed staff, baffled local police and delayed wages being paid to 89 local employees. Thieves escaped with about...

FFA members join global effort to stop illegal fishing.
May 2, 2005... 02 MAY 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Fisheries minister from Pacific Island countries are in Canada this week to seek concrete action from the international community to tackle the problem of illegal fishing on the high seas. Pacific Island...

Forum Says Forestry Minister Contradicting PM's Stand on Logging.
May 2, 2005... PNG 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): The Eco-Forestry Forum in Papua New Guinea says the Minister for Forests has contradicted the Prime Minister on the future of the country's forestry resources. The Forum says Forests Minister Patrick Pruaitch is...

Australian Police Could Pull Out.
May 2, 2005... PNG 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): The outspoken governor of Morobe province, Luther Wenge, has once again attacked Australia over its Enhanced Cooperation Program with Papua New Guinea, this time saying his nation should look to Asia and not Australia...

Unions Threaten National Strike Over NPF Loss.
May 2, 2005... SOLOMON IS 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): - Trade unions representing much of the country's workforce have threatened to resort to a nationwide strike if government fails to comply with resolutions to overhaul the Solomon Islands National Provident...

Fuel Price Up, Fares to Follow.
May 2, 2005... FIJI 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): Bus and taxi operators are expected to push for a significant rise in fares following a 10 to 14 cent increase in fuel prices coming into effect today. Prices and Incomes Board secretary Ane Naulivou said the new...

Documents Needed to Travel Between the Samoas.
May 2, 2005... AMERICAN SAMOA 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): All US nationals from American Samoa must now have a visa in order to visit neighbouring Samoa. The new immigration requirement came into force Sunday and follows bilateral talks in both Samoa and the...

Volcano Warning System Needed.
May 2, 2005... CNMI 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): The majority of the 13 Northern Marianas volcanoes have no real-time, ground-based monitoring at all, despite the U.S. Geological Survey's assessment that at least four of them pose high threat to aviation and...

Prospect of UNDP North Pacific Office Played Down.
May 2, 2005... FSM 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): Officials in the Federated States of Micronesia say they're unwilling at the moment to help pay for setting up the first United Nations development office in the northern Pacific. The UNDP programme officer for...

Taiwan President Visits.
May 2, 2005... MARSHALL ISLANDS 02 May 2005 (Pacnews): The President of Taiwan has become the first president to make a state visit to the Marshall Islands - as his political opponent visits Beijing. Chen Shui-bian was been welcomed with a state dinner...

Final vote counts to be finalised today.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 ALOFI (Pacnews) --- Niue's Finance Minister Toke Talagi and the Alofi South businesswoman Maihetoe Hekau will know later today who will become the new Member of Parliament. Provisional results put Mrs Hekau two votes ahead of Mr...

Goff names new High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- New Zealand career diplomat, John Bryan has been named as the next High Commissioner to the Cook Islands. Foreign Minister Phil Goff made the announcement today. Mr Bryan is the former New Zealand...

Business Forum agrees on regional private sector organisation.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- A regional meeting of representatives of Forum Island countries in Nadi, Fiji has unanimously supported the establishment of a Regional Private Sector Organisation (RPSO). The idea was mandated by the 2004...

Family angered by Iraq body mix-up.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- A mix-up in the bodies of two Fijian security guards killed in Iraq has angered one of the men's families. The guards died on 21 April along with six Americans and three Bulgarians when the helicopter they...

One more CNMI islands eyed for military use.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ---- The U.S. Department of Defense is moving to expand its training activities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The Defense Department and the CNMI government, through Lt. Gov. Diego...

Taiwan leader praises Marshalls president for support in China secession row.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 MAJURO (Pacnews) ---- The Taiwanese president, Chen Shui-bian, has praised the Marshall Islands for being a staunch ally of Taipei after China passed its anti-secession law. President Chen was addressing a special session of the...

