PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from October 2008

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from October 2008

Cabinet reshuffle secures Natapeis hold on power.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Vanuatus ruling government has secured it hold on power, offering three cabinet portfolios to opposition Union of Moderate Parties (UMP). Prime Minister Edward Natapei reshuffled his cabinet later...

Melanesia visa delay disappointment voiced.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- There are calls to change the way New Zealand and Australia process entry visas for Melanesians, reports TVNZ. It can take up to six weeks for people from Papua New Guinea ( PNG),Vanuatu and the...

Sir Paul Reeves calls for New Zealand and Fiji to talk.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- Commonwealth Secretary Generals Special envoy to Fiji and former New Zealand Governor General, Sir Paul Reeves says New Zealand and the Fiji interim government need to sit down and talk., reports Radio...

Canberra urged to rethink PNG aid policy.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ----- Australia must radically rethink the way it provides aid to Papua New Guinea (PNG), a leading think-tank says, reports The Age. Jenny Hayward-Jones, of The Lowy Institute, said PNGs most pressing...

MP calls for New Zealand Parliament to put aside time to hear from Pacific counterparts.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ------ A New Zealand MP has suggested Parliament set a aside a week a year to allow the politicians to build closer links with their Pacific counterparts, reports Radio New Zealand International. ...

Pacific countries worrying about losing LDC status.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 NEW YORK ------Three Pacific Islands countries have called on the United Nations to urgently review the criteria for classifying some nations as least developed countries, Radio New Zealand International reports. Early next...

Cervical cancer is Fijis top killer among women.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Cervical cancer is Fijis leading cancer causing unnecessary ill health and death among women in the reproductive age group, reports Fiji Sun. Interim Health minister Doctor Jiko Luveni made the comments...

Remengesau confirms run for Palau senate.
October 1, 2008... 01OCTOBER 2008 KOROR (Pacnews) ---- Palau President Tommy Remengesau finally made it official that he is a candidate for the national Senate in the upcoming November general election, reports Pacific Magazine. Until his announcement...

Archbishop Desmond Tutu to visit Solomon Islands next year.
October 1, 2008... 01OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu will visit Solomon Islands next year, Solomon Star reports. Education minister Mathew Wale said this to dispel earlier media reports that Bishop Tutu is not going...

Former Fiji journalist named managing editor of Pacific Magazine.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Pacific Magazine today announced the appointment of veteran Pacific journalist Ulamila Kurai Wragg as its Managing Editor. Her appointment is effective today. Ms Wragg was the magazines Cook Islands...

Pacific guests no solution.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------ The planned guest worker scheme is probably the Rudd Government's worst policy initiative so far. Importing 2500 unskilled workers from poor Pacific islands for fruit picking and other low-paid jobs...

Former PNG leader calls for New Zealand to extend seasonal labour scheme.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- Former Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, is calling on New Zealand to extend its seasonal labour scheme to his country, reports Radio New Zealand International. PNG is...

French Government unveils increased budget for overseas.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 PARIS (Pacnews) ----- French Governments State Secretary for Overseas Yves Jgo has unveiled an increased budget allocation for one facet of its assistance to France's overseas departments and territories, reports Oceania Flash....

Somare office attacked.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somares Wewak office was attacked on Monday morning allegedly by disgruntled relatives of the late former National Alliance party East Sepik...

Tonga agrees to Freedom of Information.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- Tongan Government ministers and parliamentarians agree that Freedom of Information (FOI) is needed in the Kingdom but its introduction as a bill and time frame received mixed reactions. The move to...

FAO helping Pacific farmers to increase production.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) -----Pacific Island countries will benefit from US$2.5 million of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisations emergency assistance to increase food production, reports Radio New Zealand...

FSM President meets with U.S interior Secretary Kempthrone.
October 1, 2008... 01 OCTOBER 2008 HONOLULU (Pacnews) ----- FSM President Emanuel Mori has met with the United States Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne in Honolulu at the fringes of the Leaders Summit on the Future of Health Care in the Insular Areas and the...

United States Government propose listing 48 Hawaiian species at once.
October 1, 2008... Reports from Associated Press. 01 OCTOBER 2008 HONOLULU (Pacnews) The federal government took a new, ecosystem-based approach to the endangered species list on Tuesday, proposing an all-at-once addition of 48 species, including plants, two...

Solomon Islands confronts EU over economic deal.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 BRUSSELS (Pacnews) ------ Solomon Islands can only sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) if it is not asked to make impossible commitments in the agreement, reports Solomon Star. But...

Solomons Chief Justice says aid providers to the Pacific need to be more open.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer says it is important that New Zealand does not have pre-conceived ideas on how development aid should be spent, reports Radio New Zealand International....

