Pacific Region News

Corruption a major Pacific problem

NADI, Fiji Islands–A conference of financiers and journalists has concluded that corruption is stifling economic and social development in the Pacific Islands region.

The two-day meeting, organized by Transparency International, has called on financial communities in the island countries to be more open with the media and provide a free flow of financial information to the press.

Participants in the conference, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, noted that efforts are being made to promote transparency, but they agreed that island governments were not enforcing many of the laws that would curb corruption.

Conflicting sea level reports confuse Tuvalu PM

FUNAFUTI, Tuvalu—Prime Minister Ionatana Ionatana has told Radio Australia that he is confused by conflicting reports about sea levels surrounding Tuvalu.

The low-lying island nation has been experiencing abnormally high spring tides in recent years, which Tuvaluans believe will eventually force them to evacuate to other countries.

But Ionatana said Australian scientists who have been monitoring sea levels since 1980 now say Tuvalu’s sea levels have been falling and not rising.

“Scientists have confused us, he said. “We are threatened by rising sea levels and here are these tide gauges telling us there is no sea rise.

“Now where do we stand?” he asked.

PNG reiterates commitment to Bougainville talks

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said Sunday that the next round of political talks with Bougainville leaders is extremely important and everyone must stay focused on the real issues.

He said the government is “firmly committed to a progressive political settlement” to end over a decade of secessionist war and tension.

The latest talks were scheduled to have begun Sunday but then were postponed to March 13. The meeting will consider the issues of expanded political autonomy for Bougainville and a possible referendum on independence.

Nauru warns of climate change impact

YAREN, Nauru—Nauru’s Acting Minister for Island Development, Aloyious Amwano, has urged the people of Nauru to prepare themselves for the adverse impact of climate change.

He said if the scientific community is right, Nauru will experience an increasing number of droughts, tidal surges and other natural disasters in the next ten years.

The current government regards climate change an extremely important issue in terms of national planning and economic development, Amwano said.

Chemicals, grease kill Fiji fish

SUVA, Fiji Islands—The National Water Quality Laboratory has determined that a high level of chemicals, fats and grease is responsible for recent fish kills in the capital area’s Walu Bay.

Armed with the findings, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests has begun holding meetings with both government agencies and factory representatives to determine how best to control pollution in rivers that feed into the bay.

Further analysis of precisely which chemicals are killing the fish is continuing. (Pacific Islands Report)