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(Photo:
Commonwealth Secretariat) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Tonga enjoys strong relationship
with NZ, says Tongan PM
Source:
New Zealand Pacific Business Council
Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele
commented on Tonga's warm diplomatic
relationship with New Zealand, the political
reform process in Tonga and its stance on
the Fijian political upheaval when he spoke
at Victoria University on the evening of May
18.
There was an audience of about 200 people
for the second 'Pacific Cooperation
Foundation Annual Pacific Address' during
the Prime Minister's official visit to New
Zealand. Earlier at the University of
Canterbury in Christchurch on Thursday May
14 he covered the same topics. Dr Sevele
reminded his audience that Tonga was the
"Cradle of Polynesia". "We have a 3,000
years history. The first Tongan dynasty was
in 950 BC and during that era ruled over a
wide territory of the Pacific.
"Two royal dynasties later, King Siaosi
Tupou I became king of the Tu'ikanokupolu
dynasty during the early 1800s, and
following a fact-finding mission to Sydney,
Australia, he vowed that Tongans would never
live with the homelessness and poverty that
he saw in the streets of Sydney at the time.
Tonga under Tupou I first established
diplomatic relations with France in 1855,
which was followed later by other western
powers, the Germans and the British. In 1875
Tupou I proclaimed the Tongan Constitution,
which became one of the oldest written
constitutions in the world."
He said that Tonga, however, became a
British Protectorate during the early 1900s
and during those years Tonga's foreign
relations were taken care of by the British,
and during those years there was move for
Tonga to fall under New Zealand control but
that was not to happen. Tonga ended the
British Protectorate agreement in 1970.
The Prime Minister reminded the audience
that the Tonga-New Zealand relationship was
deeply rooted and very friendly. Two thirds
of the Tongan Cabinet had been educated in
New Zealand, including himself, and the bond
of friendship between the two countries is
very strong.
King initiated reform
With regards to the Political Reform in
Tonga, he reminded the audience that Tonga's
democratization process began in 1875 with
the declaration of the Constitution. In 2006
King George Tupou V stepped up a reform
process that was initiated by his father
King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in 2005, when four
Cabinet Ministers were appointed from the
elected members of the House, two from the
People's Representatives and two from the
Nobles' Representatives.
Dr Feleti Sevele was one of the first four
elected members to be appointed Cabinet
Minister, he was the Minster for Labour,
Commerce and Industries, but less than a
year later he was made Prime Minister.
He said that the riot of November 16, 2006,
was initiated by a group of political
activists "who refused to accept the truth
that the king had agreed and has already
initiated a reforming program," and instead
of accepting the truth tried to force in
their own reforming program. "They just
refused to accept the truth," he said.
Fiji
With regards to the upheaval in Fiji, the
Prime Minister stated that Tonga's stance,
which was also agreed to by the Forum in
Papua New Guinea in January was for Fiji to
set an election date by May 1. If Fiji
failed to do so then officials from the
present regime would be suspended from all
Forum meetings.
Dr Sevele did not think it was warranted for
Fiji as a nation to be suspended from the
Forum. He reminded the audience of the
possible negative impact that such a
suspension would have on the people of Fiji,
which is the home for the University of the
South Pacific, the Fiji School of Medicine
and the Pacific Islands Forum itself. He did
not support the idea of outsiders
interfering with Fiji's reform program.
He said that Tonga would not interfere with
Fiji's reform program, "particularly after
we have been telling others not to interfere
with ours."
Attending the address was a mixture of
Tongans, other Pacific Islanders and New
Zealanders who have an interest in Tongan
affairs, including former high Commissioners
to Tonga, Warwick Hawker and Michael
McBride.
At the end of the Prime Minister's speech
the floor was opened for questions.
Photo Caption: Tongan Prime Minister Hon.
Dr Feleti Sevele.
