| WELKAM |
| .........................................WELCOME.........................................
The Central Malaita Students Association (CMSA) is a multi-dialect and cultural Student Group Consisting of students from Kwara’ae, Langalanga, Kwai and Ngongosila, Malaita Outer Islands, Kwaio and Fataleka.
Our vision and objective is to protect the norms and cultural values of our members while at the same time we enhance our academic knowledge and skills towards the promotion of development and the improvement of living standards in our respective regions.
.............................................DISCLAIMER...............................
The site welcomes any contribution by way of information, comments, news articles, photos etc from its members and interested members of the public to ensure we are well informed of all the developments in our villages, constituencies, regions, islands, country, region and the world at large as well.
However, any transmission of information, news and comments is intended only for the use of the members of the Association. Any use or dissemination of information provided in this site in other websites or medium of information is not the responsibility of the Association, and the Association cannot be held liable for it. The contents of this webpage, unless expressly stated, do not comprise the views of the Association or any representation by the Association, but are views of its individual members.
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| LOCATION |
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| WHAT'S NEW |
- Central Malaita Student Association(CMSA) would include Malaita Outter Islands
student as of next year.That means if you are from Malaita Outter Islands, you are part of CMSA.
- This site is currently undergoing some major changes.
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| NOTICES |
| I WILL BE AWAY FOR TWO WEEKS IN THE SOLOMONS. WHILE I AM AWAY, N.G, COULD YOU KEEP OUR SITE UPDATED WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM HOME. I WILL BE BACK ONLINE IN AUGUST - PM |
QUOTE OF THE DAY |
| "Youth is a blunder; Manhood is a struggle; Old age is a regret - (BENJAMIN DISRAELI (1804 - 1881)" |
 BENJAMIN DISRAELI (1804-1881) |
| CHAT BOARD |
| KU'AL HU'AN ALA'ANGA!!!.
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| CLIPS OF THE TSUNAMI IN SOLOMON ISLANDS |
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| HISTORICAL CLIPS OF THE SOLOMONS |
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| OTHER SOLOMON ISLANDS CLIPS: MUSIC, SPORTS ETC |
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| POSTERS |
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Vakavuku, SISA custom dancers administrator
Central Malaita Dancing Group at the Tsunami Appeal at Laucala Campus administrator
AUKI WHARF administrator
REACHING OUT....A young boy from Kilusakwalo reading through a pamphlet about RAMSIâs work in Solomon Islands which was
distributed during a meeting by a RAMSI Outreach Team to the village yesterday. PICTURE: MOFFAT MAMU administrator
A Malaita Ramo - JanesOceania.com
A house found it self submerged as a result of the Tsunami - Lifhaus.com">
 Jacinta Moli from Central Malaita representing Solomon Islands in Powerlifting during the Commonwealth Games
administrator
Tennis Queen Irine George from Central Malaita" ">
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| Wednesday, February 28, 2007 |
| TWO NEW MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED |
SIBConline news
18:56 hrs
28/02/2007
The Prerogative of Mercy committee has its two new members sworn in today by the Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena.
The Government Communications Unit says the new members are Doctor Obed Alemaena of Isabel province and Anglican priest, Father Richard Suiga of Malaita province.
The Committee, whose role is to recommend to the Head of State prisoners’ applications for pardon was inactive since 2005.
Chairman of the Committee, Emanuel Kauhota said the inclusion of the two new members will enable the committee to again carry out its duties.
The committee is comprised of three permanent members and nine ordinary members from the nine provinces in the country.
The Permanent members are selected from professions including a medical doctor, a social worker and someone with a legal background.
Governor General Sir Nathaniel said the national constitution requires the proceedings of the committee and this morning's swearing in will enable the committee to carry out its function. |
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| MOTI AFFAIR: PM slams probe in Parliament |
The National
20/02/07
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has accused members of the PNG Defence Force Board of Inquiry of illegally conducting the probe beyond Feb 4 and convicting him using a trial in the newspapers.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, and using its privilege, the Prime Minister attacked the board, chaired by Justice Gibbs Salika, and senior counsel John Kawi, of going beyond the bounds of law and “going political”.
As Sir Michael launched his attacked in Parliament, his lawyers went next door to the National Court in Waigani and filed an application to void the entire proceedings of the inquiry and to prevent its final report from being published.
Lawyers representing the Prime Minister attempted to serve papers relating to this proceeding on the board of inquiry, but chairman Justice Gibbs Salika rejected it, telling them the proper process was to serve the papers (originating summons) on the Solicitor General, since the inquiry was an instrument of Government.
In Parliament, the Prime Minister said, in response to questions from deputy Opposition leader Byron Chan: “The board, and particularly the counsel assisting the board, had gone beyond the requirements of what the law stipulated, and I cannot sit and just wait for board members to go to newspapers and make newspapers a trial for me.
“I’ve already been convicted, so when the time expired (Feb 4), I directed the minister to terminate the board so that’s where it stands. They were conducting meetings after Feb 4; that’s illegal as far as the law is concerned.”
Sir Michael said if he had got the advice for an extension he would have given time but the inquiry had gone “very political indeed” and the integrity, ethical and professional conduct of the members of the inquiry came into question.
He confirmed that he had sacked Defence Minister Martin Aini on Monday night.
But he denied receiving a request from Mr Aini to extend the inquiry to March 23.
“I never received a request from the minister to ask me for an extension, and the board was given an allocation of K1 million to carry out the functions in two months.”
He also hit out at criticisms levelled at him by the TUC general secretary John Paska, saying if the TUC leader wanted to run for the New Ireland regional seat, he should do so instead of using newspapers and radio.
“Go and play politics, go and stand as regional member for New Ireland and see if he can win,” Sir Michael said.
Meanwhile, National Court officials confirmed that an urgent application was filed yesterday and Deputy Chief Justice Salamo Injia would hear it today.
The officials said the Prime Minister was seeking orders to declare the entire PNGDF Board of Inquiry null and void and not legally constituted, and was also seeking an injunction to stay the findings of the inquiry from being published. |
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| UNION CONGRESS CALLS FOR RESIGNATION OF PNG PM |
SIBConline news
19:01 hrs
27/02/2007
The Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare over his handling of the Defence Board of Inquiry into the Julian Moti saga.
PNGTUC general secretary John Paska has also called on the Ombudsman Commission to take over and implement the recommendations of the inquiry.
Mr Paska said the premature disbanding of the Moti inquiry spits contempt on the integrity of the entire judicial process as it completely corrupts the independence and the impartiality of the judicial process.
He said PNG had been announcing to the world the its judiciary was free of political interference but the reports that the Prime Minister was pressuring the Defence Minister to disband the inquiry was very disturbing and borders on subversion of the course of justice.
Mr Paska said the Prime Minister owes it to the people of Papua New Guinea, who must have confidence and trust in leaders and the integrity of the people and the nation was at stake. |
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| Tuesday, February 27, 2007 |
| CHIEF JUSTICE ORDERS REVIEW OF CASES |
SIBConline news
19:11 hrs
27/02/2007
The Chief Justice, Sir Albert Palmer, has directed that all cases involving prisoners who are protesting about court delays be urgently reviewed.
The Chief Justice said the workload of the Solomon Islands High Court is at un-precedent levels.
He said while just a few years ago the Court would deal with only a handful of criminal trials each year, now there are over 80 trials for the most serious of offences awaiting hearing.
He said this is the inevitable consequence of the restoration of law and order and the rejuvenation of the criminal justice system since the RAMSI intervention.
However, the chief justice said despite this, no one believes that the delays being experienced are acceptable.
