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European companies could benefit from Pacific tuna processing

By Jane Joshua

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, June 20, 2012) – While European Union (EU) investors are yet to express an interest in resource development partnerships in the Pacific’s Fisheries Sector, the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) say there is "a natural fit" between the region which has control over significant raw material and abundant labor and EU processors who could invest in regional processing of tuna loins.

FFA’s Manager of the Regional Integration in Pacific Islands Tuna Fisheries Unit, Peter Philipson, revealed this in his presentation on Sectoral Opportunities for Private Sector Developing in the 1st Pacific-EU Business dialogue in Port Vila, Tuesday.

"Inwards investment into the regional fisheries sector exceeded US$200 million in the last 12 months," he said.

Mr. Philipson said FFA is conducting a series of "Calls for Expressions of Interest (...

Acting chief claims previous leader took leave of his own accord

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, June 15, 2012) – The Vanuatu Police Force is facing a crisis with two men claiming to be commissioner.

This follows a Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday after Commissioner Joshua Bong sought a judicial review.

Mr. Bong has claimed he had been on enforced leave for the past month, but the Police Service Commission’s chair, Tony Ata, says Mr. Bong took leave of his own accord.

Arthur Caulton has been acting commissioner for the past month and has been quoted in local media as saying he remains in that role.

Mr. Bong says Mr. Caulton has defied his directive that he stand aside.

"He is defying my orders and continues to hold himself out as acting Commissioner of Police. I have filed a police complaint at the Vila Police Station against Mr. Tony Ata, the chair of the Police Service Commission, and Mr. Arthur Caulton for...

Solomons Police Commissioner’s Comments About Force Criticized John Lansley allegedly called RSIPF personnel ‘blank canvas’

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, June 28, 2012) – If the impression given by the comments of our new police commissioner as reported in last Friday’s Solomon Star, Police Face Security Hiccup ahead of Festival, is accurate, it would seem we have made a very grave mistake with the appointment of John Lansley to the country’s top policing job.

In a statement issued today, former national politician Joses Tuhanuku said it appeared that Mr. Lansley may have neither the experience nor the leadership skills required to effectively lead the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

"As someone who has worked closely with the RSIPF in recent years, it is most disheartening to hear the new commissioner describe the men and women of the RSIPF and their plans for dealing with the upcoming Pacific Arts Festival as a ‘blank canvas’," Mr....

Long exiled to Rabi in Fiji, dispute authority of Rabi Council of Leaders

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (The Kiribati Independent, May 31, 2012) – Banabans living in Rabi, Fiji islands have written a letter to President Anote Tong asking him to abandon any proposed plans for Banaba.

The landowners said the Rabi Council of Leaders, who are in Kiribati holding talks with government ministries regarding their rehabilitation programmes, have not consulted with the landowners. Banaba, known as Ocean Island, is home to just one hundred people.

It was once mined for many decades by the British, Kiribati and the Banabans received royalties. Kiribati Independent has obtained copies of two letters; one was dated on the 6th of May 2012 and the other one was dated 2006. In the latest letter the landowners reaffirmed their position on Banaba as their home country because they are the rightful owners.

"The Rabi Council of Leaders has no right over our lands in Banaba," they...