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HONIARA, Solomon Islands (January 7, 2000)---Solomon Islands police say they fear an arson attack on a cabinet minister's house and a shootout at an Australian-owned gold mine may mark the return of rebel activity on the island of Guadalcanal.

However, police Assistant Commissioner Wilfred Akao said it might also reflect a split within the rebel Isatambu Freedom Fighters.

The group, made up of indigenous Guadalcanal islanders, has spent more than a year trying to drive out migrants from neighboring Malaita province.

Gold Ridge, a mine owned by Ross Mining of Australia, has continued operation under Solomons Police Field Force protection.

Mr. Akao said the force came under fire on Wednesday and returned the fire, but says no one was injured in the exchange.

He said the home owned by Forests Minister Hilda Kari had also been torched and that police had been deployed in the area.

For additional reports from Radio Australia, go to PACIFIC...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (January 6, 2000 – Post-Courier)---U.S. Congressman Donald Payne is on a three-day visit to meet with the Prime Minister, Sir Mekere Morauta, Bougainville Affairs Minister Sir Michael Somare and senior parliamentary representatives from Bougainville.

His main purpose of visiting is to discuss issues affecting the government's planned economic reforms, land tenure and also to gather first hand information on the status of the peace process on Bougainville.

Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and a member of the Democratic Party and U.S. House International Relations Committee, Mr. Payne continues to speak out on issues affecting developing nations.

Mr. Payne said, "I had a very strong interest to learn more about problems affecting developing nations in the Pacific and abroad and the potentials of what they would bring into the new millennium.

"I am very pleased and privileged to be here in Papua New Guinea for...

SUVA, Fiji Islands (January 6, 2000 – Radio Australia)---The Fiji Times has lodged a writ with the country's High Court against the government's refusal to extend a work permit for the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Russell Hunter.

The writ was filed after the Fiji government gave Russell Hunter one month to leave the country, to make way for a potential local who is qualified to do the job.

The government last week rejected an appeal by the Fiji Times to grant Hunter a three-year extension, instead giving him one month to conclude outstanding business and personal matters and leave the country.

Mr. Hunter's original work permit expired on the last day of 1999.

The case is expected to be heard in the High Court late this month or early next month.

For additional reports from Radio Australia, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Radio/TV News/Radio Australia.

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (January 5, 2000 – Post-Courier)---The Censorship Board is coming down hard on violent movies that portray images of gun toting "cops and robbers.''

Chief Censor Martin Tabel said yesterday recent incidents of armed robberies and violence including the failed helicopter robbery in Port Moresby has raised serious public concern about the type of movies that should be brought into the country.

Mr. Tabel also warned video libraries and publication houses which distribute, sell, hire or rent videos tapes, laser disks, digital video disks (DVD) and video cassette disks (VCD) that all movies not classified by his office will be confiscated from the shelves.

He said heaps of highly offensive material, especially DVDs and VCDs, were being brought into the country illegally and in large quantities because they were easy to conceal.

"We are not overly concerned with sex movies except for the much stronger ones. We are more concerned...