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Police commander says accused ‘destroy province’s good name’

By James Apa Gumuno

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, May 1, 2013) – In Papua New Guinea, four men have been arrested and charged with the willful murder of an Australian man and the gang-rape of a Filipino woman in Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands.

The four were among 10 men who allegedly broke into Banz Kofi at Kagamuga on March 15, shot dead the man and raped the woman.

The deceased was identified as Purdy Robert Peter, aged 65, of Melbourne, Australia.

Provincial police commander Supt. Martin Lakari said yesterday that two men were picked up by police on April 22 while another two were arrested last Saturday while travelling on a vehicle to Kindeng in Jiwaka.

Lakari said that they were arrested and charged with willful murder and rape.

He identified the suspects as Kabau Laibu, Sitili Kero, Monpi Papea and...

New administration so far quit on areas in Apia and Nuku’alofa

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, April 30, 2013) – The American Samoa government’s (ASG) real estate in Tonga and Samoa was one of the many issues that Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga brought up during a meeting two weeks ago with territorial leaders, which included Congressman Faleomavaega Eni and Interior Department official Nikolao Pula.

The issue of ASG land in those countries was brought up again during last week’s cabinet meeting, where Lolo told directors there were several items which he felt he needed to share with them to get their insight and to hear how they felt about them — one being the ASG land in Tonga and Samoa, and what should be done with that real estate.

The governor didn’t say what the new administration plans to do with the land.

SAMOA

During last year’s inter-Samoa talks, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and...

Company has allegedly fails to address land rent issues

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Times, May 1, 2013) – Landowners at the Guadalcanal Plantation Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) in the Solomon Islands have threatened to close off access to their land due to the company's failure to meet their demands.

Chairman of the GPPOL landowners’ pressure committee, Benedict Garimane, says this will be the only option left for the landowners if the company continues to ignore their demands.

"We have been asking the company to pay at least SB$250 [US$34.25], and at most SB$500 [US$68.50], per hectare per quarter as part of a new land rentals deal.

"We have also asked that land rentals be reviewed after every seven years, and this is not unreasonable considering current market demand for palm oil," said Mr. Garimane.

Mr. Garimane says current land rentals stand at SB$100 [US$13.70] per hectare, and he has been told that the company may only be willing to go as...

‘Eminent’ MSG member says Fiji should not be isolated from PIF

By Maika Bolatiki

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, May 1, 2013) – Australia and New Zealand should be real on how they treat Fiji. This was the message sent to them yesterday by the former Solomon Islands Prime Minister and member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) Eminent Persons Group, Manasseh Sogavare.

Speaking to the Fiji Sun from Holiday Inn Suva yesterday, Mr. Sogavare said Australia and New Zealand should be reminded that Fiji was an important member of the Pacific Islands Forum and it should not be isolated from the members.

"It’s time that they relooked at their stand on Fiji, especially on its roadmap to democracy that will see the country going to the polls in 2014," Mr. Sogavare said.

The former Prime Minister said sanctions put in place by New Zealand and Australia against Fiji had no impact on the government but the people had been affected.

"It’s time they lifted the...