NEWSROOM 04 May
2009

(Photos: Aoga Amata Samoa i Hawaii)

NEW ZEALAND: 18th Annual Conference of F.A.G.A.S.A. Incorporated Society

(Photo: Associated Press)

SAMOA: Special Release from the Office of the Prime Minister
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi has noted Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin’s views as conveyed in the media release from his office on 29 April 2009

“Like Faleomavaega, I have no wish to prolong an argument and wish only to reiterate the reasons for the deep sense of frustration felt by myself and other Pacific Forum Leaders in the continued rejection by Commodore Bainimarama of the efforts of the Pacific Island Forum, the Commonwealth, the European Union, etc to encourage Fiji to return to democracy.”

“Firstly, I want to reassure Faleomavaega that it was never my intention to cast any doubt on his freedom to speak his mind on any subject affecting the Pacific including Fiji nor the important work he does through the high and influential office of the United States that he has held with pride for many years, as the media reports most regrettably conveyed.”

“I wish however to point out that we have now tried to deal with Commodore Bainimarama since he overthrew at gunpoint in 2006 the elected government and sent into limbo the Parliament of his country. In that time, he promised the Forum Leaders at the Tonga Forum (I was present) that he would hold elections in 2009. The Commodore had no qualms in breaking this personal undertaking he made to the Leaders, and despite the offers of assistance from member countries - including assistance from Samoa which was given and carried out in good faith - the interim government made absolutely no attempt to even prepare for an election. The Forum Ministerial Consultative Group of the Forum made up of Ministers from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu that has visited Fiji twice came away with the distinct impression that the Commodore had no intention of holding elections. I participated in the first visit and personally conveyed my views to the Commodore.”
“The Commodore in 2007 despite reservations was accepted, attended and sat in meeting with the Forum Leaders in Tonga where he made his undertaking to the Forum to hold elections in early 2009. However in 2008 he did not bother to attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Niue knowing full well that Fiji was high on the agenda.”

“Even when the Pacific Forum Leaders convened a special meeting in Port Moresby early this year for the sole purpose to discuss Fiji, the Commodore would not attend sending instead his interim attorney general to meet with the Pacific Leaders. This rejection of the Forum Leaders’ open gesture was made even with the concentrated diplomatic effort of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea who went out of his way to try and convince the Commodore to attend.”

“The Commodore also employed tactics aimed at dividing the Pacific Forum Leadership by describing the Forum as following meekly the views of Australia and New Zealand. By implication the Commodore would only accept that Pacific island leaders are independent thinkers if they condone his military take over of his nation. The views expressed by some of the island Leaders quoted in the release from the Congressman’s office put to rest this rather clumsy attempt of the Commodore and his cohorts to divide the Forum. ”

“In October last year 2008 between the Niue Forum and the Port Moresby Special Leaders Meeting, I accepted a visit to Samoa of a special envoy of the interim government which was sent ostensibly to inform me on recent political developments in Fiji. However on the mission’s return to Fiji, the interim government put out a media report which attributed to me views and even quotes that would seem to support the interim government. My meeting with the envoy was supposed to have been confidential and the message I asked the envoy to take back to the Commodore was not at all what the interim government gave out in its media release. I promptly put out a media release to correct the record. After several weeks had passed the interim government produced a rather reluctant letter of apology.”
“Despite the many efforts of the Pacific Leaders Forum and individual countries to try and encourage Commodore Bainimarama to allow the people of Fiji to decide the future of the country through Parliamentary elections, the Constitution instead has now been abrogated. The military regime of Commodore Bainimarama rules Fiji by decree and has suspended human rights and freedoms taken as given by people in countries such as the United States and around the Pacific. This yoke of military dictatorship would be the lot of the people of Fiji until 2014 according to the present pronouncements of the military regime. But as has already been demonstrated in broken promises made before by the Commodore, there are simply no guarantees. The military regime is not accountable to the people of Fiji and has already made decrees to prohibit anyone asking questions about or expressing views against what the regime is doing.”