He said every case is now being reviewed to ensure that each is concluded as quickly as possible.
The office of the High Court says that of the 12 prisoners who have protested about delays, six are involved in cases where judgment is due within the next five weeks; four are listed for 16th March 2007 to fix a trial date; and
two are already serving lengthy prison sentences on unrelated convictions. |
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| TURKEY AMBASSADOR PRESENTS LETTER OF CREDENCE |
Department of Prime Minister and cabinet
27/02/07
By Alfred Maesulia
Governor General of Solomon Islands Sir Nathaniel Waena today received the Letter of Credence from the Turkish Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleniopotentiary to Solomon Islands His Excellency Mr. Nazif Murat Ersavci.
Sir Waena thanked Mr. Ersavci for his country’s long relations with Solomon Islands.
“On this note the Solomon Islands Governor General said: “We have come a long way and this journey speaks volumes about the cordiality of our relations which we share and which we must explore more fully the potential opportunities for exchanges and engagements, between our two peoples.
“Your Excellency, similar to your country’s foreign policy principle of ‘Peace at Home, Peace in the world’, the Solomon Islands’ foreign policy principle is ‘Friend to all and enemy to none’,” His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena said.
In response His Excellency Ersavci said his country was strongly looking at giving assistance to sports in Solomon Islands.
The Ambassador also revealed that Turkey would soon establish an Honorary Consulate in Honiara.
He said a trade talks which would be held later this year in Istanbul, Turkey, should be attended by representative from the business sector in Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands established formal relations with the Republic of Turkey in March 1979.
By Alfred Maesulia at 26 Feb 2007 - 17:04 |
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| PM QUESTIONED ALLEGED ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION |
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
27/02/07
Deli Oso/PM Press Secretary
Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has questioned the investigative process which led to the withdrawing of charges against an Australian man in relation to an alleged assassination attempt.
Bill Johnson, 61, was charged last month with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit a felony against the Prime Minister. The charges were withdrawn last week in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who submitted that statements made by the principal police witnesses were “inconsistent”.
In his speech to mark the end of the three-week parliamentary sittings, Mr. Sogavare said initial statements voluntarily made by police which resulted in charges being laid against Mr Johnson had been dramatically altered after Australian-led RAMSI investigators became involved in the case.
The Prime Minister said there had been a deliberate attempt to discredit the original police statements rather than to properly investigate the serious nature of the charges.
Mr Sogavare told parliament that he was aware of rumours and speculation suggesting the charges had been laid in an attempt to bolster his case for the re-arming of the Close Protection Unit, announced last month. He said he totally rejected that speculation.
“Why would I want to do that? Why would anyone want to do that?” he asked.
In a later statement released over the weekend, Mr. Sogavare said that despite the original statements by police being made of their own volition to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, those statements had later been altered and amended to result in the inconsistencies referred to by the DPP.
“These police officers came to us because of their concerns. We didn’t go to them. And we acted accordingly which resulted in the charges being made.
“The alterations to those original statements were a deliberate attempt to discredit the principal police witnesses, rather than to properly investigate the seriousness of the charges.
“Why were those police statements altered on three occasions over as many days and taken out of their original context after RAMSI personnel had taken over the investigation?” Mr. Sogavare asked.
The Prime Minister also used his weekend statement to once again rebuff earlier reports that the Australian government had been implicated in the alleged assassination attempt.
“This was never suggested or intimated at any time. I can only conclude that it was a fanciful misinterpretation made by some sections of the media who became aware of an alleged ‘$50,000 bounty’ which was described as being in Australian dollars,” Mr. Sogavare said.
The Prime Minister said he found it ironic that the Australian Prime Minister had apparently seen fit to publicly deny reports of Australian involvement when no such suggestion had been made in the first place.
By Alfred Maesulia at 26 Feb 2007 |
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| MOTI AFFAIR: MINISTER SACKED BECAUSE OF GOING PUBLIC ABOUT PLANS TO DISBAND MOTI INQUIRY |
The National Online
27/02/07
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
KAVIENG MP Martin Aini was yesterday sacked as Minister for Defence, apparently for going public on the “pressure” that was put on him to disband the Moti inquiry.
A source said Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare sent a letter to Aini advising him that he had been decommissioned as Minister for Defence. Sir Michael has now taken over as acting Defence Minister.
An advise sent out by the Prime Minister’s media adviser Betha Somare read: “I wish to advise all media that the Prime Minister has decommissioned Martin Aini as Minister for Defence.”
A source told The National the Prime Minister had lost confidence in Mr Aini following his public statements about the inquiry that was widely publicised.
“There are certain things you discuss in the National Executive Council or with the Prime Minister that you do not go and divulge to the media,” the source said.
Another PM insider said the Prime Minister was upset that the Defence Minister came out in public revealing what was “a breach of trust” in the Prime Minister.
“The Defence Minister should have said it was in the Government’s interest to disband the inquiry,” the insider said.
This insider dismissed talks that the Pangu Pati may walk out or be sacked from the Coalition Government.
He said the National Alliance party has good working relations with Pangu Pati and the dismissal of Mr Aini would not affect this relationship.
The Prime Minister is understood to have met with Pangu Pati leader Sir Rabbie Namaliu to discuss this issue after the NEC meeting yesterday afternoon.
But Mr Aini was apparently unaware of his removal, and insisted that he was still the Minister for Defence, when contacted at about 5:30pm.
“I have heard that from all media personnel who have been ringing me to verify that with me. But all I know is I am still the Minister for Defence and that the PM told me to ‘wind down the inquiry by today’. If there is any truth in that rumour, all I can say is, I have not been officially notified of that.”
Mr Aini later told The National that at the NEC meeting the Prime Minister had only reprimanded him and warned him that “I am giving you a last chance”.
When asked to verify this last night, media adviser Ms Somare said the Prime Minister’s letter to Mr Aini stands and that Mr Aini had been removed.
Mr Aini revealed to the media last Sunday that he was “pressured” into signing the instrument to disband the inquiry.
He said he played no part in drafting the instrument, and insisted that despite the disbanding of the inquiry, he would implement the recommendations of the inquiry.
With his removal, the final report and recommendation would be delivered to the Prime Minister. |
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| MOTI AFFAIR: REPORT IMPLICATES PNG PRIME MINISTER IN MOTI SECRET FLIGHT |
SIBConline news
16:37 hrs
26/02/2007
In Papua New Guinea, lawyers have told the Defence Board of Inquiry that Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare gave the verbal order for Julian Moti to be transported out of the country October 10 last year.
In reading out their final submission to the inquiry board, senior counsel John Kawi said Sir Michael should be investigated and charged for breaching international and PNG laws in giving the orders, which led to the aiding and abetting a wanted alleged “child sex molester” and fugitive Julian Moti who also absconded PNG bail laws.
Mr Kawi said Joseph Assaigo’s evidence that the direction to get rid of Moti from PNG came from Sir Michael is true and should be accepted by the Inquiry.
Mr Kawi urged the board of inquiry to pay little attention to the many denials by the Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament last November, his statements in the media and his affidavit last Thursday, all saying he did not sanction the flight.
Mr Kawi said his submission was based on all evidences brought before the inquiry, particularly, the second diplomatic note from the Solomon Islands prime minister requesting the Prime Minister of PNG and its Government to ensure safe passage of their attorney-general designate, Julian Moti.
Mr Kawi said the Solomon Islands government, also in its diplomatic note, requested the PNG Government to direct the Public Prosecutor to immediately withdraw and discontinue the pending court case against Moti.
To facilitate Moti’s safe passage, two senior government officials Robson Tanabose and Chris Hapa were sent to PNG.
