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

Independent and American Samoas hold annual dialogue

By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Dec. 28, 2015) – The Two Samoa’s dedicated a lot of time to discussing the fishing and shipping industries, according to a statement issued after the close of the 2Samoa Talks earlier this month.

The two-day meeting outlined the American Samoa Fisheries presentation on the support needed from Samoa to facilitate commercial fishing access for its purse seiners and fishing boats. The document, which resulted from the meeting, notes that it was acknowledged that the tuna canneries in American Samoa provide employment to Samoan nationals hence the need for cooperation in these areas. Further the Director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife (DMWR) elaborated on the need to develop local fisheries...

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

PM said Fiji is not facing any ‘critical issues’

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 29, 2015) – The Fiji opposition whip, Ratu Isoa Tikoca, says it's unbelievable that the Prime Minister thinks Fiji is not faced with any critical issues.

Ratu Isoa was responding to Frank Bainimarama's comments to the Fiji Times last week when he roundly rejected suggestions by the leader of the opposition National Federation Party to review the constitution or repeal decrees.

Referring to issues of the constitution, the prime minister said Professor Biman Prasad could jump in the deepest pool with the opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa.

Ratu Isoa says the Prime Minister must be the only national leader in the world to publicly...

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

Vanuatu’s Jailed PM Asks MPs To Repay ‘Loans’ Carcasses expects convicted MPs to pay him back

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 28, 2015) – Vanuatu's jailed former prime minister Moana Carcasses has initiated proceedings to recover the money he had given to the other MPs jailed with him for bribery.

Carcasses had given about $US9000 to each of a total of 18 politicians as part of successful moves to oust the government.

The Supreme Court ruled two months ago that this was bribery and jailed 14 of them, but Carcasses insists it was a loan and he now wants the money back.

This has been confirmed by Carcasses' lawyer John Malcolm, who has written to the MPs concerned.

Three weeks ago, all MPs were given $US36,000 as gratuity payments to mark the end of the parliamentary term, but the 15...

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

Sogavare says payment only means to ‘lasting peace’

By Elliot Dawea And Eddie Osifelo

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Dec. 27, 2015) – The Government has agreed to pay ex-militants from Malaita and Guadalcanal $300 million [US$37 million], well-placed sources from the Prime Minister’s Office say.

Up to 2,000 ex-combatants are likely to benefit, with each receiving $150,000 [US$ 18,600] each.

[PIR editor’s note: On Dec. 29, 2015 Solomon Star reported that ‘The only way the country can achieve lasting peace is for the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government to settle the outstanding payments with the ex-combatants and their rehabilitation package. ... Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told this paper in an...