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(Photo:
Samoa Government) |
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SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source:
Government Press Secretariat Press Release
Prime Minister to attend Pacific Alliance
Leaders Meeting 5 (PALM 5)
The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
and Aiono Mose Pouvi Sua (CEO Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade) have left the country
in attendance of the Pacific Islands Forum
Leaders meeting with the Government of Japan
(PALM 5) to be held in Hokkaido, Japan 20 - 24
May 2009.
This fifth (5th) meeting which started in 1997
is held every three years. PALM 5 will discuss
all the issues that the Government of Japan will
assist the Pacific States with.
These issues include:
* Relationship between the People of the Pacific
and the Japanese: Pacific people attending
Universities in Japan and the Japanese experts
that have been sent to the Pacific Islands to
help some of the developments,
* Environment and Climate Change issues,
* Security, Health, Water, Agriculture plus
issues regarding the economic crisis,
* Fisheries and
* Trade
The Samoa Delegation will be joined by H.E
Leiataua Dr. Kilifoti Eteuati, Samoa Ambassador
to Australia.
Samoa to Host Forum in June 2009
Cabinet has approved the request from the
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for Samoa to
Host the Meetings for: 1) Pacific Ministers of
Trade (ACP) and 2) Trade Forum Ministers to be
held from the 8 - 20 June this year.
The request came after receiving confirmation in
April from the Solomon Islands that they will
not be able to host the two meetings due to
unforeseen circumstances. These meetings will
discuss trade issues in the Pacific in relation
to the Pacific’s Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) with the European Union (EU). The
Ministers will also look at ways to help the
Pacific Islands cope with the current Economic
Crisis.
Up to 60 Government representatives from
different Pacific States will attend the two
weeks meeting, which will be a benefit for local
businesses. Money spent for organizing this
event will stay in the country.
The Meetings will be mostly funded by the
Pacific Island Forum Secretariat.
Report on the 29th FAO Regional Conference
Cabinet has approved the report by the Samoa
Delegation on the 29th FAO Regional Conference
for Asia and the Pacific that was held in
Bangkok, Thailand from the 26 - 31 March 2009.
Thirty three (33) countries attended the meeting
with representatives from Non- Governmental
Organizations and Observers. The main focus of
discussion was on the importance of the
development of Agricultural Sectors in the Asia
and Pacific Countries and identifying ways to
minimize risks and effects of the Climate Change
on the issue.
Areas which were looked at in order to achieve
the above Focus were:
* Communicable diseases originated from animal
farms,
* Insufficient supply of Water,
* Commercial Farming,
* Assistance in Trading of Agricultural Goods,
* FAO Regional Commission
* Food Safety in Asia-Pacific
Also recommended in this meeting was the
strengthening of the services offered by the FAO
Office in Bangkok and Samoa. There was also a
call for FAO, ASEAN, SAARC and other
Organizations to work together to accomplish the
main aim.
The participants from Samoa were Hon. Minister
for Agriculture, Taua Tavaga Kitiona Seuala and
the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of
Agriculture, Asuao Kirifi Pouono.
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(Photo:
Australian High Commission) |
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AUSTRALIA: First South West Pacific trip for
landing craft
Source:
Australian High Commission Press Release
HMA Ships Labuan and Tarakan, Balikpapan Class
Heavy Landing Craft, arrived in Apia on
Wednesday (May 20, 2009) as part of their first
South West Pacific deployment. The ships are
conducting a seven week deployment, visiting
Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu and Brisbane.
“The crew are very excited to visit Samoa,” says
Lieutenant Commander Damien Munchenberg,
Commanding Officer of HMAS Tarakan, “especially
for those who have never visited the country
before. Both ships have really enjoyed the first
part of our South West Pacific deployment and
look forward to spending time in this beautiful
part of the Pacific”.
The purpose of the deployment is to engage
Australia’s regional neighbours and to
strengthen international ties. Royal Australian
Navy units regularly visit nations in the South
West Pacific and participate in a range of
exercises in the region.
