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HONIARA, Solomon Islands (January 5, 20001 - Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation/PINA Nius Online)---The non-return of more than 400 guns used by militants in the Guadalcanal ethnic crisis is influenced by the Marau Peace Agreement, yet to be negotiated and signed.

It is believed that most of the weapons are still with the Marau militants.

They did not join the Townsville Peace Agreement reached between the national and provincial governments and the Malaita Eagle Force and Isatabu Freedom Movement.

A highly placed source within government said because of the sensitive nature of the situation the weapons amnesty which was to have ended on December 15 still stands.

According to the amnesty bill passed by Parliament in the last sitting, he said an extension to the initial agreed date can only be made by the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs.

The source said moves are under way to have the minister, the Cabinet and the Security Council...

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (January 5, 2001 - Radio Australia)---The Cook Islands government has reservations about a fishing project proposed by two Australian businessmen.

The Cabinet has confirmed that a South Australian Company, Rock Lobster, wants to invest up to 60 million dollars, including the purchase of 25 long-line fishing boats and the building of a fish processing facility.

Marine Resources Minister Robert Woonton said the project could make marine resources even bigger than the tourism industry, now the country’s leading revenue earner.

He told Cook Islands News that there is support within the Cabinet for the project as well as reservations, but "due process" has been followed and the background of the Rock Lobster Company checked out.

He said the government has not been asked to contribute any funding to the proposed project.

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

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (January 7, 2001 - Vanuatu Trading Post/PINA Nius Online)---Vanuatu's domestic airline, Vanair, will be merged into the international carrier, Air Vanuatu, creating one airline, Prime Minister Barak Sope said.

He told Vanuatu Trading Post publisher Marc Neil-Jones in an interview: "We are thinking of a March 31st date for a merger of the two airlines after we have examined the assets and debts of the two companies.

"Air Vanuatu management will run Vanair."

He said Air Vanuatu's management will also negotiate a "new deal" with the Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombadier over its provision of a Dash 8 aircraft to Vanair.

"Bombadier is still demanding money from us and that is the most urgent problem," he said.

"We need to find about 190 million vatu (US$ 1,347,709) to pay them.

"I have asked the Ombudsman to investigate the contract signed by the coordinator of the Vanuaaku Pati, Willy Reuben Abel, because if you look at...

PEOPLE’S COALITION GOVERNMENT, FIJI

Suva, Fiji Islands

NEWS RELEASE January 6, 2001

IN FIJI’S GREAT COUNCIL OF CHIEFS, SAYS HIGH CHIEF

The Great Council of Chiefs is without high chiefs, says Navosa High Chief and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian Affairs, Adi Kuini Speed.

In an interview with yesterday’s Fiji Sun, Adi Kuini stated: "… let me point out quite clearly that as the Minister for Fijian Affairs and legally being the member of Parliament, the Fijian people [need] to know and other members of the community need to know that this administration is depending on the GCC that only has a few chiefs."

She stated: "The bulk [of the current membership of the GCC] is political agents of the party that lost control of government in the last elections… If you look at the membership, anyone will realize this. You know us; the landowners are asking ourselves where the real chiefs are? There’s hardly any – Adi Lala is one paramount...