Fiji's sugar industry prepares for changes in EU prices.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---Fiji, like other African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states has implemented reforms to its sugar industry, in anticipation of the recent ruling of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which ruled in favour of...

Joint ACP/EU suggests resolution to political issues before review of Solomon Islands constitution.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- A joint African, Caribbean and Pacific and European Union (ACP/EU) mission that visited Solomon Islands early this year says more political issues need to be addressed before the country can consider reviewing...

Door for dialogue with China still open: Chen.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 MAJURO (Pacnews) --- Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian has invited China to talks under the principles of peace, democracy and parity. "The door for dialogue and negotiation is still open between the two sides," Chen said in a...

Army reserve troops take part in Solomons' mission.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- A second rotation of Army Reserve troops has arrived in Solomon Islands to support the Australian Federal Police mission restoring law and order. Eleven soldiers from the 11th Brigade, based in Rockhampton...

Fiji's PM confident of a return to power at next years elections.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase is confident of a return to power for his Soqosoqo Ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party, come next year's general elections. In an interview with Pacific Magazine, Mr...

Two new nobles elected to the Legislative Assembly.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 NUKU'ALOFA (Pacnews) ---- Hon. 'Ahome'e has been elected as the Nobles' representative of Tongatapu to the Legislative Assembly for a two year term. The Tonga Broadcasting Corporation reports that Hon. 'Ahome'e won the election...

PNG caught in the culture of aid dependency.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----The Papua New Guinea's chief secretary, Joshua Kalione says over the past 29-years, Papua New Guineans have developed a culture of dependency and conditionality. "In the process, we have also got...

French Polynesia feels closer to Europe than to America, Asia: Temaru.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 PARIS (Pacnews) ---- French Polynesia's President Oscar Temaru says because of historical and cultural ties with France, his island country feels closer to Europe than to the United States or the Asian bloc. President Temaru,...

PINA president on Media Freedom Day.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Lance Polu believes media freedom is a core platform of democracy. In his message on Media Freedom Day today, Polu said the business of the media...

Naval Officers Held for Illegal Logging.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 PAPUA - Two mid-ranking officers from the Indonesian Navy have been arrested for illegal logging offences in the province of Papua. The local military commander in Sorong says the two officers were arrested on Saturday and were...

Dinner's Served.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 - Australian Federal MP Bob Secombe and his wife Carmen displaying a monster mud crab during last week's visit to New Ireland. Governor Ling-Stuckey said on the eve of the visit that Papua New Guinea's relationship with Australia...

Brawling Police Ransack Security Office.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 PNG - Wewak police took part in a vicious street brawl with security guards outside a supermarket Monday and later the security firm's office was ransacked and a female employee assaulted and badly injured. The rampage arose from an...

Protest Shuts Down Madang Schools.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 PNG - Teachers throughout Madang Monday began an indefinite stop-work over non-payment of salary and other working conditions. Government schools were the worst affected. PNG Teacher's Association (PNGTA) Madang branch president...

Five More Coup Suspects Await Sentence.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 FIJI - Yet another five men charged with offences committed during the seizure of parliament and hostage crisis in May 2000 will know their fate this Thursday. Joji Bakoso, Metuisela Mua, Eroni Lewaqai, Viliame Sausauwai and Tevita...

Deputy DPP Resigns Over Early Releases.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 FIJI - Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Peter Ridgway has resigned from office and will leave his post in two weeks. His resignation comes amid the release of several prominent people convicted for coup-related charges and then...

Opposition Trusts PM's Word on Alleged Reconciliation Bill.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 FIJI - Opposition leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says he is accepting the word of prime minister Qarase, who says there's no bill to reconcile coup convicts. Both Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his junior coalition partner, the...

Families Suffer for American Blunder.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 FIJI - Two families continue to wait to bury their dead after the U-S Embassy informed them of a mix-up in bodies shipped from Iraq resulting in an American body being shipped to Fiji instead of one of the Fijians. American...