Another Pacific airline withdraws service due to losses.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Another Pacific airline has confirmed it also lost millions of dollars to of its international destination. This comes only weeks after another Pacific Airline, Air Niugini withdraws its flights to...

New Cook Islands health fees ease burden.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ----- Health services in the Cook Islands may soon be cheaper if the islands cabinet approves new recommendations for fees next week. Cook Islands News reports the new fees are expected to ease the...

Pacific officials say Australian patrol boats vital for security.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) -----A Pacific Forum official says security in some parts of the Pacific is at risk if Australia ends financial support for 22 naval patrol boats operating in 12 countries, reports Radio Australia. The...

Recommendations from Tonga workshop on Parliament and the Media.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- Tongan parliamentarians and the media have applauded the three day workshop on Parliament and the Media conducted by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretariat and the Parliament of Tonga in...

New Zealand, Taiwan team up to fight illegal fishing in Pacific.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 TAIPEI (Pacnews) ----- Taiwans Fisheries Agency says the nations fishermen should be aware of new measures implemented to help New Zealand and Taiwan combat illegal fishing in the Pacific, reports Taipei Times. The agency...

Fijis timber industry could lose 3000 jobs.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Some 3000 jobs in Fijis timber and sawmilling industry may be lost if the department of Forests does not review its decision for a 56 per cent to 270 per cent increase in timber royalties, reports Fiji Live....

Taiwan purse seiner fined US$100,000 by Kiribati.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 TARAWA (Pacnews) ----- A Taiwanese fishing boat, Fong Seong 779, was arrested inside Kiribatis 200 mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters for failing to comply with the regional Kurukuru Operation, an agreement signed by...

Protection of Pacifics life support systems boosted with new funding.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The protection of natural environments critical to the survival of millions of people in the Pacific will be boosted with a new financial commitment from Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited. ...

Fiji power crisis as dam runs low.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) has warned of a potential energy crisis, which could worse if the current dry spell continues, reports The Fiji Times. FEA chief executive officer Hasmukh Patel said...

Effective Parliament enables better service.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- An effective Parliament leads to effective governance enabling better service for everyone. This was the theme of a three day (30/09/08-02/10/08) Orientation Workshop for Members of the 9th Parliament of...

PNG leaders drunk with pride: Kimisopa.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- The leadership of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is so intoxicated with pride and arrogance that humility, decency and honesty cannot be found, former internal security minister and businessman Bire Kimisopa...

Vanuatu Government attempts a tightrope act over looming motion.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- Vanuatus Government is hoping its cabinet reshuffle will ensure it has the numbers to defeat the motion of no-confidence it will face in parliament tomorrow, reports Radio New Zealand International... .

PNG-China trade thriving, says Chinese envoy.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- Trade between China and Papua New Guinea (PNG)continues to grow, with the total volume of bilateral trade for the first half of this year recording US$488 million (K1.3 billion), Chinese Ambassador...

Sogavare slams PMs statement on RAMSI.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare says a statement Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua made on Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is premature and a blatant disregard of...

New Caledonia renews alcohol ban experiment for another weekend.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 NOUMEA (Pacnews) -------New Caledonias experimental weekend ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol is to be reimposed for a second weekend, the French High commission has announced, reports Oceania Flash. The measure...

2008 Pacific Immigration Directors Conference.
October 2, 2008... 02 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Directors of Immigration from 17 countries across the Pacific attended the 12th annual Pacific Immigration Directors Conference (PIDC), which was held in Brisbane, Australia, from the 16 - 18 September 2008....

EPA negotiations is dividing our rank Sir John Kaputin.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 ACCRA (Pacnews) ------- Secretary General of the African Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP), Sir John Kaputin, has expressed regret about the split within the ranks of the group with respect to the Economic Partnership...

Ousted ruling party file legal action against interim government peoples chapter.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Fijis ousted ruling party the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party (SDL) Party has filed a writ of summons against the island nation President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, some members of the Interim Government and...

Cook Islands may lose One Laptop Per Child' Pilot Project.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ----- A procedural difference between the Cook Islands Education Ministry and Secretariat of the Pacific Community ( SPC) threatens the possibility of the country being among the first in the region to take...

Natapei labels his rival Vohor, a true statesman.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Vanuatus Prime Minister Edward Natapei has described Serge Vohor as a true statesman when he decided to take his Union of Moderate Parties (UMP)s seven members of parliament to join the government,...

Leading Solomon Islands with Melanesian values.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Executive leaders from Correctional Services and across government have learnt new ways to fight corruption by bringing Melanesian experiences and values together with the values needed for good...

Motion against PM Natapei defeated.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- The opposition sponsored motion of no-confidence against Vanuatus new government has been defeated, by 31 votes to 20. Opposition Leader, Maxime Carlot Korman explained the motion was to highlight...

