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MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Feb. 7) - The people of Kiribati will be voting in the final leg of the country's long, drawn out election process in just over two weeks.

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, February 25th, to elect their President for the next four years.

The current election process began in November with the first round of voting for seats in the Kiribati Parliament.

Under the original schedule, the newly elected Parliament was to meet at the end of December to choose the Presidential candidates who would have faced the people on January the thirty-first.

However, the Parliament could not meet until January the sixth and that led to a delay in the vote for President which will now take place in just over a fortnight.

Although there are three candidates, the real battle is between the current President, Teburoro Tito, and the Opposition's nominee, Taberannang Timeon, a former Secretary to Cabinet.

The Opposition...

NUKU‘ALOFA, Tonga (Pacific Islands Report, Feb. 7) – Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals in Tonga now have a better foundation to discuss related issues.

ICT professionals have set up Tonga’s National Information and Communications Technology Society (NICTS).

It will serve as a forum for ICT professionals and interested users from both government and non-government organizations to discuss and participate in issues affecting ICT development in Tonga.

Siosaia Fonua, NICTS President says ICT is an important tool for national development and economic growth impacting all sectors of the economy."ICT offers new opportunities for national development including more effective government, telehealth, electronic commerce, tourism marketing and improved communications overall," said Fonua.

"We hope that the new society (NICTS) can be an advocate for higher standards of service, better coordination and educating and developing our...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, Feb. 7) - The Cook Islands is bracing for Cyclone Dovi, which yesterday was intensifying and slowly moving southwest at about 10 knots.

The Fiji Meterological Service said Cyclone Dovi was expected to reach the Southern Cooks by today or tomorrow.

Since last night, gale force winds have lashed the northern Cooks Islands.

The Cook Islands Civil Defence says reports from the Northern islands of Suwarrow, Manihiki, Pukapuka and Nassau indicate minimal damage to homes.

Its Operations Commander, Inspector Tangaroa says that there is concern for Rakahanga Island because of the loss of communication links there.

He says attempts are currently underway to establish links with Rakahanga Island.

"We're getting some observation there from those in the northern group and no damage has been reported," said Tangaroa. " There is one island, Rakahanga, there is a breakdown of communication but were trying to raise them up and...

NOUMEA, New Caledonia (Oceania Flash, Feb. 6) - New Caledonia mango and lime producers are launching a major offensive on the New Zealand market this year, with the goal of exporting 15 tons of mangoes and 12 tons of limes, RFO's Télé-Nouvelle-Calédonie reports.

This week, a first shipment of two tons of limes and three tons of mangoes left the French Pacific territory for New Zealand.

Arbofruits, a local company, is centralizing production and ensures it satisfies health and quarantine regulations for the New Zealand market.

Its director, Simsy Lefevre, however admitted that at present, New Caledonia's mangoes and limes were facing harsh competition from another producer: Ecuador, which is currently a major "and much cheaper" supplier to the New Zealand market .

February 7, 2003

Oceania Flash: E-mail/Courriel: padec@iname.com