Taiwanese President Vows to Expand Links.
May 3, 2005... 03 MAY 2005 MARSHALL IS - Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian says economic links between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands will expand further. Chen, who is visiting the Republic of the Marshall Islands, told local leaders that in the six years...

PNG landowners tell World Bank to butt out.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Forest owners from two of Papua New Guinea's major logging areas say they want the World Bank to stop interfering with the control of logging operations in their provinces. Spokesman for the Gulf and...

DPP under attack over personal e-mail.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Defence lawyers in Fiji in an appeal case involving two convicted homosexuals will ask the high court to dis-bar the Director of public prosecutions (DPP) or any representative of his to appear as state lawyer...

Working together to improve livelihoods - Ombudsman.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- The Ombudsman in Vanuatu has called on members of parliament to work in collaboration with chiefs, provinces, churches, women, youth and the people of Vanuatu "to make the kind of laws needed to improve the...

Election recount continues.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 ALOFI (Pacnews) ---- Scrutineers from supporters of Finance Minister Toke Talagi and the election night successful common roll candidate businesswoman Maihetoe Hekau will today sit down and recount the weekend votes. The first...

Decreasing Tuna stock claim wrong.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Recent claims that Pacific tunas are disastrously over fished are wrong. This is the conclusion reached by five distinguished international fisheries scientists who published their findings this week in the...

Pacific Magazine Names 10 Most Powerful People In The Pacific.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Australian Prime Minister John Howard is the most powerful person in the Pacific Islands, says Pacific Magazine. The magazine claims that it is the first time that a Pacific news organization has attempted...

Fiji proposes a Reconciliation and Unity commission.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The Fiji government is proposing an independent Reconciliation and Unity Commission, a year away from the national elections. While Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has ruled out the proposal as an election...

RAMSI here to help, not to control: Batley.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- The head of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), James Batley says RAMSI is in the country to help the government and its people and not control them. Speaking to chiefs and...

Non-profit adoption agency looks to set up in Territory.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ---- A non-profit adoption agency is interested in setting up a first-ever adoption service in American Samoa. Leaders of the organisation, 'Journeys of the Heart', have been visiting American Samoa in the...

Somare, Neville in heated exchange.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Milne Bay governor Tim Neville had a heated exchange in Parliament over the illegal fishing boats and Misima Mines issue. During question...

Buka Hospital Delivers Siamese Twins Again!
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 PNG - Siamese or co-joined twins were born to a 32-year-old mother-of-five at the Buka Hospital in Bougainville Tuesday They are also the second Siamese twins to be born at the Buka Hospital. Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr...

Satellite Link Only For Police Work: Australia.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 PNG - The Australian High Commission says the satellite connection at the Boroko police station will only be used for local police network communications. "The dish has no other function than to support police operations...

Precision Robbery of Top Hotel.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 PNG - One of Pt. Moresby's top hotels, the Crown Plaza, was held up by five armed men who had the access code to the night duty manager's office. Police said the five drove through the hotel's main gate in the early hours of...

Transparency Defends Newspaper.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 VANUATU - The local branch of the watchdog group Transparency International has raised concerns after the government launched an attack on the Daily Post newspaper after it ran a news item questioning the lack of staff in the...

Chaudhry Blasts Home Affairs Minister.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 FIJI - A war of words has erupted between the Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola and Opposition Leader Mahendra Chaudhry over access to information about the May 2000 coup. Chaudhry has blasted the Home Affairs Minister for...

Prosecutor Explains Resignation.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 FIJI - The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will maintain its credibility as long as it stays out of politics, outgoing deputy DPP Peter Ridgway said yesterday. As he called it a day, Ridgway refuted reports that...

DPP Under Pressure for Church Email.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 FIJI - The lawyer defending a man jailed last month for homosexual activity wants the Director of Public Prosecutions to step down from the case for stating his beliefs about homosexuality in an email to his church members. ...

Immigrants Paid to Work for Garment Firm.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 CNMI - Some Chinese workers were made to pay between $4,500 and $8,000 just so they could work for the now defunct La Mode (Saipan) Inc., while others were not provided copies of their approved employment contracts or permits during...

