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FROM NEW ZEALAND

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (October 28, 1998 - AFP)---Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called Wednesday for a new trade deal with New Zealand that would offer preferential treatment to exports from the South-Pacific island state.

Fiji, like other Pacific countries, had preferential access under the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA) but as New Zealand deregulated and lowered all tariffs the advantage has disappeared.

Rabuka, who arrived here Tuesday on a state visit, said after meeting Prime Minister Jenny Shipley that he wanted to make SPARTECA "more beneficial."

"Whether it will be in the interests of New Zealand industries or not they (the New Zealand Government) will have to respond to us in harmony with your own industries' feelings," he said.

He also wants New Zealand to follow Australia and relax the rules of origin rules on Fiji exports, mainly clothing.

"New Zealand will...

By Samiu Fotu

NUKU‘ALOFA, Tonga (October 28, 1998, Tonga Times)---Poultry owners and egg producers in Tonga are unhappy about the prospect of foreign eggs being imported into the country by a former Deputy Director of Agriculture, ‘Ofa Fakalata.

Fakalata applied for a permit to import eggs, but there is strong resistance from local poultry workers

"It would be an unwise decision should Government allow the importation of eggs; as it will hurt our local production," said Siaosi Latu from Latu Poultry in Lomaiviti.

Latu and other poultry farm owners had a meeting last week in which they made a united decision to write Government protesting the granting of any permit for the importation of eggs.

Fakalata and others who want to import eggs argue that there are times when local producers are unable to supply the demand.

"We are producing enough eggs for the market now; and if there are times when there is a shortage, then we, the poultry (...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (October 30, 1998 - The National)---The tsunami devastated villages of Malol, Arop, Warapu and Sissano in Aitape, West Sepik Province, will hold a special requiem mass at their respective beach fronts on Monday to remember the victims of the July 17 tidal wave.

Catholics the world over will attend masses for the dead on November 2, also known as All Souls Day, according to the Roman Catholic calendar.

In Aitape, special prayers and offerings will be dedicated to the 3,000 who died during the disaster, and also to those who survived one of world's largest tidal wave disaster's in history.

Aitape diocese spokesman Tas Maketu said this week, the people have returned to their respective villages to clear up sites in preparation for the forthcoming liturgical activities.

Aitape diocese administrator, Father Austen Crapp, said: "Our people have suffered so much from this tsunami and yet they are a tough lot. They are prepared to...

SUVA, FIJI ISLANDS (October 31, 1998 - Radio Australia)---Two senior Indian officials from the foreign office in New Delhi are scheduled to arrive in Fiji on Sunday to finalize arrangements for the re-opening of the Indian High Commission.

As Radio Australia correspondent Karen Pillay reports from Suva, the Indian High Commission was forced to close after the 1987 military coups.

"The proposed visit by the two man Indian delegation follows a recent trip to Fiji by a diplomat from the Indian Consulate in Wellington. He apparently came to identify an appropriate building that could house the new chancery.

"Fiji's Deputy Foreign Secretary Sireli Koyamaibole says the official also looked at a number of residences for the Indian High Commissioner designate, Bal Anand, a career diplomat previously based in Africa.

"The two Indian foreign officials who will be arriving on Sunday are also expected to announce a date for the re-opening of the High Commission in...