Pacific Islands Report

Samoan death sentence commuted

APIA, Samoa—The death sentences imposed on two former Samoan cabinet ministers for the murder of public works minister Luagalau Levaula Kamu last July have been commuted to life in prison.

The murder convictions against Leafa Vitale, 58, and Toi Aukuso, 67, were commuted by Samoa’s head of state, Malietoa Tanumafili II,
Kamu was shot to death, after ending lucrative government contracts that benefited the two accused.

Vitale’s eldest son, Alatise, earlier pleaded guilty to the actual shooting. His original death sentence also was commuted to life imprisonment.

Solomons to suspend ban on militant groups

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—The government has agreed to suspend a ban on two militant groups, paving the way for their inclusion in new peace talks to end escalating ethnic violence on Guadalcanal.

The agreement follows two days of meetings between national leaders and the Malaitan provincial government.

The Honiara government is expected to suspend the ban on Monday, with a ceasefire between the Malaitan Eagle Force and Guadalcanal’s Isatabu Freedom Movement planned to follow
seven days later.

Meantime, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has announced that his government will pay to increase the multinational Pacific Island police force in the Solomons from ten to fifty officers.

Pay hike for Fiji nurses coming

SUVA, Fiji Islands—More than 1,700 nurses and support staff went on strike Friday, leaving only skeleton staff to assist patients in the nation’s hospitals.

The nurses are protesting the government’s failure to implement pay
increases promised in March.

Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said following a negotiating session that the promised increases have been delayed by administrative difficulties. They will be effective next month, he added, and will include retroactive payments.

Vanuatu opposition walks out

PORT VILA, Vanuatu—The Parliament’s opposition party staged a walkout during the opening address by Foreign Minister Serge Vohor at a government-sponsored seminar titled “Good Governance and Democracy.”

Opposition Leader Edward Natapei said the parliamentarians wanted to send a clear message to the former prime minister.

“Being the main mover of a motion to get rid of five opposition members of parliament, (we felt he) was just paying lip service to democracy and good government,” Natapei said.

The opposition’s representatives returned to the seminar following the conclusion of Vohor’s speech.