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	NEWSROOM 16 April 2008




	(Photos: AFP / Defence Govt.au)

	NEW ZEALAND: Fiji High on the Agenda at Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Auckland Source: World Press The foreign affairs ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum met in Auckland on March 26, 2008, and formed a contact group consisting of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu to review progress on restoring democracy in Fiji. According to The Press, Fiji's military-appointed foreign minister, Epeli Nailatikau, was allowed to enter New Zealand to brief the meeting. He was not allowed to take part in the deliberations, which ended with the setting up of a ministerial contact group to monitor progress. He gave no date but said a detailed timetable for "election preparations" would be considered by the cabinet in the second week of April. (March 27) In October 2007, military commander Frank Bainimarama promised the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga that elections would be held in Fiji by March 2009. However, Bainimarama has since changed his position and argued that the implementation of the Peoples' Charter for Change and the reform of Fiji's ethnically-reserved seats were a matter of national priority, ahead of his promise for general elections. At the Forum meeting, Fiji's interim minister for finance, Mahendra Chaudhry, reiterated the commander's views and urged Australia and New Zealand to understand Fiji's problems. According to the New Zealand Press Association, "Chaudhry said that [elections] should be held only after the People's Charter was formulated and endorsed by the public" (March 27). According to the Hobart Mercury, Fiji's interim foreign minister, Nailatikau, told the Forum that "Fiji's military government would soon consider a detailed timetable to return the nation to democratic rule." The report also quoted New Zealand's minister for foreign affairs, Winston Peters, who warned Fiji to stick to the timetable as agreed and called for "more international political pressure to get Fiji back on the road to democracy" (March 27). The Australian minister for foreign affairs, Stephen Smith, has upstaged his New Zealand counterpart in driving the push for a quick return to elected government in Fiji. According to the Australian Associated Press, "Mr. Smith said there had been a 'qualitative change' in Australia's foreign policy since the election of the Rudd government, including improved relations with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands". Photo Caption: Fiji's coup leader Frank Bainimarama (left) is greeted by Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Sevele at the October 2007 Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa.





	(Photos: Samoa Rugby Union)

	SAMOA: SamoaTel sponsor 2008 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup Source: Samoa Rugby Union Press Release At a press conference held on the 10 April 2008 at SamoaTel, Maluafou, Samoa Rugby Union’s CEO Su’a Peter Schuster and SamoaTel Managing Director, Mike Johnstone signed a $25,000 Major Sponsor agreement for the upcoming 2008 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup. The agreement gives SamoaTel naming rights of Samoa’s two PRC teams, Upolu and Savaii. SamoaTel Upolu and SamoaTel Savai’i are to compete in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup which commences on the 18 April 2008, against neighbouring Pacific teams from Fiji and Tonga. SamoaTel is a strong supporter of Samoa rugby and believes that nurturing and developing rugby is not just the responsibility of the SRU, but everyone that wants our national teams to succeed. CEO Su’a Peter Schuster is mindful of SamoaTel’s ongoing support stating that “support accorded by SamoaTel in the development and promotion of Samoa rugby has been beneficial and positive. No doubt this will contribute to the success of Samoa’s two competing IRB Pacific Rugby Cup teams.” SamoaTel thanked the general Samoan community for their support and patronage of SamoaTel products and services that has enabled SamoaTel to continue its assistance to the Samoa Rugby Union. The Samoa Rugby Union acknowledges and appreciates SamoaTel’s ongoing relationship. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact Agnes Kerslake; phone (685) 757-7000, or email agnes.k@srfu.ws. Photo Caption: Samoa Rugby Union CEO, Su'a Schuster; SamoaTel CEO, Mr. Mike Johnston & Talai Junior Lene at the press conference; SamoaTel handing over the $25,000 cheque to the Samoa Rugby Union.



