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Critics point to more pressing needs at home

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, Nov. 30, 2010) - The Niue government intends using money from its trust fund to buy a multi-million dollar property in Thorndon in central Wellington to provide accommodation for the high commissioner and office space for the island’s diplomats.

The government is selling a modest property in Wellington to cover some of the estimated cost of more than US$2 million, but it will be relying on interest from the island’s trust fund, which has been built up with donor support since 2004.

Niue MP Terry Coe says people are asking why the trust fund money is not being spent solving some of the critical infrastructure problems on the island.

[PIR editor’s note: In a separate report Terry Coe says "…you see the state of our roads and the education system and the wages for the public servants etc and the...

Country seeks expanded diplomatic relations

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Sun, Nov. 30, 2010) – In Fiji, the strengthening of diplomatic relations and the promise of trade alliances is hoped with the opening of three new embassies in Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia next year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said the inclusion of the establishment of the new embassies in the 2011 National Budget was a leap in terms of expanding foreign relations in these countries.

[PIR editor’s note: Ratu Inoke Kubuabola previously served as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea from 2000-2005 and Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan and Korea from 2006-2009.]

Government has allocated FJ$1,097,243 [US$588,000] for the establishment of an Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, FJ$793, 644 [US$425,000] for the Fiji Embassy in Brazil and the South African Embassy for FJ$772, 832 [US$414,000].

It was announced that the establishment of the embassies were in line with...

New broadcasting service by January

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, Nov. 30, 2010) - New Caledonian television viewers have been given access to eight digital channels - less than a year before analogue broadcasts will be stopped.

France’s Audiovisual Council announced the switch as it extended digital TV to its overseas territories, saying it will ensure equal treatment with mainland France.

All but one of the stations is French.

The roll-out of digital broadcasting is expected to cover 95 percent of New Caledonia by January.

In September, the analogue signal will be discontinued.

[PIR editor’s note: New Caledonia has a unique autonomous status within the Republic of France established by the laws implementing the Noumea Accord of 1998. However, the Nouméa Accord provides a mechanism for the determination of the ultimate status and degree of New Caledonian territorial autonomy. The Territorial Congress will have the right to call for a...

PNG villagers seek better return for resources

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Nov. 30, 2010) – Lagaip-Porgera Member of Parliament (MP) Philip Kikala has the backing of Porgera landowners, demanding an immediate review of a mining development contract between the state and developer Barrick Papua New Guinea (PNG) Ltd.

[PIR editor’s note: Lagaip-Porgera is a district situated in the western highlands of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea.]

Kikala, who is also vice-minister for National Planning, was in parliament yesterday with Porgera landowner leaders including chief Pakiku Pundi, Sole Paro, Johnson Kutako, Penjari Lavaipa and two former Lagaip-Porgera Members of Parliament Opis Papo and Anton Pakena.

They all agreed that Kikala would push for a review of the contract....