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Inmates, former inmates and officers gave testimony

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 3, 2013) – Samoa’s Commission of Inquiry into allegations of mismanagement and abuse of power at Tafaigata prison has completed hearing evidence.

The Commission heard from 122 witnesses, including 40 prisoners, seven former inmates and 56 prison and police officers.

The suspended police commissioner, Lilomiava Fou Taioalo, was the last to testify.

The proceedings have been closed to the public and the media in the last three weeks.

The Commission is now reviewing the evidence and drafting its report to Cabinet which should be handed in before the expiration of four months of its appointment on January the 6th.

The suspension of the police commissioner and one of his assistant commissioners heading the Tafaigata prison should end on December the 22nd.

Veterans organization: move may be political manipulation

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 3, 2013) – French Polynesia’s nuclear test veterans organisation says it finds it difficult to see any substantive advance in France extending the nuclear fallout zone eligible to file compensation claims.

The National Assembly in Paris changed the area from which claims can be lodged to cover all of French Polynesia - in a move coinciding with last week’s ministerial visit to Tahiti.

Moruroa e tatou says although Paris knew about the consequences of its nuclear weapons tests all along, it chose to withhold vital information.

Its head, Roland Oldham, says the latest announcement may just be political manipulation as hundreds of people have cases pending.

"When you see the number of people compensated, something like 12. This comes to like one...

Tuvalu relies on Fiji as gateway to the rest of the world: official

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 3, 2013) – The Tuvalu Government says the high cost of airfares between Fiji and Tuvalu is a major concern for locals.

The assistant secretary at the ministry of communication and transport says Tuvalu relies on the Fiji Airways’ service as Fiji is the island’s gateway to the rest of the world.

Taukave Poolo says the ministry is in the process of reviewing the airfares.

"We feel that the airfares that are currently being charged by Fiji Airways are extremely high for us and we also believe it can still go down but it’s just a matter of them being willing to go down."

Taukave Poolo says cheaper fares would also attract more visitors to the country.

Fiji Airways says the average ticket price has to be high to cover operating costs based on the distance between Fiji and Tuvalu and the aircraft required.

It...

Official, however, says currently no way to prosecute accusers

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 3, 2013) – The Papua New Guinea government has pledged its commitment to stamping out sorcery-related violence at the opening of a conference on the issue in Eastern Highlands province.

The three-day work shop, hosted by the University of Goroka in the provincial capital, is tasked with developing a national response to an increasing number of brutal crimes associated with witchcraft and sorcery.

Annell Husband reports from Goroka.

"Ferocious drumming opened the conference which has drawn fewer than expected participants. The prime minister, Peter O’Neill, was to have delivered the today’s key note but in his place, the Chairperson of the Family and Sexual violence action committee, Dr Lawrence Kalinoe, underlined the seriousness with which the government views the brutality associated with sorcery along with its commitment to...