	(Photos: Courier Mail / TVNZ)

	AUSTRALIA: Sonny Bill Williams damage control Source: Courier Mail New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary is a realist - you don't stop Sonny Bill Williams, you simply limit the destruction. The Warriors will be in damage control when they take on Williams' Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow, the home side needing to arrest a worrying trend if they are to get the points. They've lost their last six games against the Bulldogs and, if they don't keep Williams quiet, a seventh straight defeat may not be far away. "The thing with Sonny Bill is you are not going to stop everything he does, it is just a matter of everyone being alive when he gets the ball and doing your best,'' Cleary said. "He is obviously a key guy for them and he is hard to contain ... I think the best thing you can do is control what we can do and make sure that we are not turning over possession easily and giving them too many opportunities.'' Even in a well beaten side last week, Williams managed to walk away from the 40-12 loss to the Roosters with his head held high. He ran for 132 metres, had seven offloads and two line-breaks and, had it not been for his influence and a brilliant defensive display from Luke Patten, the score might have been anything. Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes, who this week announced 2008 would be his last in charge at the club, said his side needed to do more to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Kiwi juggernaut. "I think if you're a player playing alongside Sonny, you'd be mad not to follow him,'' Folkes said. "We press that upon the guys every week, we haven't capitalised on a couple of breaks he's made last week but I'm sure the guys are thinking about that this week.'' The Warriors have had little trouble scoring points at home this season, averaging 28 in their two wins there this year. It was not surprising then that Cleary was emphasising defence to his squad this week. "The thing about the Bulldogs is that they always play football,'' Cleary said. "A lot of it is stuff that is really hard to stop. You have just got to be really on your toes and ready for anything when you play against them.'' Cleary will be sure to instruct his kickers to give the Bulldogs back three plenty of high balls to deal with after they were exposed against the Roosters. But having had the wood on the Warriors in recent times, Folkes said his side would head across the Tasman with plenty of confidence. "It is (difficult winning over there) but we've got a pretty good record over there against them,'' Folkes said. "We've probably won more than we've lost over there. So we go over there with a bit of confidence from that but it will be a tough game because they're a big physical side with plenty of ball skill.'' Photo Caption: Sonny Bill Williams in action wearing the black and white jersey.



	(Photos: The Pacific Index)