Surfers Near Miss with Jetski.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 FRENCH POLYNESIA - A Tahitian surfer known for riding some of the world's biggest waves has had a lucky escape as the jetski that towed him onto a wave pitched back over the top and nearly collided with him. Raimana Van...

Australians Wrongfully Detained, Deported.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 REGION: At least 33 Australians have been wrongfully detained by their own immigration department in the past two years and others were mistakenly deported, sparking fresh criticism of Australia's tough immigration detention...

Tourist Terrified by 100 MPH Tow.
May 4, 2005... 04 MAY 2005 A tourist whose car broke down feared for his life after another motorist offered him a tow but then pulled him down a motorway at 100 mph. The tourist, 36, from Poland said he was amazed at the friendliness of the German after...

Media Freedom Day Message, 3 May 2005, from PINA President Apulu Lance Polu.
May 5, 2005... REGION May 3 (Pacnews): We, in the Pacific Islands News Association - PINA, join the world in commemorating Media Freedom Day today, May 3. This year's theme: Media Freedom and Good Governance is no less apt and resounding as our island...

China demands an explanation from the Fiji Government.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The Chinese Government will protest strongly to the Fijian Government over what it says 'possible official contacts" between Fiji and Taiwan. Suva-based Chinese Ambassador, Cai Jinbiao told PACNEWS that his...

Northern islands dig for water.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) -----The lack of clean drinking water is now a concern in the Cook Islands northern group of islands forcing its inhabitants to resort to digging for underground water, Cook Islands News reports. Opposition...

Chaudhry says reconciliation commission a political ploy.
May 5, 2005... 05 May 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fiji's opposition leader Mahendra Chaudhry has accused Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of misleading the nation by earlier denying that his government was preparing a Reconciliation Bill. Yesterday, in a...

Controversial "ethnic" census could take place in August.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 NOUMEA (Pacnews) ---- New Caledonia's controversial population census is expected to go ahead in August this year, two years behind schedule. The French territory's Congress discussed the idea of a statistical survey that...

Body identified - U.S officials.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The United States Embassy in Suva, Fiji has given the green light to the family of the late Timoci Lalaqila to proceed with the funeral arrangements after a family member positively identified his body. The...

Cook Islands PM admits to 'shaking the foundation of the coalition government'.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- Cook Islands Prime Minister Jim Marurai admits he is "shaking the foundation of the partnership government" after the swearing-in of a new cabinet minister. Cook Islands News reports that the prime...

Pacific Forum Line to be commercialised.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pac news) --- Papua New Guinea's parliament has given the go ahead for changes to be made to make the Pacific Forum Line (PFL) a fully commercialised entity. PNG holds 29 percent shares in the regional shipping...

Local cops want Australians out.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Disgruntled Papua New Guinean police personnel yesterday met with their union executives and demanded for the removal of the Australian Assisting Police (AAP). Yesterday's gathering at the Sir John...

CNMI police arrest three people with illegal firearms and drugs.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) --- Federal and Northern Marianas police intercepted a fishing vessel in the Northern Islands and arrested three people for alleged illegal possession of a firearm and marijuana, Saipan Tribune reports. ...

Honorary doctorate for former Sir Thomas.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- Former Cook Islands prime minister will be awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree at the Otago University graduation ceremony later this month. Sir Thomas Davis (87), who recently completed a term as...

Media council slams Telikom monopoly.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Telikom's monopoly stranglehold of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) skies for telecommunication purposes is hindering progress in the information and communication sector, The National reports. The...

Marshalls concerned about cocaine sales on Ebeye.
May 5, 2005... 05 MAY 2005 MAJURO (Pacnews) ---- There is growing concern in the Marshall Islands about continued cocaine problems on Ebeye Island, Radio New Zealand International reports. Ebeye is home to about 1,500 Marshall Islanders who work at the...