“This is the present situation and it is therefore the responsibility more than ever of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and governments interested in the future of Fiji to pressure the military regime to restore democracy and allow the people of Fiji to decide through the ballot box the future of their country and who should be periodically given the privilege to lead and make changes their country needs. The Commodore has already decided that it would take 8 years (2006-2014) before the people of Fiji can be trusted to decide who should govern the country. The Commodore however must be convinced first whether the people of Fiji would be ready at that time, and the people of Fiji are not allowed to question his judgement. This cannot be right and we must tell the Commodore in no uncertain terms that it is not.”

Photo Caption: Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.
 

AUSTRALIA: Some boatpeople seeking asylum for second time
Source: The Australian

At least a dozen of the asylum seekers who have arrived in the current wave of boatpeople are return visitors, some having been granted temporary protection visas and others having been rejected after arriving on the now-infamous MV Tampa.

Figures supplied by the Immigration Department revealed that between October and January, four of those who arrived by boat had been in Australia previously on temporary protection visas.

The figures will reignite the debate about the effectiveness of the controversial visa scheme, which the federal Government abandoned but which the Coalition has suggested should be restored.

A further five boatpeople in the recent influx had been detained on Nauru as part of the now-defunct Pacific Solution and were voluntarily repatriated after their claims for protection failed. Of those five, four had sailed for Australia and been rescued by Norwegian freighter MV Tampa, which arrived in Australian waters in 2001, becoming a flashpoint election issue and leading to the Howard government creating the Pacific Solution of offshore processing centres.

The department revealed yesterday that since January, a further three boatpeople who had arrived were known to have either been in Australia previously or been detained on Nauru.

The figures mean that at least 12 of the asylum seekers to have journeyed to Australia in the current wave of arrivals have tried, or succeeded, in coming to Australia before.

A spokeswoman for the Immigration Department said last night it was possible the number could climb because some of the 231 asylum seekers who had arrived in Australia since January had still to be processed.

There have been 17 unauthorised boat arrivals since the Government announced in August a softening of detention policies.

The Coalition has said changes to Australian policy, in particular the abolition of TPVs, have contributed to the spike by conveying the impression Australia is now a soft touch.

TPVs allowed asylum seekers to stay in Australia for three years, requiring them to demonstrate a need for protection on an ongoing basis.

They were abolished in May last year, fulfilling an election pledge by Labour.

Malcolm Turnbull has said given the current surge, the Government must consider restoring the controversial visa.

But he has stopped short of committing the Coalition to such a move amid fears it could reopen a damaging rift in his party between moderates, who opposed the visa - and hardliners.

The Government has rejected the Coalition's arguments, saying a worldwide surge in refugees is behind the recent influx.

Refugee Council president John Gibson says it is difficult to know exactly why refugees might have chosen to leave Australia without assessing their individual cases.

But he suggested one reason might be the visas themselves.

"There have been some cases where people have been given protection but have returned home out of concern for their families," Mr Gibson told The Australian.

"One of the causal functions in the increase in the number of people aboard the boats was the fact that TPVs didn't allow family reunions."

Opposition immigration spokeswoman Sharman Stone said the Coalition would be watching the processing of two-time asylum seekers very closely.

"If they haven't experienced extreme trauma in the intervening years since their first rejection, then the Coalition will demand to know how the criteria for refugee selection has changed," Dr Stone told The Australian.

Mr Gibson said a change in the political or physical situation in a refugee's home country might also account for a decision to return or reapply.
 

(Photo: Adventure Out)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Trekking guidelines prepared as Kokoda numbers soar
Source: The National

The number of trekkers tackling the Kokoda Track between Central and Oro provinces has increased by more than 5,000 between 2001 and last year.

Responding to concerns raised over the recent deaths of two Australian citizens on the track, the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) and Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) said in a joint statement that set guidelines for all prospective Kokoda trekkers were being worked on and would be implemented once completed.

The guidelines will require all trekkers to undertake compulsory training and seek proper medical clearance walking the track.

“We hope this will lead to us regulating the track in the long term,” both the PNGTPA and KTA said.