	HAWAII: Promising luau looms on the horizon Source: The Pacific Index Established in 1849, Pacific University has been named "best in the west" by the Princeton Review, and is home to several graduate programs in health, education, and writing. And yet, one of the first things that people remember when they hear the name "Pacific University" is a certain event that takes place once a year - always during the second weekend of April. Luau: Pacific's annual event put on by Na Haumana 'O Hawaii that trounces every other like it on the west coast, and most likely on the entire mainland. This year, Luau will be held on Saturday, April 12, starting with dinner in the U.C. from 4:30-6, and the show starting at 6:30 in the athletic center. "Aunty" Caroline Mundon's son has been a Pacific alumnus for 14 years, but she has faithfully attended and assisted with every luau since her son's freshman year until the death of her husband, Mike Mundon, in 2006. "Oregon is like my second home, because I can go in the store and see people I know. It's neat, and I'm glad my son went to Pacific", said Mundon. For Mundon, preparing and serving food at Luau is a breeze compared to hosting some of the luaus she and her husband have held back home, when on occasion they would serve up to 1000, or even 2000 people out of their backyard. When asked what made her come back to Oregon each year for almost two decades, Mundon said, "We made so many good friends coming to Luau, friends that are still friends today […] we totally loved the whole Pacific community". The Pacific community includes NHOH-ers who give up much of their time to help lead Luau each year they are here. One such student is Kihei Castillo, senior, and one of this year's Luau co-chairs. When asked how she felt about this being her last year involved in Luau, Castillo said, "It's been a really good experience. You get to show other people […] that there are different cultures that make up Hawaii. It's definitely sad because […] it's our [the senior's] last one. I'll feel like something's missing. Along with Castillo, Luau this year is being overseen by junior-year co-chairs Reggie Torres and Stephanie Murayama. As dance chair during both freshman and sophomore year, as well as pre-show chair and "hoodie" (the next position under Luau chair) last year, Torres has invested more than his fair share of time planning for Luau. "Luau is pretty much life; it brings everyone together. My first year I was instructor so it helped me become better friends with my classmates [and] work on my leadership. It was really weird my freshman year trying to teach juniors and seniors", said Torres. NHOH vice president and one of this year's ticket co-chairs, Murayama has also been heavily involved throughout her three years here, and plans to keep it that way. "I like Luau, it's a lot of fun, and I enjoy dancing", said Murayama. "The practices are hard, and it's a lot of time, but Luau also gives you a way to see everybody a lot". In a club where almost every member feels the strain of hell-week before Luau, the committee members, dance instructors, and chairs undoubtedly feel it the most. All three co-chairs readily admitted that the most difficult part about this time of year is the time crunch. "Trying to balance out my schedule [with] school and Luau [is] hard, but you just have to figure it out", said Castillo. After the leftovers are distributed, the seats are put away, and the decorations are taken down, Murayama (and most likely many others) said she will be looking forward to the after-party, which she says is a nice "de-stresser". Referring to her children, who now have families of their own, Mundon said, "they've worked so hard during Luau. Now, when they have parties, they cater. "My son always told me, Mom, when I have to take care of you, I'm going to put you in a care home in Forest Grove so you can go to Luau every year." Important Luau Information: Saturday, April 12, Pacific's 48th annual Luau is hosted by Na Haumana O Hawai`i Dinner from 4:30 pm- 6pm in the University Center Meal Includes: Kalua pig, chicken long rice, teriyaki chicken, poi, haupia, coconut cake, and Lu`au punch Hawaiian General Store in the Pacific Athletic Center will sell special goods flown in direct from Hawaii The Show starts at 6:30 in the Pacific Athletic Center Reserve Seating is $23 the meal and show, $17 for the show. General Admission is $19 for the meal and show and $13 for the show only. Student Prices for the meal and show are $21 for reserve and $16 for general admission. Prices for the show only are $15 reserve seating and $8 general admission. The After-After Party, open to everyone from 12 am- 3 am in the Multi-Purpose Room. Photo Caption: Maltezo, Chad Scott, Shahna Rohter, and Matt Kinoshita perform the traditional Philipino dance, Tinikling.

	NAURU: Nauru Rekindles Air Links With Norfolk Island Source: Our Airline Press Release Nauru’s Our Airline (formerly Air Nauru) is set to make a welcome return to the Norfolk Island route, following negotiations which were finalized this week to provide air services for Norfolk Air. The preparation of contracts between the two airlines and their respective governments are in the final stages and are expected to be signed over the next week. Under the arrangement, Our Airline will acquire an additional Boeing 737-300 series aircraft which will eventually replace Norfolk Air’s current 737-200, thus providing approximately 25 percent greater seating capacity and up to 50 percent additional freight carrying capability. The additional 737-300, to be based on Norfolk Island, is expected to be in service by October and will bear Norfolk Air’s livery. In the interim, services will be operated using the Norfolk Air’s existing aircraft, with interim services expected to start before the end of this month (April). Norfolk Island’s Minister for Finance, Neville Christian, said the five-year contractual arrangement would bring a host of benefits to both parties. “The newer generation aircraft will provide more reliable services with onboard state-of-the-art navigational equipment to reduce the likelihood of diversions in poor weather. “The additional seating and freight capacity, combined with lower fuel burn and extended over-water operational capability means the aircraft will be able to fly the Norfolk to Melbourne route with unrestricted payload. “This is great news for traveling Norfolk Islanders and tourists coming into Norfolk,” Mr. Christian said. Nauru’s Minister for Transport, Sprent Dabwido said the contractual agreement amounted to a resumption of the close relationship Nauru had held for many years under its previous airline, Air Nauru. “Today, we are in a much better position to provide a completely reliable service with effective flight frequencies rightly expected by the people and the government of Norfolk Island. “As a joint operation with Norfolk Air, we will have the combined strength to spread our wings, so to speak, with the linking of a wider network and a rapidly growing number of destinations, including Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Coolangatta and Brisbane along with our established routes in the Pacific,” Mr Dabwido said. The Norfolk Air agreement is the latest in a series of new opportunities for Our Airline, which recently signed an agreement with the Marshall Islands to provide air services between Majuro and Fiji on behalf of Air Marshall Islands. Special Advisor to the government of Nauru, Manish Sundarjee of Melbourne-based Kidman’s Partners, who helped consummate the Norfolk contract with Norfolk Air CEO, Ewan Wilson, said the agreement was consistent with Our Airline’s projected growth plan. “It will strengthen Our Airline’s position on key routes in the smaller regions of the Pacific, which have been under-serviced for far too long. “Our Airline has a number of other exciting projects on the table designed to fill these voids and provide much-needed services to niche destinations in the Pacific” Mr Sundarjee said. Norfolk Air CEO, Ewan Wilson said it was an exciting time for Norfolk Islanders and the island-based airline. “The Our Airline – Norfolk Air contract will see a number of additional employment opportunities for Norfolk Islanders. “Apart from our front-end ground staff, we will also be employing around ten new cabin crew members to accommodate the new services,” Mr Wilson said.

