Pacific Islands Report

Fiji continues search for killers

SUVA, Fiji Islands — Army troops are still combing through rugged bush near the capital for armed rebels who killed a policeman and soldier Tuesday and wounded three others.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Filipo Tarakinikini said, “This is cold-blooded murder. There’s no doubt about it.”

The spokesman said escaped convicts are among the suspects. He described the attack as the worst act of violence since the May 19 coup.

Five Fiji chiefs under house arrest

SUVA, Fiji Islands — Five high chiefs from Fiji’s northern island of Vanua Levu are under house arrest.

Confinement in their residences follows allegations that they supported illegal activities on behalf of rebel leader George Speight, front man for the May 19 coup.

The five will be detained pending full-scale investigations against them.

Killing in Solomon Islands

HONIARA, Solomon Islands — The four-day cease-fire between rival militia groups has been broken with the killing of a Malaita Eagle Force member near the capital.

The incident is a severe blow to efforts to end the country’s 20-month ethnic conflict over jobs and land rights.

The Eagle Force has accused the rival Guadalcanal Isatabu Freedom Movement of breaking the cease-fire conditions, by moving into a Malaitan controlled area west of Honiara. An Eagle Force member was shot dead by sniper fire there Tuesday morning.

Compact agreement
unlikely this year

MELBOURNE, Australia — The key U.S. negotiator in talks involving renewing funding provisions of the 15-year Compact of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia said it is unlikely an agreement will be reached this year.

The State Department’s Allen Stayman has held a series of meetings with FSM officials this year, but he told Radio Australia “It’s unlikely anything will happen soon since Congress is winding down in an election year.”

The FSM has requested renewed annual funding, beginning next year, of $84 million.

Cook Islands celebrate
independence

AVARUA, Cook Islands — Sports events organized to celebrate the Cook Islands’ 35th anniversary of independence are under way this week on the main island of Rarotonga.

The Cook Islands Games have attracted participants and spectators from throughout the Pacific region. Competing as part of the independence celebrations are athletes from 14 island countries and territories. They are participating in 17 different sports.