It was confirmed to the inquiry that there had been a meeting of these officials within the PM’s office. |
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| AUSTRALIAN LEAVES SOLOMON ISLANDS VOLUNTARILY |
SIBConline news
16:39 hrs
26/02/2007
Director of Immigration Jeffery Deve has told SIBC News that 61 year old Bill Johnson has voluntarily left the country yesterday.
Mr Deve says Mr Johnson decided to have Immigration authorities sent him to Australia as opposed to a deportation order.
Mr Deve says his department only facilitated the process of sending him back to Australia.
He says Mr Johnson himself realised that he had been residing illegally in the country, and when put to him that he should be deported, he agreed to have him sent back.
The Immigration director says Mr Johnson failed to renew his permit to reside in the country.
Mr Deve says Mr Johnson had consented to spend a night in the custody of police before being put on a plane to Australia yesterday afternoon.
He says Mr Johnson is also prohibited from re-entering the country.
The Australian was accused in Honiara recently of plotting to assassinate Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Meanwhile, the Honiara lawyer who represented Mr Johnson in the murder plot charges, Patrick Lavery says he was not aware of the action to send his client back to Australia.
Speaking to SIBC News from Gizo, Mr Lavery says he only knew about it at lunch time today.
Mr Lavery says he did not know that Mr Johnson was residing illegally in the country and he was not instructed on the matter because it is a different matter from the charges for which he represented Mr Johnson.
SIBC also understands that officers who investigated the alleged assassination plot by Mr Johnson on the Prime Minister, had not instructed the office of the director of Public Prosecution that he was residing illegally.
He was arrested last month on charges of conspiracy to murder Mr Sogavare and plotting to commit a felony.
However, the charges were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions last week, because of what were described as "inconsistencies" in two police witness statements.
Bill Johnson is married to a Solomon Islander with four children.
He has lived in the country since 1989. |
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| OPPOSITION MPS CONDEMN THREATS ON THEIR LIVES |
SIBConline news
18:45 hrs
26/02/2007
Three Opposition and one Independent members of Parliament from Malaita have condemned death threats made against them.
Opposition leader and MP for Central Kwara'ae, Fred Fono, Independent leader and MP for North Malaita, Enele Kwanairara; East Are Are MP, Edward Huniehu and Small Malaita MP William Haomae have all received death threats from unidentified people believed to be living in Honiara.
A statement from the MPs says the people who have issued the death threats have also sworn at them and their families.
They says the behaviour is not in line with Christian principles, traditional and cultural norms.
The MPs say if national leaders are involved in the threats they should consider their integrity and lest they forget, the respect people have for them.
They believe people who were against the planned no confidence motion by the Opposition had made the death threats and swearing.
The four MPs say threats on national leaders are disrespectful, unwarranted and uncalled for because they should be allowed to discuss national issues freely both inside and outside Parliament. |
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| RAMSI Special Coordinator surprised by “Black Box” claims |
Ramsi.com
Submitted Mon, 26/02/2007 - 5:57pm
Monday 26 February 2007
RAMSI Special Coordinator, Tim George today expressed surprise at the Prime Minister’s decision to once again raise allegations that mysterious black boxes were lifted out of the sea in front of the RAMSI headquarters.
Mr George said he was puzzled that the Prime Minister should repeat this claim to the national parliament last Friday as he had already personally provided the Prime Minister with formal written advice on the allegations in January of this year.
In his letter of 18 January Mr George re-assured the Prime Minister that there was nothing sinister in the activities referred to which had been part of a joint sea and air rescue exercise between the SIG authorities and RAMSI. |
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| Monday, February 26, 2007 |
| MOTI AFFAIR: Inquiry counsel agrees PM behind Moti flight |
The National Online News
26/02/07
By JULIA DAIA BORE
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare gave the verbal order for Julian Moti to be transported out of PNG on Oct 10 last year, lawyers told the Defence Board of Inquiry last Friday.
In reading out their final submission to the inquiry board, senior counsel John Kawi said Sir Michael should be investigated and charged for breaching international and PNG laws in giving the orders, which led to the aiding and abetting a wanted alleged “child sex molester” and fugitive Julian Moti who also absconded PNG bail laws.
Mr Kawi said: “Joseph Assaigo’s evidence that the direction to get rid of Moti from PNG came from the Sir Michael, in our submission, is true and should be accepted by the Inquiry.”
Mr Kawi urged the board of inquiry to pay little attention to the many denials by the Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament last November, his statements in the media and his affidavit last Thursday, all saying he did not sanction the flight.
Mr Kawi said his submission was based on all evidences brought before the inquiry, particularly, the second diplomatic note that came from the Solomon Islands prime minister requesting the Prime Minister of PNG and its Government to ensure safe passage of their attorney-general designate, Julian Moti.
Mr Kawi said the Solomon Islands government, also in its diplomatic note, requested the PNG Government to direct the Public Prosecutor to immediately withdraw and discontinue the pending court case against Moti.
To facilitate Moti’s safe passage, two senior Government officials were sent to PNG, named Robson Tanabose and Chris Hapa (lawyer).
It was confirmed to the inquiry that there had been a meeting of these officials within the PM’s office.
“Mr Assaigo’s initial evidence that he saw these Solomon Islanders on the Morning of Oct 9, 2006 must therefore have some merit and therefore, is true and consistent with the requests contained in the diplomatic notes,” Mr Kawi submitted.
He also recommended that there be a bigger commission of inquiry into the entire Defence Force Department to look into its administration and its accounting systems where evidence shows gross misuse of funds.
The inquiry counsel has recommended for all the parties involved in the “Motigate” affair to be further investigated and charged with serious breaches of both international CAA and PNG laws. They should also be charged for perjury, conspiring to defeat justice and conspiracy to affect an unlawful purpose, and for contempt of court. |
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| NAURU FINDING IT HARD TO STRIKE AVIATION DEAL WITH FIJI AND SOLOMON ISLANDS |
Islandsbusiness,
26/02/07
Samisoni Pareti
Plans by Nauru to form a regional airline suffered two setbacks last month with one of its proposed shareholder declining to offer its 100% commitment. In addition, its desire to introduce a truly island hopping route by linking six destinations in one flight had been thwarted by Fijian authorities who are still keen to protect its pretty successful operator, Air Pacific.
“We haven’t formed a position on whether to support the formation of Our Airline and we are not going to give it our 100% commitment,” Nairie Alamu, permanent secretary for Civil Aviation of Solomon Islands, told Islands Business last month.
Instead, Alamu said the Manasseh Sogavare administration had rallied behind its international carrier, Solomon Airlines.
“Of course, we would continue to support Solomon Airlines because it is our national airline,” said Alamu.
She also questioned the role of the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum in initiating meetings on plans by the Nauruan Government to offer what used to be Air Nauru, a sub-regional carrier and now flying a new Boeing 737 under the Our Airline banner.
Purchased for it by Taiwan after the sole Air Nauru 737 aircraft was seized by its American creditors last year, Nauru is proposing that the six allies of Taiwan in the Pacific each take equal shares in the airline.
“Obviously there is some pride associated in having your own national airline,” Dr Kieren Keke, Nauru’s transport minister, had told Islands Business in December.
“We in Nauru had made the conscientious decision to move away from that. After independence, it was okay to have your own airline. But now that you have developed sufficient maturity, you begin to realise that real independence is economic independence.
“Having your own airline that is losing millions of dollars is not a good symbol of real independence.”
Keke referred to an Asian Development Bank report on aviation in the Pacific which said in part that it was unviable for the Solomon Islands Government to keep using public money to prop up Solomon Airlines as it was losing millions of dollars annually.