Labuan and Tarakan will return to their home
port of Cairns on 12 June 2009.
Labuan and Tarakan are capable of moving large
amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment from
larger ships such as HMA Ships Kanimbla, Manoora
and Tobruk or from civilian ships, to shore.
Labuan was built in Maryborough, Queensland and
was commissioned on 9 March 1973. Tarakan was
built in Maryborough, Queensland and was
commissioned on 15 June 1973. Both ships are
based in Cairns, Queensland with a crew of 21.
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(Photo:
Reuters) |
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USA: Faleomavaega calls on administration to
implement "Smart Power" in Oceania
Source:
Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release
The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the
Pacific and the Global Environment, Rep. Eni
Faleomavaega, followed up on his April 22, 2009
dialogue with Secretary of State Clinton by
urging her to implement the Obama
Administration’s concept of “smart power” with
the Pacific Island nations of Oceania.
“We are long overdue: the United States needs to
step up - independent of Australia and New
Zealand - and construct the sort of ‘smart
power’ policies toward the Pacific Island
nations that Hillary Clinton’s team is
implementing around the globe,” said
Faleomavaega.
“Unfortunately, the State Department seems to be
neglecting Oceania. Just last week, for example,
we learned that Administration’s proposed budget
for FY2010 does not provide any funding for
USAID programs in the region. And we continue to
make the mistake of deferring to the Australian
and New Zealanders on the Pacific Islands even
though their inept policies and heavy-handed
actions have put American interests at risk. We
all remember how George W. Bush liked to talk
about Australia’s former Prime Minister as his
‘deputy sheriff’ in the region.”
“We must begin with more active, direct and
sustained engagement. We need to make it
absolutely clear that the United States
considers these nations important enough that we
will chart our own course instead of outsourcing
our policymaking to Canberra and Wellington.
It’s just common sense, for instance, to have a
USAID presence in the region. If we committed
even a tiny fraction more of our budget to the
Pacific Islands, we could make a real difference
in generating sustainable economic growth,
strengthening democratic institutions and
addressing the challenges of climate change,”
Faleomavaega said.
“Exchanges are especially important. At a
person-to-person level we should increase the
numbers of Peace Corps volunteers, Fulbright
Scholars and U.S.-South Pacific Scholars. And I
strongly believe that we need to hold a Pacific
Islands Conference of Leaders - hopefully this
year, right here in Washington - so that the
President and senior-level officials can meet
with the Pacific Islands’ heads of state and
government. Currently, Japan, France and the
People’s Republic of China all accord Pacific
Island nation leaders that sort of opportunity
to meet with top government officials.”
“I note with interest that at a recent press
conference with foreign journalists, Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton responded to a question
of whether Canberra will now have to carry the
burden to deal more with China since there seems
to be a decline of U.S. influence in the Pacific
region. As she said, ‘The fact that a country
like China is becoming more successful or
Indonesia is now a very successful democracy, we
see that as to the good for the entire Pacific
region. But we also are sending a clear message
that the United States will be engaged. We are a
trans-Pacific power as well as a trans-Atlantic
power.’ With that clear statement, it is my
sincere hope that the United States will pay
more attention not only to the current crisis in
Fiji, but to the needs of all the Pacific Island
nations,” Faleomavaega concluded.
Photo Caption: Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton says "We want Australia, as well as
other nations to know that the United States is
not ceding the Pacific to anyone".
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(Photos: Oceania Football
Confederation) |
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VANUATU: Olympic endorsement for Vanuatu, Papua
New Guinea
Source:
Oceania
Football Confederation Press Release
Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has
confirmed the nomination of Papua New Guinea and
Vanuatu to represent Oceania football at the
first ever Youth Olympic Games to be held in
Singapore in August 2010.
