Pacific Islands Report

Fiji protesters take Turtle Is. resort

SUVA, Fiji Islands – Indigenous Fijian landowners demanding compensation have seized Turtle Island, one of the world’s most exclusive tourist resorts.

About 40 guests, mainly from Australia, New Zealand and the United States, are believed to be at the resort, in Fiji’s northwest Yasawa islands.

A spokesman for the protesters said the tourists are safe, but it’s not clear if they will be allowed to leave.

Fiji’s martial law authorities said the incident is not directly linked to the hostage situation in Suva, adding they will leave the issue for local chiefs to resolve.

Honiara keeps peace on track

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The government paid $70,000 in compensation for the murder of two militants who were shot in a Honiara hospital.

The payment was made to keep alive government efforts to end the 19-month ethnic conflict on the main island of Guadalcanal.

The two men, who were members of the Isatabu Freedom Movement, were shot dead in the hospital’s surgical ward.

The rival Malaita Eagle Force has denied any involvement, but spokesman Andrew Nori says the killings may have been revenge attacks carried out by Malaitans not associated with the Eagle Force.

Cross remains atop PNG parliament

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – House Speaker Bernard Narokobi said a Christian cross erected on top of the Parliament building will remain there as long as he is in the chair.

He said those who want it removed would have to move a successful motion on the floor of Parliament.

Narokobi defended the decision to put up the cross, saying Papua New Guinea is a Christian country as provided for in the Constitution and the cross was a reminder of that.

The erection of the cross has come under criticism by some members of Parliament who are calling for its removal.

Mob torches market in Irian Jaya city

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A mob of about 200 people set fire to a major market in Jayapura, the main city of the country’s easternmost province of Irian Jaya, which is seeking independence.

The mob attacked the Sentani market, burning hundreds of kiosks and stalls. No one was injured during the incident.

The attackers were angry with police for failing to quickly solve a local murder case.

Police said the incident was not related to a pro-independence drive. There has recently been increasing calls for a peaceful move towards independence from Indonesia since the fall of former President Suharto.