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FOR FULL DEMOCRACY

By Michael Field

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i (January 30, 2001 - Agence France-Presse)---Fiji's military installed interim leader Tuesday publicly questioned whether his politically unstable nation will ever want to accept "liberal western democracy," saying that to do so would destroy their culture and traditions.

Interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was speaking at the opening session of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders meeting here, which is debating the impact of globalization on island cultures.

He appealed to the international community to end its interference in Fiji saying, "solutions for our problems in Fiji lie in Fiji and. Interference from outside will not solve the problem."

Fiji's deposed President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara is chairing the sessions.

Qarase appears to have been socially isolated by leaders at functions here although Mara, who is notably ill, has been well received.

Fiji's last...

KIRIBATI’S TITO, FIJI’S QARASE WORK ON IMPROVING LINKS

TARAWA, Kiribati (Feb. 1, 2001 - Radio Kiribati/PINA Nius Online)---President Teburoro Tito has received support from Fiji Interim Prime Minister Qarase Laisenia for plans to strengthen links between the two countries.

These include:

Speaking at a news conference, President Tito said that the Fiji government has agreed to offer whatever assistance is needed to help the Kiribati government establish its mission.

Tito also announced his plans to visit the Banaban people on Rabi next month. He said the visit will coincide with a planned trip to Japan, in his capacity as chairperson of the Pacific Islands Forum.

The president also told reporters that he will discuss with the people on Rabi island his plans to establish trade links between Rabi and Kiribati if Fiji’s government approves the proposed Rabi-Tarawa shipping link.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has granted another US$ 3.5...

FIJI’S TARAKINIKINI LOSES UN JOB

SUVA, Fiji Islands (February 1, 2001 – Fiji’s Daily Post)---Former military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini has lost out on his prospective job with the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in New York.

The military yesterday confirmed that Lt. Col. Tarakinikini would not go to New York but instead would continue working with the Fiji Military Forces.

"The Home Affairs Ministry has confirmed that the UN has expressed their intention to withdraw Lt. Col. Tarakinikini's appointment," spokesperson Lt. Ilaisa Tagitupou said.

Reasons for the UN's decision have not been disclosed to the military.

"The reasons are private and between Lt. Col. Tarakinikini and the UN."

However, it was earlier reported that Lt. Col. Tarakinikini's application was not considered because of the pending allegations against him. He is alleged to have been involved in the May 19 coup and the November 2 attempted...

PAPE‘ETE, French Polynesia (January 31, 2001 - Oceania Flash/SPC)---Madeira's government President Dr. Alberto João Jardim has concluded a Pacific tour with a visit to the French Pacific territory of French Polynesia, the daily newspaper La Dépêche de Tahiti reports.

He was received with honors by local President Gaston Flosse.

The two heads of governments told local media that both French Polynesia and Madeira (an Atlantic island territory affiliated with Portugal) had much to share in terms of political status, an economy strongly oriented toward tourism and a number of special agricultural products.

Both leaders also enjoy a reputation for being outspoken and relentless advocates of their territories' respective interests to both their metropolitan powers and the European Union.

Both Madeira and French Polynesian's institutions also have much in common, with a local parliament and a local government.

Although its two mostly spoken languages...