OFC has made its selection proposal within FIFA
parameters which state that Member Associations
nominated must represent nations that ‘have
never, or rarely, had the opportunity to
participate in Olympic Games or World Cups.’
FIFA has also requested that Oceania nominate
different countries for the men’s and women’s
football tournaments.
Vanuatu has been selected for the men’s side
following the establishment of the FIFA Goal
Football Program in which players are identified
at a young age and housed in an academy where
they train together daily. As one of only six
countries globally to be chosen for this pilot
project, Vanuatu will have an opportunity to
show FIFA the success of the program at the
Youth Olympic Games next year.
Papua New Guinea have been selected for the
women’s draw on the back of strong performances
over the past couple of years including a gold
medal at the XIII South Pacific Games Samoa 2007
- a competition that is part of the Olympic
movement.
The final decision regarding OFC representation
at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games will
be made by FIFA at the 59th FIFA World Congress
in Nassau, Bahamas, on 30 May.
If confirmed, OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas
says Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu will thrive on
the opportunity to test themselves against the
world’s best.
“Papua New Guinea have performed consistently in
recent women’s tournaments but fallen short of
toppling New Zealand for a place at a FIFA
event,” says Nicholas.
“Now with a nomination for the Youth Olympic
Games they can set their sights on competing at
the next level and potentially earning
international recognition.”
“Meanwhile Vanuatu is making huge strides in
terms of youth development thanks to the newly
introduced FIFA Goal Football Program so their
selection is also well deserved,” says Nicholas.
The inaugural Youth Olympic Games will be held
in Singapore from 14-26 August 2010 and is
expected to involve 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18
from 205 National Olympic Committees. Athletes
will compete in 26 sports while also
participating in cultural and education
programs.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
created the new event in Guatemala in July 2007
with the aim of inspiring young people to
participate in sport, play an active role in
their communities and live by the Olympic
values.
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WORLDWIDE: Pacific Islands forum leaders gather
in Japan for PALM5
Source:
Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have started
arriving in Japan for their 5th meeting with
Japan known as the Pacific Alliance of Leaders
Meeting (PALM 5) which will be held on Japan's
northern island of Hokkaido 22 - 23 May 2009.
“We are fully committed to strengthening this
long standing partnership and friendship between
Japan and the Pacific Islands Forum, towards a
shared common destiny for peace, security and
prosperity for all our people,” says Hon. Toke
Talagi, Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and
Premier of Niue. Mr Talagi will jointly chair
the meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan,
Hon. Taro Aso.
Issues to be discussed during PALM 5 will
include environment and climate change; building
resilience against the vulnerabilities faced by
Pacific island countries; and fostering exchange
between the cultures of the Pacific island
countries and that of Japan.
The key outcomes of PALM 5 will be conveyed
through the Leaders’ Declaration at the end of
the meeting on 23 May.
Other activities leading up to PALM 5 includes a
Pacific Island Leaders and Japan Roundtable on
Water and Sanitation, opening of the Pacific
Island Center at Meiji University and the
Pacific Island Exhibition. All these other
activities will be held in Tokyo.
The inaugural PALM Summit was held in 1997 with
the objectives of enhancing relations between
Japan and Pacific island countries taking into
account global developments impacting on the
development and economic prosperity of island
countries and how Japan can effectively
contribute to that prosperity;; the importance
given by Japan to issues of sustainable
development for island countries; and further
strengthening relations between the Pacific and
Japan which had grown steadily over the years.
Subsequent Summits were held in 2000, 2003 and
2006:
The Okinawa Initiative and Okinawa Partnership
have been key outcomes of previous PALM’s and
have formed the basis of Japan’s development
assistance to the region. Japan’s Assistance
Plan over the last 3 years is consistent with
the Pacific Plan and amounts to around 45
billion yen. A major portion of the assistance
has been in the form of grants to PIF Members.
Emphasis has been given to bilateral assistance;
capacity building and human resource
development; and people to people communication
and Exchange.
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