Pacific Region News
Tongan king appoints youngest son as PM
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – In a surprise move, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV has appointed his third and youngest son, Prince Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, 41, as prime minister.
He succeeds Baron Vaea, who has retired, and becomes the kingdom’s fourth premier in 51 years.
The appointment had been expected to go to the king’s eldest son, Crown Prince Tupouto’a, who has been criticized by monarchists as being too outspoken and in favor of democratic reforms.
Tonga is a near absolute monarchy. Government appointments by the king generally are for life.
New Marshalls gov’t by next week
MAJURO, Marshall Islands – New President Kessai Note has announced that he will name his government ministers within a week.
Note was elected President in a unanimous vote by parliament on Monday, following November national elections which significantly altered the nation’s balance of political power.
Note has taken a strong anti-corruption stand, promising voters major governmental reforms.
He said his first priority is to have a budget passed, since parliament failed to approve one in October.
Hawaii company to promote Yap tourism
COLONIA, Yap – A Honolulu public relations firm, The Limtiaco Company, has been awarded a one-year contract by the Yap Visitors Bureau to promote the Micronesian island state’s budding tourism industry.
The company this month has begun a media relations program to heighten awareness of Yap in the North American market.
“Yap is one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures,” said Ruth Limtiaco, head of the company. “They have made a conscious effort to preserve their traditional cultural way of life.”
The public relations campaign will focus on promoting Yap’s eco- and cultural- tourism to adventure travelers
New Caledonia VP given suspended jail sentence
NOUMEA, New Caledonia – Vice President Leopold Joredie was given a one year suspended jail sentence Tuesday for improperly providing public funds and a business contract for his son, Fabio.
The illegal actions took place between 1994 and 1995 while Joredie was president of Northern Province and mayor of Canala.
At the trial the prosecution called for a one year suspended sentence, loss of civic rights for three years and a fine, which the court rejected.
Fiji Times to appeal order against editor
SUVA, Fiji Islands – The Rupert Murdoch-owned Fiji Times newspaper will take legal action against a government order forcing its expatriate editor to leave the country.
Russell Hunter, who has been refused a visa extension after three years as editor-in-chief, has been told to leave Fiji within 30 days.
In a statement, newspaper lawyer Graham Leung linked the decision to “the palpable hostility against the Fiji Times by some senior members of the government.”
The Fiji government has regularly accused the Times of anti-government bias and support for opposition parties.