Former TV boss in Samoa faces sixty eight charges of theft.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ----- A former chief executive of Samoas state owned television company, Tuiasau Leota Uelese Petaia, is facing 68 theft charges, reports Radio New Zealand International. The offences occurred while Tuiasau...

Samoan RAMSI officer back in court.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands magistrate yesterday adjourned the hearing of Samoan Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) police officer, Misi Matamu until 15 October. Mr Matamu, 29, was charged...

Maori fisheries leader plans an Hawaiki brand for the Pacific.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ------ The deputy chair of New Zealands Maori fisheries agency, Te Ohu Kaimoana, says Maori and Pacific Island fishing operations could benefit from the creation of a regional Hawaiki brand, reports Radio...

Cuba offers medical scholarships to Cook Islands.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ------ Cuba can provide scholarships to the Cook Islands, especially to study medicine, says visiting ambassador Jose Garcia, reports Cook Islands News . Mr Garcia is on a five-day visit to Rarotonga and...

Former NZ immigration boss acknowledged assisting Kiribati family.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- New Zealands former Immigration Service boss Mary-Anne Thompson has acknowledged her actions in assisting family members into New Zealand from Kiribati were unwise, reports Newstalk ZB. Ms Thompson...

Tongas royal patron for Whales.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 VAVAU (Pacnews) --------In honour of the Tongan Royal Familys commitment to protecting whales, Her Royal Highness Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita was officially declared the Royal Patron for Whales in the Kingdom of...

Fiji interim PM not sure of next election.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said he does not know when the next elections will be held in Fiji. Commodore Bainimarama told Fiji Village he cannot say at this stage whether...

NZ mission visa service prompt.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- The New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby yesterday said it provides its clients with a very prompt visa service, reports The National. The shortest time it took was a day and that happened...

Digital Pacific needs leadership to take a stand.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ----- The digital strategy in the Pacific Plan will remain a footnote if no regional leader makes a stand to push for Information, Communications and Technologies (ICT), says chairman of the Pacific Islands...

Dates for Bougainville Presidential election released.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 BUKA (Pacnews) -----Papua New Guineas (PNG) autonomous Bougainville region will have a new president by Christmas, reports Radio New Zealand International. The PNG electoral commission said a by-election will decide who...

Solomon Islands community Outreach to Bring Criminals to Justice Continues.
October 3, 2008... 03 OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ The Former Chairman of the Solomon Islands National Peace Council, Mr Paul Tovua has again joined police and RAMSI officials on the Weather Coast to talk with the community about finding the best way to...

Australian Federal Police back in PNG - but not on the beat.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ----- Australian Federal Police (AFP) have returned to Papua New Guinea (PNG) after leaving three years ago amid declining relations between John Howard and the Government of Sir Michael Somare, reports Sydney...

UNHCR rejects Papuans' resettlement plea.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says it will not resettle more than 100 West Papuan refugees living in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to Vanuatu, reports ABC news. The Papuan...

Temporary suspension for Airline Tonga.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- Airline Tongas air operators certificate (AOC) has been temporarily suspended as of 08 September, Tongas minister of Transport. Paul Karalus confirmed to Matangi Tonga. Airline Tonga had been given...

Programme to improve Tokelau infrastructure underway.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- Tokelaus New Zealand administrator, David Payton says approval for a project to improve the infrastructure and transport will continue efforts to bring three atolls into the 21st century continues. ...

ACP summit issues first decision on EPA with EU.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 ACCRA (Pacnews) ----- The sixth biennial summit of the 79-member African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states has ended in Accra, Ghana with issuing its first decision, reports Xinhua News Agency . According to official...

USP campus to be establish in Solomon Islands.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra has reaffirmed USPs commitment to the establishment of a fourth campus in Solomon Islands, SIBC reports . Mr Chandra...

FFA members support Tonga's bid to list vessel for illegal fishing.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 POHNPEI (Pacnews) ------ At the Fourth Regular Session of the Technical and Compliance Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), in Pohnpei this week, Tonga pursued its bid to get Taiwanese...

Shipper halts hiring I-Kiribati seamen after drugs arrests.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 TARAWA (Pacnews) --- The international shipping firm Columbus Line has announced it will stop hiring I-Kiribati seamen in future, reports Pacific Magazine. Captain Peter Lange, of South Pacific Marine Service, the agency...

EU trade Commissioner Mandelson resigns to join UK Government.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 BRUSSELS (Pacnews) ----- European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has resigned to join the UK government on the invitation by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mr Peter Mandelson, today submitted his...

Samoa slams Pacific over WHO appointment.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ---- Samoas acting Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni, has expressed Samoas extreme disappointment that a highly respected Tongan official has missed out on a top regional job, reports Samoa Observer . Mr Telefoni...