They also passed on their “heartfelt condolences to the families of the two trekkers who tragically died on the Kokoda Track” recently.

“Losing two young people far from home must be especially difficult,” they said.
“The KTA and PNGTPA respect the families’ wishes for privacy at this time and will not discuss the individual circumstances.”

The statement said since 2001, nearly 20,000 trekkers had walked the Kokoda Track increasing from less than 100 permitted trekkers in 2001 to more than 5,600 last year.

“This season, there has been 20 tour operators guiding trekkers along the Kokoda Track leading tours from both the Ower’s Corner and Kokoda Track heads.

“These recent tragic incidents are rare with only two other trekking deaths over the past eight years.”

The PNGTPA and KTA also pointed out that “commercial tour operators working on the Kokoda Track were highly professional with long-standing experience and expertise”.
“They also observe a code of conduct.”

Walking the Kokoda Track was a physically and mentally challenging activity that requires significant preparation and planning, the statement said.

“Prospective trekkers should undertake a planned and well-timed training regime to prepare themselves for the adventure.

“The trek should not be undertaken without full medical insurance and a clear understanding of the challenging experience ahead of them,” the statement from PNGTPA and KTA said.

Photo Caption: The Kokoda Track is one of the world’s great treks, linking the southern and northern coast of Papua New Guinea through rainforests with abundant flora and fauna, and clean mountain streams cascading into deep valleys.
 

SOLOMON ISLANDS: PM takes record Asian trip, starting in Taiwan
Source: Solomon Star

Prime Minister Derek Sikua leaves on a 25-day Asian trip tomorrow, taking in Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan.

The first stop will be Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, where the Prime Minister and his strong delegation of senior ministers will spend roughly eight days in official discussions with the Government of President Ma Ying-jeou.

It is a crucial visit since the two island nations forged diplomatic relations 26 years ago.

Unlike visits by prime ministers before him, the eight-day tour is being undertaken against a backdrop of a host of issues, including the uncertainty brought about by the global financial crisis and its potential impact on the Solomon Islands’ economy.

At the same time, there are positive developments on the Taiwan Straits - developments that are certain to cause some worry for the Honiara government.

Last week for example, Taiwan was for the first time, formally invited by the World Health Organization [WHO] to attend its annual assembly as an observer with the name, Chinese Taipei. The move is being seen as a sign of better ties between the governments across the Taiwan Straits.

Taiwan has repeatedly attempted to join the assembly since 1997, but past attempts have been thwarted by Beijing. Taipei’s annual untied aid to Solomon Islands is about $96 million.

Any change in the status of relations between Taipei and Beijing will have serious consequences for Solomon Islands.

Accompanied by his wife, Dr Sikua’s delegation of senior Ministers include the Minister for National Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana, former diplomat and Minister for Public Service, Milne Tozaka and Minister for Provincial Government, Day Pacha.

High on the agenda for the Taipei meeting, it seems is the Honiara government’s financial woes as it struggles to meet budget forecast and commitments this year.

One of the issues likely to be taken up in official discussions is a request for $10 million to fill a deep hole created by the alleged misuse of the national cattle development project. Taiwan funded the project in 2007.

Alleged misuse of the fund has ignited a fierce and ongoing debate in the media with members of the public calling on the government to account for the use of the money.

It appears the funds have been used up in rollover payments made out largely to Members of Parliament in the two years to 2008.

Insiders say some government MPs have exerted tremendous pressure on Prime Minister Sikua to dig deep into his government budget for additional rollover money to dish out.

Finance Minister, Snyder Rini, however is understood to have told MPs there are no more rollover funds to entertain MPs’ requests for extra funding this year.

While in Taiwan, Prime Minister Sikua is expected to brief President Ma Ying-jeou on preparations for the Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit in Honiara later this year.

Published reports say President Ma will lead his country’s delegation to the summit on 20 October. It will be President Ma’s first substantive trip overseas, intended among other things, to meet Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific.

In return for hosting the summit, Taiwan has agreed to fund the second stage of Solomon Islands’ National Parliament Building for up to $30 million.