But Alamu made it very clear that Honiara was not going to abandon its national carrier to Nauru’s proposed Our Airline. She and her government were also acutely mindful that Nauru’s idea of a sub-regional airliner would need the Brisbane/Honiara route if it is to become viable. After Solomon Islands, loading in the other routes of Nauru and Marshall Islands are deemed too small to at least make Our Airline break even and steer it away from the debilitating losses that plagued its forerunner.
Keke and his government in Yaren are also discovering very quickly the obstacles that stand in the way of an earlier attempt to make Air Pacific a truly regional operator. Lack of commitment like that being displayed by Honiara and the protection of national interests as shown by Suva are limiting Our Airline from fully spreading its wings.
In agreeing to sign an air services agreement with Nauru last month, Fiji declined to offer more than one intermediate point of travel. This means that Our Airline can factor in only one stopover when flying between Yaren and Nadi. So its intention to make a Brisbane/Honiara/Nauru/Tarawa/Majuro/Nadi service has been thwarted.
“No, the agreement doesn’t allow Nauru to make a stopover in Kiribati,” explained Joeli Koroikata, acting director of civil aviation in Fiji.
“The ASA (air services agreement) we signed allowed for only one intermediate point and they have designated Majuro not Tarawa.”
Koroikata said an existing ASA between Fiji and Kiribati prevented the Fiji Government from agreeing to a Tarawa stopover for Our Airlines.
“Air Pacific is already servicing the Nadi/Tarawa route, in fact it’s doing a two-weekly service there. That route will become unviable the moment we introduce another operator.
“As the designated national carrier for Fiji, we are duty-bound to protect the interests of Air Pacific.”
In a very brief electronic mail, Geoff Bowmaker, chief executive of Our Airlines, confirmed Koroikata’s explanation. “Yes, we can fly Nauru- Majuro-Nadi or Nauru- Nadi direct if we want,” Bowmaker’s email says.
“We have not decided on a start date as yet, so it’s probably a bit early for a story on this.”
Monitoring these developments has been the Suva-based secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum which initiated a meeting of potential Our Airline owners in the Marshall Islands last December.
Patricia Sachs, the development/cooperation adviser at the secretariat, said the organisation’s involvement was in line with the wishes of Pacific leaders who are members of the Small Islands States (SIS) grouping within the Forum.
“We’ve been tasked by our leaders,” said Sachs.
“It was raised at the SIS meeting, a grouping of smaller islands states, during the last Forum (October 2006) meeting.
“The whole issue of transport was raised by them of which this was a part, and the other side of it was shipping. But it was more shipping in terms of being able to carry goods which we are also working on in terms of a feeder service study being done.
“A lot of this has come out of the Pacific Plan. You will realise that in the Port Moresby Forum (2005), we were tasked with establishing a special unit for small islands states, which we did last year.
“But our role in air services is really to facilitate, get the cost/benefit study done and so on.”
Sachs clarified the Majuro meeting last December did not endorse the Our Airline model as proposed by Nauru.
Instead, representatives of the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu decided to form a taskforce to oversee a cost/benefit study of a sub-regional airline, she said
“We had agreed that we would further explore this whole concept of a sub-regional airline.
“Whether it will be under the Our Airline banner or not, was the question that would come up later on down the track.
“So we had agreed that we would establish a taskforce and part of the taskforce’s responsibilities would be to look at what sort of animal this would be, what a sub-regional airline would look like.
“And in order to do that, we agreed that we would use the Our Airline proposal as a basis for doing a cost/benefit analysis.
“So rather than starting from scratch, we’ve already been given one model which is the Our Airline concept, or the proposal from Our Airline.
“We would look at that and also explore other options. Once the cost/benefit analysis has been done, then the taskforce would meet again and discuss, analyse what comes out of this analysis.
“Part of the terms of reference for the cost/benefit analysis is looking at the economics of setting up an airline, looking at some of the modalities that could be used, whether we do a private/public sector partnership sort of arrangement, whether we do public/public arrangement or whether we do a government arrangement.
“It all depends on what this study will come up with. So in essence we came away from Majuro with an agreement to further explore the concept but not necessarily adopt the Our Airline proposal. As you would appreciate, there would have been some reservations, and that’s normal. It’s all part of the negotiations.
“So what we are proposing is that in the next meeting, once we have done the cost/benefit and we are probably looking at the next meeting around May/June, we have to consider the options and then propose to our leaders which will be the most viable option,” Sachs said. |
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| MOTI AFFAIR: Pressured Defence Minister disbands Moti inquiry probe |
Islandsbusiness newss,
26/02/07
Mr Aini told reporters yesterday he was called out of the chamber of Parliament at around 10am and made to sign the instrument in front of Sir Michael and his lawyer Sumasi Singin.
The National/ Pacnews
Mon, 26 Feb 2007
PORT MORESBY, PNG ---- Papua New Guinea (PNG) Defence Minister Martin Aini was “pressured” to disband the Defence Board of Inquiry last Friday (23 Feb).
The National reports that on the same day, the inquiry’s lawyers recommended in their final submission that Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare should be charged for breaching PNG and international laws in ordering the removal of fugitive Julian Moti from PNG last October.
Mr Aini told reporters yesterday he was called out of the chamber of Parliament at around 10am and made to sign the instrument in front of Sir Michael and his lawyer Sumasi Singin.
He said he signed the instrument in the corridor in front of the Speaker’s Office, which he described as “a funny place’ to sign the instrument. When asked by reporters if he was forced to sign the instrument, he said: “Maybe not forced, but pressured.”
He said: “I had the prime minister standing there next to me, requesting me to sign the instrument. I had no other option,” he said, when asked if the presence of the prime minister was viewed as pressure for him to sign.
Sources told The National Mr Aini was almost sacked last Thursday night when cabinet waited for him to turn up at a midnight meeting to discuss the issue. He received a call the next day from the prime minister’s office telling him an instrument was being prepared for him to sign.
Mr Aini told reporters he was not involved in the formulation of the instrument, but was only asked to sign it. He said he was concerned about the timing of the move, and read through the instrument before signing it, satisfied that it bore the date Monday, Feb 28, which should read Wednesday, when the inquiry would formally end.
He said as far as he was concerned, the instrument he signed allowed him to complete the process of the inquiry, and he would implement the recommendations of the inquiry.
“Whatever the recommendations, I should be given time to implement them, to complete the whole process.”
Mr Aini said he did not want to sign an instrument which had the words “disband” because he did not want the inquiry disbanded and because he wanted to implement their findings.
He said the instrument he signed allowed the inquiry to complete its report and submit it to him. The signed instrument was not given to the minister or the board of inquiry.
Mr Aini said it was still with Mr Singin. He also admitted that there was another instrument (document) prepared earlier, which he had heard about but had not sighted.
Sources told The National that an earlier instrument was prepared seeking the minister to disband the membership of the inquiry but it is understood that the minister had refused to sign.
The move to get the minister to sign the instrument followed a failed attempt last week by lawyers representing the prime minister to get the inquiry to disband itself.
Meanwhile, when the inquiry board chairman Justice Gibbs Salika when contacted yesterday, said he, as chairman of the inquiry board, had yet to be served the legal instrument. He said until then, the inquiry was operating as normal, to complete its findings. |
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| OPPOSITION LEADER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT |
SIBConline news
12:29 hrs
26/02/2007
Parliamentary Opposition leader, Fred Fono, has urged the government to set up a mechanism to administer the use Rural Constituency Development Fund in the country.
He says there must be a clear guideline that makes provisions for things such as health and education services and infrastructure.
