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O’NEILL SHOWS NO REGRET OVER DEPORTATION

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

O’NEILL SHOWS NO REGRET OVER DEPORTATION Claims Osborne illegally funding ‘political operations’

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 30, 2011) – The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, says he has no regrets about the deportation of New Zealand businessman, Graham Osborne.

Mr Osborne, who operates the Ela Beach Hotel restaurant in Port Moresby, is a close friend of Mr O’Neill’s rival for the prime ministership, Sir Michael Somare.

The Post Courier reports Mr O’Neill saying Mr Osborne had been deported because he tried to access hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for PNG’s bid to get a team into the Australian National Rugby League competition.

Mr O’Neill claims this money was being obtained under the guise of renovating the national stadium but was in fact to fund political operations.

But Mr Osborne, who...

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Mon
02
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SAMOA CELEBRATES TIME ZONE SHIFT

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

PM touts benefits of ‘momentous occasion’

By Jasmine Netzler-Iose

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Dec. 30, 2011) – Government ushered in Samoa’s new time zone with prayer, song and fireworks at its Mt Vaea Prayer house just before midnight, last night.

The "momentous and well noted occasion" was attended by Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and many guests.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa said the change means Friday – which is supposed to be today – has disappeared from this year’s calendar. Samoa is now aligned with New Zealand and Australia in terms of having the same days. It means Samoa now has five days to do business with these countries, the Prime Minister said.

[PIR editor’s note: Several sources have noted that the New Zealand self-administering territory of Tokelau followed Samoa’s lead by switching its time zone as well.]

"Tonight...

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VANUATU PM REITERATES STAND AGAINST CORRUPTION

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

Kilman’s Christmas message highlights progress

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, Dec. 29, 2011) – In his Christmas Message televised over the national television on Christmas Eve, Prime Minister Sato Kilman reiterated his government’s stand to reduce corruption and corrupt practices in the country while at the same time reminded the population of Vanuatu that the beginning of 2011 has not been an easy one because of the political instability that persisted at the time.

"The people of this country are the priority. We must strive to serve the people and provide them the services that are needed. But the first eight months of this year ( 2011) has not been easy as the country was faced with much political instability which has cost the country much time and money," Prime Minister Sato Kilman said.

He recalled and reminded the population of Vanuatu that the country has achieved much in the last few months including; the rise in copra price that reached Vt80,...

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FIJI SECURITY CONTRACTOR WARNS ABOUT DANGERS OF IRAQ

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

Says company abandoned him during detention

By Felix Chaudhary

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, Jan. 1, 2012) – Former soldier and current employee of United States security contractor Triple Canopy Incorporated (TCI), Mark Fisher, who was detained by the Iraqi military for 18 days is warning locals of the dangers associated with employment in the trouble-stricken country.

Mr Fisher said anyone seeking work as a security contractor needed to understand the real dangers of the job and the fact that he and his team were practically abandoned by TCI during their detainment.

"I am never going back there and I urge anyone considering a job as a security contractor to think twice because no amount of money is worth what me and my men went through.

"TCI did not contact my wife to inform her of what had happened.

"It was only after she threatened to go to the media that they formulated a response that basically said TCI officials were in constant contact...

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PALAU HOSPITAL RUNNING OUT OF ESSENTIAL DRUGS

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

Minister of Health blames delay in budget approval

By Aurea Gerundio-Dizon

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, Dec. 30, 2011) – Health Min. Stevenson Kuartei yesterday disclosed that the national hospital will be running out of essential drugs because of the delay in approving the budget for Fiscal Year 2012.

Kuartei told the media that because of the limited budget, the ministry was unable to procure all the essential drugs, medical supplies and lab reagents that were supposedly procured in the first quarter of the fiscal year.

Because the continuing budget authority only lasts until December 31, Kuartei said the ministry was able to procure only 50 percent of the minimal essential drugs, medical supplies and lab reagents in the first quarter.

Kuartei said the ministry already submitted all the required paper works to the Ministry of Finance, but the latter is unable to proceed because there is no budget yet. "Because of that, we will begin to run out of...

