Pacific Briefs
Call for urgent talks on the future of Bougainville
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea-Ombudsman Simon Pentanu has called on Bougainvillean leaders and the national government to immediately begin talks on the political future of Bougainville.
Pentanu, who chaired a weekend meeting on Nissan Island of leaders from the main Bougainville factions, recommended that dates be set to seriously consider the issue of an independence referendum.
Bougainville rebels fought a decade-long war before agreeing to a cease-fire at the end of 1997. Independence for the copper-rich island remains their goal.
Bank says reforms in Pacific too complex
MANILA, Philippine Islands-The Asian Development Bank has determined that fiscal reform programs it has been funding in several Pacific Island nations are too complex and ambitious for governments to implement on time.
Government downsizing and privatization projects approved for the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are beyond the current governments’ capacities ADB noted in a just-released report titled “Lessons Learned.”
The bank agreed that it must be more sensitive and understanding of the economic realities in the Pacific before pushing for commercial business-type reforms.
State corporations in PNG identified for privatization
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea-Several state run corporations have been identified for sale early in the new year under the government’s expanded privatization program.
Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said Air Niugini, the Electricity Commission and the National Broadcasting Corporation are among the government enterprises likely to be sold.
He said proceeds from the sales will be used to repay loans owed international financiers.
Operation to collect weapons on Guadalcanal
HONIARA, Solomon Islands-An international effort to restore peace on Guadalcanal began Monday, with Fiji and Vanuatu police joining Solomon Islands counterparts.
The international force’s first mission will be to set up weapons collection points, where Isatambu Freedom Fighters have agreed to turn in their arms.
The militants have caused months of ethnic unrest, forcing thousands of immigrants from neighboring Malaita to return to their home islands.
