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Lawmaker says it should be announced

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Aug. 29, 2008) - Tonga’s leading people’s representative, Akilisi Pohiva, has welcomed the lifting of the emergency regulations in the kingdom.

The state of emergency was imposed across the kingdom in November 2006 after much of the centre of the capital Nuku’alofa was destroyed when violence erupted during demonstrations in support of democratic reforms.

It had been renewed on a monthly basis but restricted to the centre of the capital.

[PIR editor’s note: Certain restrictions had been in effect in the nation’s capital, Nukualofa, since the November 2006 riots that destroyed much of the business district.]

The prime minister’s advisor, Lopeti Senituli, has confirmed that the emergency regulations have not been renewed.

However, the Tongan authorities have made no public announcement to that effect.

Mr Pohiva says he’s happy about the...

Former prime minister gets 2 months for absuse of power

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Aug. 29, 2008) - The Solomon Islands Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer will determine on Wednesday what sentence is appropriate for the Forestry Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, who has been convicted for his role in a raid.

Kemakeza was found guilty of ordering former militants to raid and seize vehicles of legal form Sol Law Limited in 2002.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution says his two-month prison sentence is inadequate because the principal offenders have been sentenced to between 25 to 30 months.

The Prosecution says an important point to take into account that Kemakeza was the Prime Minister when the offence was committed.

His lawyer argues that his client received double punishment because in addition to a jail sentence he was ordered to pay a fine.

Rural development fund abused by lawmakers

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Aug. 29, 2008) - The Solomon Islands parliament has overwhelmingly passed a private members motion to regulate the so-called Rural Constituency Development Fund.

The motion had been presented by an opposition MP Patteson Oti who says this will ensure proper accountability of the funding.

Mr Oti says at the moment MPs are not required to produce a report on how they spend the money.

[PIR editor’s note: The Rural Constituency Development Fund, which totals about US$7 million a year, comes from Taiwan. It puts about $143,000 in the hands of each of the 50 members of the Solomon Islands Parliament with little to no accounting and has been the source of much criticism, including allegations of corruption. Critics say the Solomons have little to show for the annual funding.]

He says the Fund has taken up so time of MPs who need to act as financial...

Warring villages turn frustration on facilities

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Aug. 29, 2008) – Police in Morobe have arrested and charged 35 men who were alleged to have vandalised Telilkom PNG’s telecommunication installations in the Bukawa area in the province.

The arrest of the men was viwed as a major break through for Telikom PNG and police since a nation-wide campaign was launched about vandalism of communication facilities and for police to deal with offenders.

Morobe provincial police commander Supt Peter Guinness said yesterday the men were arrested over the destruction of Mt Lusambu repeater station.

Supt Guinness said police went into the area recently and arrested those who were involved in vandalising the repeater station with its telecommunication equipment.

"The number of arrest is expected to increase in the next few weeks," he said. "And if they (police) find that the whole village is involved then everyone...