Pacific Briefs
Amnesty for protesting PNG soldiers
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PIR) — All soldiers involved in an armed protest now entering its seventh day (Wednesday) have been granted amnesty by the government.
Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta says no action whatsoever will be taken against any soldiers involved in the various incidents since weapons were seized last week, including a riot during an outdoor meeting Tuesday with Defense Minister Kilroy Genia.
Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta again stated that the defense reforms that triggered the soldiers’ actions, particularly plans to downsize the military, are cancelled. He said that his government is to blame for the crisis for failing to properly inform the Defense Force.
Fiji Commonwealth suspension remains
LONDON, England (PIR) — The suspension of Fiji from Commonwealth councils will remain in force pending the restoration of democracy, Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon announced Tuesday.
He made the comments during a meeting of the Commonwealth’s ministerial action group in London.
Fiji was suspended from the councils after last year’s coup attempt, but Fiji’s caretaker government has announced new elections will be held on August 27.
McKinnon expressed the hope that when the Commonwealth heads of government meeting takes place in October, Fiji will have a democratically elected government and the suspension can be lifted.
Solomons police defend use of weapons
HONIARA, Solomon Islands (PIR) — The police force said the use of firearms to clamp down on criminal elements in the country does not violate conditions of the Townsville peace agreement ending two years of ethnic conflict.
The country’s Peace Monitoring Council expressed concern about reports of police using a patrol boat to fire at villagers along a remote coast of Guadalcanal last week. More gunfire exchange was reported on Sunday.
The Council considers the use of weapons by police as a breach of the peace agreement. But Wilfred Akao, Solomon Islands Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, said police need to use guns to keep peace in the country.
UN Coral Reef Project to benefit Pacific
UNITED NATIONS, New York (PIR) — The United Nations Environment Program has launched a multi-million dollar, four-year project to help preserve the world’s coral reefs, up to 60 percent of which are at risk.
“Flagship” coral reef management demonstration sites in the Pacific include Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Arnavon Islands Conservation Area in the Solomon Islands, Rock Islands Conservation Area in Palau, Funafuti Conservation Area in Tuvalu, Kosrae Island in the Federated States of Micronesia and Samoa Community Reserves in Samoa.
Threats against the reefs, which are a vital habitat for fish, include over fishing, coastal development, overuse of fertilizers and other forms of pollution.