Mr Fono says if such a mechanism is in place, at least people in the country will see tangible benefits from the millions of dollars allocated for rural areas.
He says the government had spent millions of dollars to the rural areas through the Rural Constituency Development Fund in the past.
"My finding, Mr Speaker Sir, over the 18 years since the RCDF (Rural Constituency Development Fund) was implemented since 1989, up until the end of last year. Each Constituency should have received, five-point-2 million dollars since the RCDF was introduced 18 years ago."
The Opposition leader suggests that government set up a mechanism some funds can be administered through the Treasury so that people would bother their members of Parliament about it. |
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| COURT TRIAL ON SHOOTING OF AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS STARTS |
SIBConline news
12:31 hrs
26/02/2007
The High Court trial of the 2004 shooting attacks against RAMSI resumes today.
The three men charged are: Barnabas Basiagalo, Phillip Kwaimani, John Ross and James Tatau.
They have been accused of shooting a RAMSI vehicle in Honiara in October of 2004 and are facing charges of attempted murder.
In the shooting, a RAMSI police officer from Nauru received minor wounds after he and his female Tongan colleague were shot during a vehicle patrol.
James Tatau and a fourth person, John Henry Ome are also facing a murder charge for the shooting of RAMSI officer, Australian Adam Dunning.
Mr Dunning was shot in December of 2004 while on vehicle patrol in Honiara. |
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| SPORTS: BA DRAWS WITH AS TEMANAVA |
INDRA SINGH
Monday, February 26, 2007
+ Enlarge this image
Robert Wise and Kini Viliame of the Ba team at Nadi Airport yesterday.
BA soccer officials have heaped praises on the performance of their players after the tough 1-1 draw against AS Temanava of Tahiti on Saturday night in Papeete
The champion Fiji district had to endure a tough encounter before coming away with a 1-1 draw, a result which has seen the side being the leader in Group B of the O League after having earlier beating Marist FC 2-0.
President Rishi Kumar said the host which had six New Caledonia internationals along with a couple of French players played an exceptional brand of football.
"They were skillful and fast and play physical soccer and the passion and competition there is very strong," Kumar said.
"I am proud of the way my players matched them and came away with the draw."
He said the side didn't have the services of Kiniviliame Naika who was ruled out through injury and striker Osea Vakatalesau had to be replaced early after suffering from a knock on the ankle.
"AS Temanava have professional players who used a lot of professional fouls but our players stood up to them," he said.
Skipper Roneel Kumar was on target for the side in the 28th minute and Ba looked on course for its second consecutive victory.
AS Temanava goalkeeper Franck Revel spilled a Ba freekick and Kumar bundled the ball into the back of the net.
AS Temanava rallied creating several chances but were denied by good goalkeeping from Ba goal keeper Laisenia Tuba in a fascinating and dramatic encounter that provided end to end entertainment in front of a parochial home crowd of just over 1500.
Oceania Football reported that Kumar's goal appeared to give Ba ample breathing space in a fast and furious first half as AS Temanava struggling to hold onto a playoff spot in their domestic championship turned in a spirited display despite being unable to penetrate Ba's defence.
With the match flowing from end to end at an unremitting pace and in stifling conditions both teams engaged in a series of raw boned tackles that saw New Zealand referee Peter O'Leary issue a flurry of yellow and red cards that set up a dramatic finish to the evening.
AS Temanava were rewarded for their dogged second half performance with a penalty with just 12 minutes remaining which Jean Francois Kabeu duly converted.
However, the joy was short-lived when substitute Rudolphe Toromona flew into a reckless challenge and was red carded in the 87th minute.
With the home side reduced to 10 men and only having just leveled the match Toromona's red card set up a tense finish as Ba committed players forward seeking to win the game in its dying moments.
However, Ba were soon seeing a red card of their own when Shalen Lal was ordered off after committing his second bookable offence after 94 minutes.
Ba now has control of O-League Group B with four points out of a possible six in both their away fixtures. AS Temanava sit in second spot with one point while Marist FC are third and yet to register a point.
Ba will host Marist FC and AS Temanava at home next month.
Auckland City tops Group A with seven points, having scored eight goals and conceded two. Waitakere United is in second place with four points from two games, scoring eight goals, conceding three with two games to play. AS Mont Dore are bottom of the table having lost all three matches.
The winner of the two pools will play-off in the final.
AS Temanava: Franck Revel, Georges Watton, Daly Watha, Maheanuu Arapari, Weliver Neti Clark (Rudolphe Toromona), Jean Francois Kabeu, Roberto Poiroi (Tevaihau Tehuritaua), Rene Saloa (Heirani Tvereo), Pierre Kugogne, Ael Luc Kugogne, Ionatana Aldo Vahine.
Ba:LaiseniaTuba, Shalen Lal, Roneel Kumar, Jone Vesikula, Keni Doidoi (Ronald Lawrence), Josaia Bukalidi, Robert Wise, Finau Peni, Osea Vakatalesau (Tuimasi Manuca), Malakai Tiwa, Malakai Kenehewe. |
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| MOTI AFFAIR: Moti claims enemies are out to get him |
Michael McKenna, Honiara
February 26, 2007
FUGITIVE Australian lawyer Julian Moti is adamant that he is the victim. The suspended Solomon Islands attorney-general, wanted in Australia on child sex charges, believes he is a casualty of a conspiracy of extortionists, ASIO and legal adversaries he once destroyed in court.
A virtual prisoner in a dark and bare motel room in the Solomons capital of Honiara, Moti has been busy preparing a typically controversial defence since his escape from Papua New Guinea to the Solomons in October created a diplomatic crisis in the Pacific.
Australian Federal Police had him arrested in the PNG capital of Port Moresby, in transit to Honiara to be sworn in as attorney-general, after resurrecting allegations that he had raped a 13-year-old girl in Vanuatu in 1997.
Moti jumped bail, fled to the Solomons aboard a PNG military plane, and has since been protected by his close friend, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who has angered Australia and many of his countrymen by refusing to extradite the fugitive.
The Fijian-born and Sydney-educated lawyer is alleged by the AFP to have bribed a Vanuatu magistrate, who threw out the original child sex charges in 1999.
In an exclusive interview with The Australian, Moti admits his Port Vila law firm later offered the magistrate a job and paid for him to study in Sydney - but "without my knowledge".
A confidential out-of-court settlement with the girl's father in 2000 was not an admission of guilt but the only way "I could get on with my life" after he was allegedly blackmailed when a business deal went bad.
"I am not a child molester - I was exonerated by the courts," he said. "This is a private extortion which has become a public extortion with a wider political purpose," Moti said.
"The AFP are coaching the witnesses, filling in holes, fixing the contradictions with inventions and outrageous allegations.
"How am I to defend myself? Don't police have an obligation to an expeditious prosecution? I have 15 to 20 witnesses, one has already died, but can you remember what you did almost 10 years ago?"
In the next few weeks, Solomons ministers will meet officials in Canberra to negotiate Moti's possible surrender. But the Australian authorities have already rejected his unwavering demands for bail and his passport, confiscated in PNG, so he can return to serve as attorney-general while he awaits a trial.
The AFP has confirmed that the complainant, now 22, and her family have been flown to Brisbane on two occasions, in November and December, to give additional statements to those taken in Port Vila in June last year. The girl and her mother, who made the original statements in 1997, have been joined by a brother and a housemaid who worked in Moti's palatial oceanfront home.
In the later statements, the brother, who was 16 at the time of the alleged offences, backs his sister in accusing Moti of forcing the pair to live with him for six months under a threat that he would destroy the family business, have their Tahitian-born father deported and the children sent to an orphanage. It was alleged the children's parents were aware of the relationship but did nothing to stop it.
