Pacific Islands Report

New Zealand warship in Solomons

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A navy frigate is being sent to the Solomons Islands to serve as the venue for peace talks between the Melanesian nation’s rival ethnic militias.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the warship is expected to arrive in the capital, Honiara, next week and will remain for at least two weeks.

Tensions continue to simmer in the Solomons despite a cease-fire agreement being signed early this month between the government and the rival Guadalcanal Isatabu Freedom Movement and the Malaita Eagle Force.

Pacific Students urged to return to Suva

SUVA, Fiji Islands –The governments of Samoa, the Cook Islands and Kiribati are refusing to allow their citizens who are students at the University of the South Pacific to return to Fiji.

The students were scheduled to begin second semester classes this week.

Campus information officer Hamidan Bibi said the university will attempt to accommodate the Pacific Islander students who cannot make it back to the Laucala campus by offering up to 40 courses at regional extension centers and via video conferencing.

Fiji president wants coup probe

SUVA, Fiji Islands — President Josefa Iloilo has appointed a board of
inquiry to determine why security forces allowed the May 19 coup to take place.

He said the investigation will establish the real motives behind the insurrection, which led to the overthrow of the People’s Coalition government and Indo-Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

He said it will also ensure that a strategy for better security and intelligence is implemented to avoid a similar situation in the future.

Tuvalu to become full Commonwealth member

LONDON, England — Tuvalu will become a member of the Commonwealth on September 1.

Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon made the announcement in London, noting that 54 Commonwealth nations unanimously agreed to Tuvalu’s membership.

Tuvalu achieved independence from Great Britain in 1978.

Polynesian Airline expands services

APIA, Samoa — Samoa’s Polynesian Airlines will begin twice-weekly non-stop service from Apia to both Honolulu and Sydney in November using new Boeing 737-800s.

Chief executive Richard Gates said the airline also plans to add service to Rarotonga, Cook Islands and Tahiti, French Polynesia beginning next year.

Chairman of the national airline is Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.