Last year's summit was cancelled as President Ma courted China. He has declared a diplomatic truce with Beijing as part of efforts to prevent China from seeking to woo more of Taiwan's allies.

Observers say the summit will be very low key. They say President Ma wants to show goodwill to China, so he does not want to emphasize the sovereignty of Taiwan.

The delegation will break up in Taiwan with Minister Abana expected to return to the country on May 12. Ministers Tozaka and Day Pacha will follow on May 15.

Prime Minister Sikua and the rest of his entourage will return to Australia on May 13 and head straight to Indonesia for the Leaders’ summit on the Coral Triangle Initiative. The one-day Leaders’ summit will be held on 15 May 2009.

From Jakarta, Prime Minister Sikua travels to Japan for the annual Japan-South Pacific Leaders’ summit.

He returns to Honiara on May 29. Altogether the 25-day trip is a record time for any previous prime ministers to be away from the country.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Community)

WORLDWIDE: Climate Change: Our Century’s Challenge, Our Pacific Response
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community Press Release

Dealing with climate change in the Pacific is everyone’s business. This is the message of the 2009 Pacific Year of Climate Change being led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

The overarching theme for the Year, “Our Century’s Challenge, our Pacific response,” highlights the fact that Pacific people and nations cannot rely on others but need to work together if we are to address the challenge of living with a changing climate.

“Climate change is a threat which will impact on everyone, the region as a whole, the different island nations and within our Pacific communities. One of the aims of the 2009 Campaign is to promote urgent and immediate action on planning for adaptation to climate change,” said SPREP’s Climate Change Adviser, Espen Ronneberg.

The special year on climate change will also promote steps that can be taken to mitigate climate change at all levels, from individual to global.

“The Pacific Year of Climate Change gives us the opportunity to focus on the climate change challenges that are faced by the region,” Ronneberg said.

“But most importantly we will also seek to showcase the opportunities and possibilities that are available to the region to take meaningful action on climate change - both in terms of mitigation and adaptation.”

In December this year, the United Nations Framework for the Convention on Climate Change will hold its 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) at which countries hope to agree on a new direction for the international response to climate change, and to set new commitments that will come into force when the current commitments under the Kyoto Protocol expire in 2012.

The Pacific Year of Climate Change will serve to help the region prepare for COP15 by raising awareness at the international level about the need to support adaptation to climate change in the region and mitigation of climate change globally and the need to reflect these concerns in the outcome documents of the COP15.

The Pacific region has embarked on a regional renewable energy project that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from burning of fossil fuels by 33% by 2015. Currently, the region contributes less than 0.03% to the global emissions of greenhouse gases.

”These most vulnerable countries are leading by example even if they are the least responsible for causing the climate change problem,” Ronneberg explained.

Partnerships with Pacific governments, communities, non-governmental organisations and the general public will help ensure the campaign is successful. A number of Pacific members of SPREP have already put into action activities as part of the 2009 Pacific Year of Climate Change.

The Solomon Islands was the fist country in the region to launch the Pacific Year of Climate Change on World Meteorology Day, 23 March in Honiara. The Minister of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, Gordon Darcy Lilo, launched the year and outlined how the campaign will see stronger steps taken to advocate adaptation to climate change.

On the other side of the Pacific, in the Cook Islands, the National Environment Service will focus their National Environment Week around the Year of Climate Change with a range of different activities including a student speech competition on climate change. The winning student will have the opportunity to travel with the Cook Islands delegation to the COP15 in Copenhagen in December.

There is obvious strong commitment by SPREP members to achieve the objectives they set for the Pacific Year of Climate Change. As the Year gains momentum at the national level, it is clear that our century’s challenge is being taken seriously and that the Pacific can work together to develop sound responses to the potential climate change crisis.

For more details please contact SPREP’s Pacific Year of climate change campaign coordinator, Ewan Cameron E: [email protected] T: (685) 21929 F: (685) 20231 W: www.sprep.org

Photo Caption: The Pacific Year of Climate Change SPREP Team.