"They visited, but never lived with me," Moti says.
"How could they, when I was living in an open house on millionaire's row? There were plenty of expat neighbours."
It will be alleged Moti plied the claimant's brother with alcohol. The brother will allege the sounds coming out of the main bedroom in the Moti home were like a "porno movie" - a claim Moti says is "preposterous".
It is on the public record that many of the statements taken by Vanuatu police contain contradictory statements. Details and dates are different. At one stage, the girl withdrew her allegations. At other times, she claimed she was in love with the diminutive and softly spoken lawyer.
In the provisional extradition warrant to PNG, under the Child Sex Tourism Act that targets Australian pedophiles overseas, it is alleged Moti had sex with the girl, sometimes twice a day, and sodomised her for punishment.
It also alleged that Moti, a practising Catholic, got the girl pregnant and paid for her to go to Noumea for an abortion. He admits to having paid for the trip, but denies being the father. "The mother came to me for help, she was desperate and told me who the father was," he says.
Moti, 41, says the new AFP charges are politically motivated because he is a dissident, whose sometimes-invisible hand has been felt in many of the region's domestic and diplomatic troubles.
There is an ASIO file, he has been informed, which is marked "constitutional coup expert" and details his continuing influence, active even last week, in power plays across the Pacific.
Moti says the new investigation was launched when he was first proposed as Solomons attorney-general in late 2004. The AFP dismisses the claim, saying it was waiting for the finalisation of long-running appeals and cost disputes around the Moti case. But there is no doubt the AFP pursuit picked up pace after Sogavare announced he was giving Moti the attorney-general's job in August last year. Warrants for the arrest of Moti, who was teaching law in India, followed within weeks of his appointment, and he was arrested in late September.
Months earlier, Moti - an adjunct professor at Bond University on the Gold Coast until last year - advised Sogavare on a proposed inquiry into the April riots in the Pacific nation.
It was seen by Canberra as an attempted whitewash to clear two Government MPs - confidants of Sogavare - who were charged as ringleaders in the violence that destroyed Honiara's Chinatown district and injured 28 police, some Australian.
But while Solomons ministers will soon meet Australian officials over his possible surrender, Moti appears to be working from his motel room to ensure it never happens. He was behind the scuttling, on a legal technicality, of a proposed no-confidence motion against Sogavare last week.
A former client, Sogavare has been increasingly under attack over his support for Moti.
Sogavare's refusal to extradite Moti is a major stumbling block to improving relations with Canberra. Since taking office in the wake of the riots, Sogavare has adopted an aggressive stance towards Australia, which leads the regional assistance mission deployed to rebuild the country after the 2003 ethnic violence.
If the manoeuvring and hints of "other avenues" to avoid being sent to Australia fail, Moti's trial in Brisbane is set to be explosive and ugly.
Moti says it "saddens me" that his lawyers will have to launch a "vigorous" offensive against the family of the alleged rape victim. There will be allegations the father used his daughters' beauty to extort men.
Moti first came into contact with his accuser's family when the girl's father showed up at his law firm after he had lost his job and was facing deportation. Moti says he felt "sorry for him", helped him with his visa, lent him money, gave the family food and agreed to act as a nominee in a venture with the father.
Moti says he agreed to help the father with his new business, but in late 1997 refused to act as a guarantor to possible overseas buyers. "He got mad, saying I had promised to help him, but not to that extent," he says.
After that, Moti claims, the man made threats through the Australian's partner in his firm, Dudley Aru, now attorney-general of Vanuatu. "He said if I didn't do certain things, he would blackmail me and there was nothing I could do about it."
The father allegedly wanted $US35,000 and Moti's share in the business in exchange for the girl's silence.
Moti refused. And in December 1997, according to court documents, the girl made allegations to the Vanuatu ombudsman, whose existence Moti had recently challenged in court.
Moti was arrested in March 1998. He faced a magistrates court and was committed to trial, but the decision was overturned on appeal and sent back to a second magistrate.
In late 1998, Moti launched an unsuccessful private prosecution against the father in which it was revealed he offered to procure the visa if the charges were dropped. But in 1999, the case went before another magistrate, who Australian police allege was bribed, and he was cleared.
But the magistrate, Bruce Kalotrip, told The Australian he was not bribed and that there was no evidence to commit for trial. |
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| PARLIAMENT DEFEATS OPPOSITION MOTION ON BANNED POLICE COMMISSIONER |
SIBConline news
18:12 hrs
25/02/2007
Government on Friday unanimously defeated an opposition motion seeking Parliament to establish a Special Select Committee to inquire into the expulsion of former Police Commissioner, Australian Shane Castles.
Small Malaita MP, William Haomae tabled the motion.
The Government Communication Unit says the committee would report directly to parliament, the findings of their investigations.
The committee would also be empowered to summon people to give evidence, ask ministers to explain their actions and present their final report by the end of April.
But deputy Prime Minister, Toswell Kaua said Mr Castles has already resigned from the Australian Federal Police last week and it was waste of precious parliamentary time to debate his sacking.
Minister of Provincial Government, Japhet Waipora said debating the Castles affair did not benefit Solomon Islanders.
Government backbencher and MP for East Honiara, Charles Dausabea said Mr Castles leadership failed miserably to handle the April riots.
The motion was defeated when put to vote. |
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| SPEAKER REMINDS PARLIAMENTARIANS OF QUALITY LEADERSHIP |
SIBConline news
18:14 hrs
25/02/2007
Speaker to the national Parliament has reminded Parliamentarians of their duty to govern Solomon Islands.
In a speech to wind up debate on the motion of sine die last Friday, Speaker Sir Peter Kenilorea had urged members of Parliament to make sure the democratic rights of Solomon Islanders are protected.
Sir Peter said democracy is always a risky exercise, saying it is a never ending piece of business.
He said democracy reflects human imperfection on how things can go wrong even with good leaders in charge.
Sir Peter said power goes with the office and can at times be a competing influence.
He said it is only natural to expect problems in governance which is administered over human beings.
But Sir Peter said as leaders, MPs need to control the government and to control themselves.
Sir Peter told Parliamentarians that they are obliged to represent the wishes and aspirations of the people they represent. |
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| CHAIRMAN OF PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE URGES PRIME MINISTER SOGAVARE TO MEET PETER HOOTON |
SIBConline news
18:17 hrs
25/02/2007
Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, Temotu Pele MP Martin Maga has urged the government to allow the Australian High Commissioner designate to present his letters of Commission to the Prime Minister.
Mr Maga was speaking in Parliament on the motion of sine die last Friday.
He said the country's representative in Canberra Victor Ngele had already presented his letters of commission to Canberra.
Mr Maga said he saw no reason as to why government continues to delay reciprocating the goodwill Canberra has shown.
Mr Maga called on the government to respect article Four of the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations which Solomon Islands had signed.
He said this would contribute a lot to the normalisation of Solomon Islands diplomatic relations with Australia.
"The conduct of diplomatic relations as is the practice since the Vienna convention came into force is based on reciprocation. I see no reason as to why the government has to delay the presentation of the letters of commission by the Australian High Commissioner designate to Solomon Islands to the Prime Minister. I am demanding my esteem Prime Minister of Solomon islands, the man I have always accorded great respect and honour to please accept his excellency Mr Hooton to present his letters of commission to your good-self, before you leave for Australia to meet your counterpart." |
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| Saturday, February 24, 2007 |
| POLITICS: Documents expose rivals' secret plan to rip PM down |
PFnet News
By George Herming
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says rival lawmakers are using dirty tactics to rip off power from his government.
