HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Governor General Sir John Lapli has suspended a ban on the country’s two warring militant groups, the Guadalcanal Isatabu Freedom Fighters and the Malaita Eagle Force.<\/p>\n
The suspension paves the way for representatives of the two groups to meet face-to-face to try to resolve the nation’s ethnic crisis through negotiation.<\/p>\n
Lapli said a ceasefire in the almost two-year conflict over jobs and land rights now is expected within the next seven days.<\/p>\n
Fiji nurses end strike<\/p>\n
SUVA, Fiji Islands—Fiji nurses have ended a two and a half day national strike.<\/p>\n
The Fiji Nurses Association announced Sunday that its membership is satisfied with the outcome of arbitration, which resulted in increased wages and better working conditions.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said the award was almost the same as the government offer made earlier. “If nurses had accepted our offer in March, they would have been paid by now,” he said. “There would have been no need to go on strike.”<\/p>\n
Moorea resort protest<\/p>\n
PAPEETE, French Polynesia—Moorea residents have obtained 700 signatures for a petition protesting plans for a resort development in Paopao.<\/p>\n
The project calls for reefs to be filled in for construction of over-water bungalows.<\/p>\n
Protestors said the resort would deny local residents access to their traditional fishing ground and force families to buy fish from markets.<\/p>\n
Although the law provides fishermen with shoreline access, they said many areas already are fenced off and restricted to local residents.<\/p>\n
Small businesses key to wealth
\nPORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Small and medium businesses hold the key to creating wealth and job opportunities for the majority of Papua New Guineans, according to Trade and Industry Minister Michael Nali.<\/p>\n
He said the country has surplus labor and high unemployment, and small business development holds great promise.<\/p>\n
Government start-up funding for entrepreneurs is planned. (Pacific Islands Report)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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