PNG HIV/AIDS patients over-run hospital.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 BUKA (Pacnews) ----Forty per cent of beds at the Port Moresby General Hospital are taken up by patients with HIV related illnesses according to Nasfund general manager Mr Rod Mitchell, reports Post Courier. Mr Mitchell said...

Dengue fever on the rise in AmericanSamoa.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ----- Health officials in American Samoa say there were more confirmed cases of dengue fever reported in the U.S. territory in September than in all of2007, reports AP. The Department of Health said the...

Ombudsman frustrated with lack of urgency on freedom of information.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ---- The fire which razed the Cook Islands Ombudsmans office on 18 September is a setback to implementing the freedom of information regime under the Official Information Act (OIA), reports Cook Islands News....

Fiji Police create new unit to handle crisis.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Fijis police commissioner, Commodore Esala Teleni has announced the formation of a paramilitary police unit - Ready Action Force (RAF). RAF formerly known as the Fiji Police Mobile Division (PMD) will...

Second NZ lawyer facing Samoan arrest.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ---- A prominent Auckland lawyer has had to flee Samoa after a group of plainclothes men tried to seize her in the capital Apia. I had to leave Samoa in circumstances that were not pleasant, lawyer Olinda...

Every child in PNG to get a laptop each: Dr Temu.
October 6, 2008... 06 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Schools throughout Papua New Guinea ( PNG) the country will be introduced to the One Laptop Per Child programme which is aimed at enhancing students learning capacity, PNGS deputy Prime minister and...

PNG terrorism threat from Asia.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- Refugees from a terrorist zone in Asia are paying up to K30,000 (US$11,703) to be smuggled into Papua New Guinea (PNG) and given a job, reports Post Courier. This revelation came from our...

Digicel preparing to launch in Solomon Islands.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- The fastest growing telecommunication operator in the Pacific, Digicel is gearing up to launch its eagerly-awaited mobile phone network in Solomon Islands with at least one top job already being...

American Samoa to develop population policy.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ---- American Samoa is hoping to develop a population policy to deal with the nation's rapidly increasing population growth. The American territory is holding its first ever Population Summit this week....

Pacific nurses converge in Fiji.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Registered nurses from Fiji and the region are meeting in Suva this week to discuss issues which contribute to the mass migration of the health workers, reports The Fiji Times. The Fiji Nursing...

Sharma sees the quest for globalism, governance and growth as driving the Commonwealth forward.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 LONDON (Pacnews) ---- Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on 02 October 2008 outlined his vision for the Commonwealth in a major speech delivered six months to the day since taking up the post. Many of the...

Global turmoil hits New Zealand.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- The New Zealand Government has slashed its economic growth forecast to nearly zero and said its accounts would fall deep into the red amid the country's first recession in a decade and global financial...

Nuku'alofa CBD works to start November.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- The construction of facilities for a modern Nuku'alofa Central Business District will start in November. Matangi Tonga reports the construction largely funded by a $120 million pa'anga (US$59...

PNG work hard to access funds: Dr Temu.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guinea (PNG) needs to work harder to get the $US2.8 billion Climate Change funds that Norway has made available for developing countries, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu said yesterday,...

French State Secretary for overseas to visit French Polynesia.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ----- French State Secretary for Overseas Yves Jgo is to visit French Polynesia this week to hold talks with French Polynesia's President Gaston Tong Sang, reports Oceania Flash. Mr Jgo is also scheduled...

Pacific Blue to launch direct flights to Solomon Islands.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ------ Pacific Blue, the New Zealand-based subsidiary of Australian airline Virgin Blue, has announced that it will launch direct flights between Brisbane, Australia, and the Solomon Islands on 02 December this...

Fiji to sign Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement, Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety Security Treaty.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Fiji will sign the Forums Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement (PIASA). PIASA is a framework for the gradual integration of aviation services for the members of the Pacific Islands Forum. This...

Vanuatu ready to take us, say West Papua refugees.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ The West Papuan refugees in Papua New Guinea (PNG) who were evicted from Eight-Mile, National Capital District, last year said land was no longer an issue as they wanted to leave for a third country...

Pacific islands worker fears.
October 7, 2008... 07 OCTOBER 2008 VICTORIA (Pacnews) ---- With the Australian Government about to trial a three year guest work programme that will lead 2500 workers from the Pacific islands working in the horticultural field, there are warnings today that...

Solomons PM denies claims of split in government coalition.
October 8, 2008... 08 OCTOBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua has denied claims from the island nations opposition of a split within his coalition government, SIBC reports . Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare...

Fiji envoy unlikely to chair political forum.
October 8, 2008... 08 OCTOBER AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ----- The Commonwealth's special envoy to Fiji has indicated its unlikely he will be chairing the political forum in the island nation, proposed for later this year. The proposed political forum was to bring...