	TONGA: Hon Afu'alo Matoto's interview on TV Tonga Source: Tonga Review Hon Matoto said that the problems with valuation led to the introduction of the new vehicle cc-rating valuation method. Unfortunately, it has had an adverse impact on families and private importers. So, the Government has put in place a transitional process to use to previous valuation process until the 30th of this month at which time the new cc-rating laws will be used for all vehicle imports. This process will help to reduce the under or over valuation used by the Customs Officers. The new rules will help to encourage people to import fuel-efficient vehicles rather than the high powered gas guzzlers especially with high fuel prices. These are the two main reasons behind the introduction of the cc-rating scheme but it was not intended to harm the poor sector of society. Hon Matoto does not believe the new cc-rating is harming the poor but is providing a fairer method of valuing vehicles and preventing inaccurate valuations by Customs Officers. TBC media policy According to Hon Matoto, the issue surrounding the media gagging allegations in a small matter and is supposed to be an internal matter for the Tonga Boradcasting Commission. This problem has harmed Tonga’s image and international reputation which is very unfortunate. This has allowed to critics to jump on and use it to attack Government. The Minister supports media freedom but must be in accordance with the law. He has seen some programmes by candidates for the upcoming elections who made serious allegations which were untrue so there was a need to correct this. They do not want a repeat of the problems experienced last year with the reporting of the Parliamentary sessions. The Minister believes that the TBC interviewers must have the appropriate background knowledge of the topic so they can correct the candidates if they make certain accusations. The new TBC policy has been interpreted as a gagging of media but this is not the intention. He believes that this problem should’ve been handled internally within TBC but has ended up attracting significant international media attention. There has been criticism about the involvement of the senior staff of the Office of the Prime Minister in the vetting of political programmes and the Minister said that he does not have any ties to the Board of TBC even though his department has the authority to manage the Board of Directors. However, the involvement of the PMO staff is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister as Minister of Communications and this could be the reason behind their involvement. At the same time, the Prime Minister is also head of the Board of TBC and he must have a good reason for PMO staff involvement. Unfortunately, this is a sensitive issue. The involvement of PMO staff and TBC members to vet the programmes is important for ensuring the correct messages are put out and not unfounded accusations. We are keeping away and letting the officials sort this out because it is actually an internal matter for TBC. The Minister alluded to the unfounded accusations made by newspapers and individual attacks which are not helpful so it is important that the public are not being fed with incorrect information. According to his discussions with international media, the level of journalism in Tonga has hit the lowest point and some are very unprofessional in their portrayal of the facts using unfounded allegations. Journalism should be non-based and balanced instead of attacking non-discriminately.

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