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By Sanjay Ramesh

HONOLULU (Pacific Islands Report, Jan. 6) – In Fiji, tourism is booming while the sugar industry is collapsing. During sugar harvest season, lorries full of sugar cane wait for the mills to take in the cane. Internal sugar cane infrastructure is shabby, leading to sporadic derailment and transportation problems. And yes, there is the other factor. The gradual phasing out of European Union sugar subsidy under the Lome Conventions sugar protocol means that large sugar estates will be the only ones left standing when market forces kick in. The small and medium scale sugar farmers are on their way out. The situation is compounded further by the expiry of leases under the generous Agricultural Landlords and Tenants Act (ALTA) of 1976. Indigenous Fijians made it clear as early as 1995 that some sugar leases will not be renewed. Indo-Fijian politicians backed ALTA while indigenous Fijians sought changes that would result in better return on leases. In addition, the...

PAPEETE, Tahiti (Tahitipresse, Jan. 5) – Despite the absence of most of its members, The French Polynesia Assembly approved measures Tuesday that will subsidize the general public in the purchase of new cars and houses.

Officials said the measures are aimed at boosting Tahiti’s economy by providing aid to new car dealers and helping the home construction sector.

Despite abstentions by three opposition members and the absence of 37 members whose seats are to be filled in a special election next month, the Assembly approved a measure aimed at safeguarding employment in the new car dealership sector.

Economy Minister Teva Rohfritsch defended the measure, telling the Assembly that it stemmed from Tahiti’s current economic situation and was aimed at protecting 40 to 50 threatened jobs resulting from bad fourth quarter sales last year and not a bright outlook for 2005.

The opposition accused French Polynesia President Gaston Flosse’s government of using the...

ALOFI, Niue (Niue News, Jan. 6) – Memories of the horrific battering Niue received on the afternoon and evening of January 5, 2004 from super-cyclone Heta were re-kindled this week at the first anniversary of the disaster.

An Alofi North nurse was killed when the wall of her rented home collapsed on her and her 19 month-old son later died at Auckland’s Starship Hospital from injuries sustained during the disaster.

Aliluki residents, many still unwilling to discuss the horror, fled for their lives as 50-meter sea surges whipped up by hurricane-force winds swept across the western side of the island. The combination of waves and wind demolished the Lord Liverpool Hospital, government residences, the library, the cultural centre and museum, a nightclub and the Hotel Niue. Damage was estimated at N$Z30 million (US$20.9 million).

Heta caused havoc to Makefu, Tuapa, Namukulu and Hikutavake villages as the eye of the cyclone passed 35 kilometers west of Niue mid-...

ALOFI, Niue (Niue News, Jan. 6) – Niue will go to the polls for general elections in the second week of April.

Premier Young Vivian told the Niue News that the government would complete its full term before the general election is held.

Under terms of the country’s constitution, the Speaker dissolves the Legislative Assembly at the request of the Premier.

A new election must be held not less than four weeks and no more than six weeks after the dissolution of the Assembly.

About 800 citizens are expected to vote in the general election, in which 14 members of the Legislative Assembly will be elected from village constituencies and six from the common roll.

Most village representatives are expected to run for reelection unopposed. A vacancy, following the removal of former Premier Sani Lakatani due to non-attendance at meetings, is likely to be filled by former Niue High Commissioner in Wellington, Hima Takelesi, who is back on Niue.

It could...