Mr Sogavare made the assertion as he calls on the opposition bench to cooperate with the government to implement policies that care more about the welfare of Solomon Islands citizens.
He said two unnamed prominent Opposition leaders requested jailed former Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) members to make false statements alleging his involvement in the 2000 coup.
The documents which ended up before the eyes of the Prime Minister claimed he wore a mask and ordered militants to raid the Rove police armory.
“I have actually seen affidavits signed under oath alleging the member for east Choiseul wearing a mask and directed the raid at Rove armory and putting the then Prime Minister under house arrest,” Mr Sogavare said.
He said the Opposition is also putting words in people’s mouths to say the Prime Minister is involved in organizing the April riots.
He said it is purely a ploy to tarnish the image of the Prime Minister when his government works harder to improve the life of Solomon Islanders.
“How can people dare to deliberately lie when claiming they are Christians,” he said. “They should stop going to church because they are no better than heathens.
“This is simply to tarnish the image of the Prime Minister as a criminal,” he said.
The Opposition lost its campaign to topple Mr Sogavare by a failed no-confidence vote today (Friday).
Mr Sogavare advised the rival group to avoid being remote-controlled by alien governments.
“It is very interesting to see people bowing down to the dictates of foreign governments.
“I want to remind those who are bent on pursuing this agenda to grow up and show maturity in leadership,” he said.
The Prime Minister warned that lack of cooperation among national lawmakers places more risk to the countries development efforts.
“If we exercise our leadership role with the desire to cut each other down then we are no better than those who brought the country to its knees during the ethnic crisis.
© Government Communications Unit |
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| POLITICS: CABINET MINISTER RESIGNS |
SIBConline news
18:53 hrs
23/02/2007
The Minister for the Department of Justice and Legal Affairs, Samuel Manetoali has resigned from the government.
The Member of Parliament for Gao/Bugotu, Mr Manetoali he says he submitted his resignation to the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, on Wednesday this week.
The MP says he received an acceptance letter from Sir Nathaniel yesterday afternoon.
"I campaigned under the banner of the Solomon Islands Rural Advancement Party, which Job Duddley Tausinga, is the leader. Job signed last year. During a constituency tour, the people said, your party leader had resigned from the government, what about you. I told them I would consider the matter. After all this time I talked with my Party leader, and made up my mind to resign to join my party leader."
Mr Manetoali says the other reason for his resignation is that he wants to go back a work with his people, especially when big companies have shown interest in investing in his constituency.
Several overseas companies have expressed interest in mining nickel deposits in Isabel, including areas in his constituency. |
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| Friday, February 23, 2007 |
| MOTI AFFAIR: Discard heresay- PM tells inquiry |
The National Online
By JULIA DAIA BORE
THE Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has urged the Defence Board of Inquiry to discard “hearsay” from witnesses about him giving orders for Julian Moti to be flown out secretly last Oct 10.
He described the statement and affidavit by sidelined OSCA director-general Joseph Assaigo as “hearsay of further hearsay evidence”.
Sir Michael said this in his written statement submitted to the Inquiry yesterday, to substitute him appearing personally.
The Prime Minister reiterated in his statement that he had not given the order to anyone to have Moti flown out, and also tendered his statement made to Parliament on the issue last year.
“I have followed its coverage in recent times and have noted reports that Mr Assaigo said that he was told or instructed by my chief of staff, Mr Louma, that he (Mr Louma) got instructions from me to direct Mr Assaigo to have Julian Moti flown out of PNG. I am also advised by my lawyers that Mr Assaigo gave similar evidence at the hearing of this Board.
“In response to this suggestion raised by Mr Assaigo, I have never instructed anyone or any Government officer or my staff, including Mr Louma to arrange to have Julian Moti flown out of PNG using Government resources and facilities.”
He added that the evidence given by Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe, ambassador Barney Rongap, and Mr Louma, showed that they never received instructions from him to have Moti flown out of PNG to the Solomon Islands in a clandestine manner.
“I categorically deny the allegations made by Mr Assaigo.”
The Prime Minister’s affidavit was submitted following his lawyer’s application on Wednesday, attempting to disband the PNGDF Board of Inquiry into the Moti saga on the basis of jurisdiction which was thrown out yesterday.
This application was rejected by the inquiry.
In his ruling Justice Salika said the same issue on jurisdiction had been raised and ruled on the basis that the regulations were not consistent with the higher legislation, the Defence Act.
Justice Salika ruled that the matter on the summons for the PM remained and that the PM must comply with the summons to appear and provide any material evidence. |
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| AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER COMMENTS ON INTERVENTION MISSION |
SIBConline news
12:37 hrs
23/02/2007
Australia's Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson says the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare wants to kill-off the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands RAMSI.
But Radio Australia reports Dr Nelson as saying Mr Sogavare was the only person in Solomon Islands who want to get rid of RAMSI.
He said Prime Minister Sogavare, in wanting to end RAMSI, and have it removed from his country, is doing a great injustice to the people of Solomon Islands itself.
He said it's important that the wishes and desires of the people of Solomon Islands themselves be respected by its Prime Minister.
Dr Nelson said Australia and New Zealand among other Pacific countries, are putting a lot of effort into keeping peace in the Pacific.
The Solomon Islands foreign minister, Patteson Oti, recently called for the Pacific Islands Forum to begin looking at an exit strategy for RAMSI. |
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| REGIONAL NEWS: Fiji nationals remanded in custody |
Fijitimes news
Friday, February 23, 2007
Four Fiji nationals charged with trying to raise an illegal army and carrying out illegal training drills on the PNG autonomous region of Bougainville have appeared in a Buka court and have been remanded in custody.
The men will reappear in Buka District Court on March 13, according to Gorothy Kenneth, Chief of Staff of the PNG Post Courier.
However, it has emerged that a Fijian priest had played a vital role in getting the men safely from Tonu, after their lives were considered to be in danger from angry locals.
Two Fiji diplomats, second secretary, Daniel Johnson and officer Kaveri Tiko were reportedly in Buka assessing the situation.
The four men, Jolame Gukirewa, Manasa Dumuloto, Kalivati Dau and Aliki Moroca, had been part of a group of Fijians lured to Tonu in Southern Bougainville by pyramid scheme conman, Noah Musingku.
Another Fiji national, Maloni Namoli remains in Tonu and is reportedly concerned for his safety.
The four in custody are likely to be also charged by PNG Foreign Affairs with offences related to breaches of the immigration laws of the autonomous region, said Ms Kenneth.
Fiji High Commissioner to PNG Ratu Isoa Tikoca could not be reached for a comment.
PNG High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Eafeare said he was unaware of how long the men would remain in custody in Buka and what further charges were expected to be laid against them apart from those to be brought against them by immigration authorities there.
However, Eafeare said special mention should be made to a Fijian priest, named Father Sikau, who worked with the four men for some time arranging their safe evacuation from Tonu.
"I understand the four have appealed to their remaining colleague to come out by telling him that they were being treated humanly and that he should not worry about traveling the same route they had taken to come out,"he said. Mr Eafeare said the PNG National Government along with the Autonomous Bougainville government got the men out after exhausting all available avenues.
"Despite the fact one Fijian remains, the removal of the Fijians from Tonu is a major step forward, it is also encouraging that they traveled by road through Panguna and were not questioned at the Morgan Road Block, the last remaining road block in Bougainville. Hopefully the fifth Fijian can be convinced to leave Tonu and join the others in Buka,"he said. He said Musingku remains at Tonu heavily guarded by 30-armed men and is not aware of his intentions now that the four Fijian national have left the camp.
