Pacific Islands Report

Cease-fire broken in Solomons

HONIARA, Solomon Islands — The chairman of the Cease-fire Monitoring Council, Sir Peter Keniloria, has appealed to the rival Guadalcanal and Malaita militia groups to show restraint, while cease-fire breaches are investigated.

The peace has been broken at least twice since the cease-fire came into effect last Saturday.
Keniloria said both sides in the 20-month ethnic conflict should remain calm while the latest skirmishes are investigated.

The Malaita Eagle Force launched the most recent offensive west of Honiara Wednesday.
They used a bulldozer converted into a tank to push into rival Isatabu Freedom Movement territory, burning houses along the way.

The Eagle Force said it was retaliating for the killing of one of its members on Tuesday, Radio Australia reported.

Fiji’s Rabuka says Indians seen as greedy

SUVA, Fiji Islands — Former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in an interview with the Australian news agency AAP, said many indigenous Fijians hate ethnic Indians because of perceptions they are greedy and unwilling to understand the country’s indigenous people.

Rabuka said the prospect of closer relations between the two races depends on native Fijians retaining national leadership.

He said Fijians can do a better job of leading the country and ensuring racial harmony than any other race in the country.

Niue’s budget deficit grows

ALOFI, Niue — Parliamentary critics of Prime Minister Sani Lakatani’s proposed national budget have called it heavy on handouts but low on initiatives that would create new private sector jobs.

The budget includes initiatives for information technology, improved air service, tourism investment, and tax reform. The proposal would inflate the country’s budget deficit to $600,000.

Lakatani, who also serves as finance minister, told Parliament that private sector initiatives such as the country’s new medical school are boosting the economy.

Rongelap Atoll planning tourism

MAJURO, Marshall Islands — Tourism officials have begun developing Rongelap Atoll, formerly a U.S. nuclear test site, into a visitor attraction.

Scuba divers say Rongelap is an outstanding, pristine dive spot, but some fear that the atoll is still contaminated from nuclear testing following World War II.

A recent Japanese television about the atoll has sparked visitor interest in its underwater attractions.

French Polynesia landfill dispute

PAPEETE, French Polynesia — Security concerns have prompted riot police using armored vehicles to escort waste trucks from Tahiti’s capital to the controversial Paihoro landfill.
The territorial government requested the escort following a court decision that opened the landfill to new waste despite strong opposition from local residents.

For the past two years, residents have been seeking a court order to close the landfill because of environmental concerns. They said they will not give up their fight despite numerous setbacks in court.