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SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Sept. 2) – Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says the country is in serious trouble and has offered his services to the Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to help rectify this problem.

"Our country is in serious trouble and it has been forecasted that the economic performance for 2007 will fall by 3.1 percent of gross domestic product," he said following the end of his nine-month exile yesterday.

The deposed leader is currently attending a Fathers Day service at the Centenary Church in Suva accompanied by members of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL).

Qarase said that the interim government should realize the growing trend of poverty, crime rate has increased and foreign investment has declined.

He said that the onus is on the interim government to work together and move the country forward.

"Its time to move on and work together for the betterment of the country," Qarase said.

He also proposes that...

SAMOA: ‘WE’LL GET BY’ WITH PACIFIC GAMES DEBT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Sept. 2) – Samoa’s deputy prime minister, Misa Telefoni, has admitted that the country is in debt because of the new infrastructures built for the South Pacific Games.

The overall cost of the 13th SPG is reportedly around US$92 million with millions spent on roads and bridges.

However, Misa Telefoni is not too concerned about the mounting debt

"We wanted these facilities to be useful for the games, but we also wanted something of permanent value," he said. "That is why we built one gym at the National University and we’ve got one complex there for Samoa College. We improved the hostels, built ablution blocks. So hopefully this is all good infrastructure. About 100 million worth of roading and bridges were done; but I mean this was stuff that was needed to be done anyway. So we are a bit in debt, a bit inflationary as economists would say, but we’ll...

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Aug. 30) – Radio Tonga's Senior News Editor, Siaosi Lavaka, who was dismissed last week by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission, wants to know why he was dismissed and to have a right of reply.

"I would like someone to tell me why I was dismissed because as far as I know, I do not know," said George yesterday, who received his marching orders from the general manager after running a news story about the Dr. Sam Wong-'Etuate Lavulavu controversy over the directorship of the 'Unuaki-'o-Tonga institute.

Siaosi said on August 29 that he was seeking legal advice because neither the general manager, 'Elenoa 'Amanaki, nor a TBC sub committee that dismissed him has given him a right of reply to their letter of dismissal.

He received his letter of dismissal at 4.30 pm on August 23 and said that the general manager did not answer her mobile when he rang her constantly on the same evening.

Siaosi is seeking his right of reply and he...

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Sept. 3) – There are reports that around 40 endangered turtles were slaughtered during the annual Methodist Church Conference in Macuata, Vanua Levu.

This is despite the Fisheries Department giving approval for only three turtles to be caught and spread for "traditional purposes" and with promise that the catching of turtles will be policed.

However, Senior Fisheries Officer Aisake Batibasaga said the officers stationed in Macuata who have been monitoring the number of turtles caught by members of the Methodist church have reported that a lot more turtles have been caught.

He said the reason why the Fisheries Department did not allow more then three turtles to be harvested are because they are "highly endangered creatures."

Batibasaga also said that there are severe penalties for the illegal catching of turtles.

Offenders can be sent up to five years imprisonment or fined up to $20,000 for illegal turtle fishing. Those caught...