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Richard Herr: normalizing likely happening under the radar

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 5, 2013) – An academic who works between Australia and Fiji says the restoration of ties between the two countries is progressing quietly, despite both countries saying normalisation won’t take place until after the election promised for next year.

The Foreign Ministers of both countries met in Sydney last month, following the Australian minister Julie Bishop’s pre-election signals the Coalition government would ease up on Suva.

But Canberra has not formally lifted sanctions on Fiji and has also stated it is waiting for free and fair elections before ties are normalised.

A Pacific governance and diplomacy expert, Dr. Richard Herr, says this does not represent back-tracking by Canberra and he says Suva is cautiously optimistic about the relationship.

"It’s one of those things which I think we’ll find has been going along fairly...

Organization trying to combat sorcery suspicions, bad hygiene

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 5, 2013) – Oxfam New Zealand says if it can help increase the level of understanding about basic health in Papua New Guinea, it may help prevent the deaths and torture of people who have been accused of sorcery.

Its Communications Manager, Jason Garman, who visited Goroka, says if anyone dies, it’s common for people to get accused of sorcery and blamed for the death, and they are often attacked, tortured and killed.

Mr. Garman says Oxfam is trying to get people accused of sorcery to safety, help get them medical attention, and try to move them to a safe place.

He says the work around hygiene education and teaching about how people get sick will also help with a long term solution.

"If we can actually help increase the level of understanding of basic health, and more people understand that when someone dies it’s not because a...

Government House maintains Aoraunisaka exceeds age limit

By Eddie Osifelo

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Nov. 5, 2013) – Solomon Islands Government House still maintains its stand not to swear in new police commissioner, Peter Aoraunisaka after he does not meet the age limit of 55 under the constitution.

This was despite advice from Attorney General Chamber that age limit is not an issue to prevent Mr. Aoraunisaka from taking his oath at Government House.

Mr. Aoraunisaka was Prime Minister Office’s choice to take up the post formerly held by British man, John Langsley after he was selected by the Prison and Service commission ahead of Frank Short and Edmund Sikua.

He was supposed to be sworn in a month ago but Governor General Sir Frank Kabui refused to do so because he does not meet the constitutional requirement of age limit.

A spokesperson for Government House said their stand not to swear in Mr. Aoraunisaka still stands....

Businessman says situation in capital ‘unfair’ to businesses

By Jasmine Netzler

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Nov. 4, 2013) – Parking has got so bad in Samoa’s capital that some businesses have taken to – illegally – claiming public spaces as reserved for their own customers.

Government should provide more parking spaces instead of just putting up more and more office buildings, according to people concerned at growing parking problems in town.

Several business people in Apia say this is the solution to the growing problem of finding parking space on the streets of Apia.

"Government should seriously do something about it," said a businessman, who said he doesn't want to be named because he might upset the Government.

"It should set up a parking area somewhere because there are so many cars in Samoa these days and people don’t know where to park their cars."

His comments follow issues faced by many motorists finding it hard to find a...