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Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

News Release

The Rt. Rev'd Dr. Terry M. Brown
Editor, Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report
Currently Bishop-in-charge, Church of the Ascension
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Formerly Anglican Church of Melanesia Bishop of Malaita (1996-2008)

April 27, 2013

Solomon Islands Truth And Reconciliation Commission Report Released

After much prayer and reflection, as editor of the final Report of the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), I have decided to release the Report in its digital form to the general public. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act (2008) requires that the report be given to the Prime Minister who is then to table it in Parliament, at which point it becomes public. The Chair of the TRC gave the Final Report to the Prime Minister at the...

Overseas students at UPNG have threatened to drop classes

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, May 2, 2013) – The Solomon Islands government is assuring students on government scholarships at the University of Papua New Guinea that their registration fees will be paid tomorrow.

The assurance follows a report in the Solomon Star newspaper that the students have threatened to withdraw from school if the government fails to pay off their registration fees.

More than 100 students say they will take the action tomorrow after receiving warning letters from the university’s vice chancellor but the High Commissioner to PNG, William Haomae, says he has been in contact with the government.

"Especially the ministry of education in Honiara since late last week and all of this week and we have been assured by the ministry of education in Honiara that the students’ registration fees will be paid by...

Guam Schools’ Internet Services Reportedly Inadequate Contractor: services tied up due to construction permit delays

By Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, May 3, 2013) – Guam's 40 public schools receive slower Internet speed and limited capacity for online learning compared to what they are supposed to receive under a 5-year agreement with contractor Pacific Data Systems (PDS).

The speed is so slow the federal government is unwilling to reimburse Guam for the cost, according to documents obtained by losing bidder GTA, which has called for an extensive audit of the contract.

Guam's 27 elementary schools, eight middle schools and five high schools were provided Internet connection by contractor PDS with the expectation that the Guam Department of Education (DOE) would be reimbursed for the cost under the federal E-rate program.

GTA states, in letters to the public auditor, the legislative leadership and the Office of the...

May 1 rallies held to mark 50th annexation anniversary

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, May 2, 2013) – There are reports from Indonesia’s Papua that at least two demonstrators were killed by security forces in one of a number of rallies across the region opposing Indonesian rule.

The rally in Sorong is believed to be one of several in Papua region marking May 1st, the 50th Anniversary of Indonesia’s annexation of Western New Guinea, which were forcibly dispersed by police.

A West Papua activist Yoab Syatfle reports that two Papuan men were shot dead while two others were injured in the Sorong demonstration.

There are few details available about the deaths.

Elsewhere in West Papuan May Day rallies, five people were arrested in Timika for raising the banned Papuan Morning Star Flag and an activist with the West Papua National Committee was arrested in Jayapura.

There were rallies to mark the anniversary in other parts...