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Mon
02
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COURT DISMISSES FISHING VESSEL LAWSUIT AGAINST AM. SAMOA

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

Sanford sued over detention of San Nikaunau

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, America Samoa (Samoa News, Jan. 1, 2012) – The High Court has dismissed, without prejudice, the New Zealand based Sanford Limited lawsuit against the American Samoa Government (ASG), after both sides submitted mitigating factors. Specific details of the mitigating factors filings were not immediately clear.

Sanford had sued ASG for revoking the customs clearance that would have allowed the company’s fishing vessel, San Nikaunau, to depart the territory last month. The company argued that the Customs Division had no authority to keep the vessel here since it does not owe any outstanding debts to ASG, who disagrees saying it has full authority because of provisions which deal with federal customs law.

Earlier this month, a federal grand jury in Washington D.C. handed down a seven count federal indictment against Sanford for the alleged violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from...

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FOUR ‘TOP PERFORMERS’ RECOGNIZED IN MARSHALL ISLANDS

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

FOUR ‘TOP PERFORMERS’ RECOGNIZED IN MARSHALL ISLANDS Newspaper honors those who ‘benefit the public’

By Giff Johnson

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Dec. 30, 2011) – Four top performers — three in government-related agencies and one in the non-government sector — were recognized this week by the Marshall Islands Journal newspaper for their stellar performance in 2011.

"Their roles are different, but all bring a high-degree of accountability and action to their work, which benefits the public," said the newspaper. "A thread that links the performance of these individuals is that each of the agencies they supervise are overseen by boards of directors that are majority dominated by non-government, private sector and community representatives."

The standout performers recognized are:

The Marshall Islands Journal is a weekly newspaper that has been published in Majuro since 1970.

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NEW PALAU PETROLEUM ACT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

Toribiong: Palau can now realize revenues from natural resources

By Aurea Gerundio-Dizon

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, Dec. 30, 2011) – President Toribiong yesterday signed into law the Petroleum Act for the Republic of Palau.

The new law, designated as RPPL No. 8-37, will govern the prospecting, exploration, exploitation, development and production of oil and gas resources, including mineral resources that are found on land, offshore within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone or on the continental shelf subject to the sovereign jurisdiction and exclusive ownership of Palau.

The Petroleum Act clarifies the rights and obligations of the national government and state governments, as stated in the Constitution as well.

The Petroleum Act was aimed at establishing a comprehensive, national petroleum law, incorporating international guidelines, standards and practices in the petroleum field that will promote the prudent development and effective...

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Jan
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FIJI POLICE TAKE ELDERLY BUSINESSWOMAN INTO CUSTODY

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

Dr. Mere Samisoni was MP in Qarase’s government

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 30, 2011) – It has been confirmed that elderly Fiji businesswoman and former politician, Dr Mere Samisoni, was taken into police custody last night.

The government’s spokesperson, Sharon Smith Johns says the 74 year old was taken into custody by police and is still being questioned.

Ms Smith Johns would not elaborate on the reasons for the detention and police would not comment beyond saying it’s part of an ongoing investigation.

Dr Samisoni, who runs the Hot Bread Kitchen chain, was an MP in the government of Laisenia Qarase which was deposed in a military coup more than five years ago.

She has close ties to the family of Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara who fled to Tonga earlier this year, and has become an outspoken critic of the regime he was once part of.

Dr Samisoni’s daughter, Vanessa, speaking from Britain, says the detention...

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02
Jan
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BAINIMARAMA ANNOUNCES LIFTING OF PUBLIC EMERGENCY REGS

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 00:00

Fiji PM makes plans for ‘nationwide consultation’

By Rachna Lal

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Sun, Jan. 2, 2012)—The Public Emergency Regulations (PER) will be lifted from this Saturday, the Prime Minister announced last night.

In a major, positive and forward-looking New Year address broadcast on TV and radio, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama confirmed:

Commodore Bainimarama stressed the progress in eliminating past mismanagement, corruption and institutionalised discrimination. He emphasised the continuing work modernising the nation and building a better Fiji for all Fijians.

(A full transcript of the Prime Minister’s address – in English, Fijian, and Hindi - is published today on Pages 2 and 3.)

The Public Emergency Regulations have been in place since April 2009, when the former constitution was abrogated. They allowed restrictions on some public gatherings and speech, censorship of news media reports and gave security forces added powers.

...

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