He said the information from the four would help the national government and the ABG understand the situation in Tonu and help arrest Musingku. |
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| MAN FOUND DEAD AT HONIARA CASINO PREMISES |
SIBConline news
17:05 hrs
22/02/2007
Honiara Police and the Forensic Officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in a kitchen room at the Honiara Casino.
The body of the man was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday 20 February 2007.
Police Media Office says the deceased was a dealer at the casino and he was taking a rest in the kitchen room after the nights work.
A security officer found the dead body after day break.
The Media Office says Forensic officers did not find any signs of physical injury on the body.
In another police story, a Honiara man has been charged with receiving stolen property after 1,600 bags of stolen copra were found in his warehouse.
Detectives from Honiara Central executed a search warrant at the Point Cruz address.
Police Media Office says officers were investigating allegations that copra belonging to the RIPEL Company in the Russel Islands was being illegally harvested and sent to Honiara for distribution.
Police seized the copra and the man was charged with two counts of receiving stolen property. |
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| NO CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST PRIME MINISTER OFF |
SIBConline news
17:07 hrs
22/02/2007
Speaker of Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea has turned down the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogovare.
Sir Peter says legal advice from the Attorney General Office is that the motion has not met the seven clear days notice as required by parliamentary standing orders.
He has already notified members of Parliament that the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Sogovare will not be tabled tomorrow.
The notice of the no confidence motion was given by the Member of Parliament for Small Malaita, William Haomae of the Opposition Bench.
Meanwhile, Western province premier Alex Lokopio says a motion of no confidence in the government would have been another test of democracy and a demand on quality leadership.
Mr Lokopio says the planned motion of no confidence, which would not now be tabled tomorrow, would have also been a test on the balance of power in the present government.
He says Western province only has one MP in the Sogavare cabinet and this does not reflect well on government's balance of power.
The Western premier urges the Prime Minister to reconsider the composition of his Cabinet.
Mr Lokopio urges all Western province M-Ps to take a proactive leadership approach to ensure the province is given a fair share in the 2007 budget. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:20 AM |
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| PRIME MINISTER ACCUSE OPPOSITION |
SIBConline news
17:06 hrs
22/02/2007
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called on the National Parliamentary Opposition Group to get out of its ‘donor dependency’ mentality and help towards the country’s financing of its own budget.
Mr Sogavare made the call in Parliament yesterday when he moved the motion to end the current sitting of parliament.
He said the Opposition was reeling in the thought that without donor- support, the bottom up approach to development policy of the government would remain a wishful thinking.
He warned the Opposition that if Solomon Islands did not start taking up the predominant role in financing its own budget, it would never stop depending on aid.
Prime Minister Sogavare said the 2007 national budget was designed to address development issues that threaten Solomon Islands peace and security.
He said the Opposition Group’s argument that the success of the budget would depend on the normalization of Solomon Islands relations with Australia was totally ‘absurd.’
Mr Sogavare also emphasized the need for proper coordination of donors’ development assistance to ensure they were properly utilized to achieve national development goals.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has labelled the Opposition as juveniles because of their plan to move a no confidence motion against his Grand Coalition for Change government.
Speaking in Parliament at yesterday's sine die motion Prime Minister Sogovare told the opposition that their focus on the country's deteriorating relationship with Australia is causing them to act like kids.
Mr Sogovare said the Opposition should show maturity in their leadership and their planned no confidence motion is against a government that cares about the people of Solomon Islands.
The Opposition had claimed that the 2007 National Budget's success is dependent on relations with Canberra - a relationship that is currently in a standoff with the present government.
But the Prime Minister says it is absurd to attribute the Budget's non-performance to the stand-off with Australia.
Mr Sogovare also said that the issues the Opposition is complaining about are issues the government has already explained to the people of Solomon Islands.
It is likely the motion will not now be moved tomorrow as planned. |
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| Thursday, February 22, 2007 |
| SPORTS: Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool |
BBCnews
By Chris Bevan
Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise both scored as Liverpool shocked holders Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the first leg of their Champions League tie.
Deco nodded Barca in front from Gianluca Zambrotta's precise cross.
But Liverpool dug in and they levelled when Barca keeper Victor Valdes let Bellamy's header creep over the line.
Barca poured men forward but the Reds took the lead when Bellamy teed up Riise to fire home and they held on to win despite seeing Deco hit the post.
The pre-match headlines had been all about an alleged training camp fracas between Bellamy and Riise - but both were in Liverpool's starting line-up and did not take long to link up as the Reds made a confident start to the game.
Inside the first four minutes Steven Gerrard released Riise and his driven cross from the left was only just too strong for the Welshman.
But an attacking Barca line-up - with Javier Saviola flanked up front by Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi - did not take long to get into their stride.
Saviola had already been harshly called offside after breaking clear when Deco had a dangerous shot blocked by Jamie Carragher.
So it was no real surprise when the home side took the lead on 14 minutes.
Zambrotta escaped Gerrard on the left and, with Risse napping, his cross found Deco on his own at the far post to score with a bullet header.
It almost got worse for Rafa Benitez's side as Barcelona looked to press home their advantage.
The Reds had no answer to the home side's quick incisive passing that gave them two more chances in quick succession.
First Saviola shot wide after getting past Carragher, then Jose Reina had to make a good low save to deny Deco after he had ghosted on to Messi's through ball.
But Liverpool rode the storm and two minutes before half-time they were handed an unlikely route back into the game.
Much has been made of Barca's recent defensive vulnerability and it reared its head again here, thanks to a disastrous mistake by goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Bellamy had already escaped the Barcelona defence once to nod Gerrard's free-kick against the side-netting and he was soon at it again.
The Wales striker was all on his own to meet Xabi Alonso's cross and, although Valdes caught the ball, he carried it over the line before pushing it back out.
Dirk Kuyt followed up to make absolutely sure of the equaliser but it was not a surprise to see Bellamy claim the goal after his turbulent week - and he celebrated it with a golf swing.
Frank Rijkaard's side seemed to run out of ideas and, in the absence of any clear gameplan, settled for sending more men forward.
That played into Liverpool's hands and another Valdes error gave them their first chance of the second half when he picked up a back-pass with 20 minutes left.
The keeper saved Alonso's shot with his feet and was glad to see Kuyt head over when the midfielder swiftly sent over an inviting cross.
But Benitez did not have to wait long to see his side go ahead.
Reina saved well from Saviola and, when Liverpool came forward again, Valdes denied Kuyt - but the ball fell for Bellamy who fed Riiise to sweep the ball home.
There was still time for Deco to send a free-kick curling against the post with Reina beaten but Liverpool held on for a famous victory.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona: Valdes, Belletti, Marquez, Puyol, Zambrotta, Xavi (Giuly 65), Motta (Iniesta 54), Deco, Messi, Saviola (Gudjohnsen 82), Ronaldinho.
Subs Not Used: Jorquera, Van Bronckhorst, Thuram, Oleguer.
Booked: Belletti, Zambrotta.
Goals: Deco 14.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Finnan, Sissoko (Zenden 84), Alonso, Gerrard, Bellamy (Pennant 80),Kuyt (Crouch 90).
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Mascherano.
Booked: Agger, Kuyt, Sissoko, Bellamy.
Goals: Bellamy 43, Riise 74.
Att: 88,000
Ref: Kyros Vassaras (Greece). |
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| PM MOVES TO SCRAP INQUIRY |
The National Online
By JULIA DAIA BORE
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has moved to disband the PNG Defence Force Board of Inquiry.
Lawyers representing the Prime Minister appeared at the inquiry yesterday and demanded the immediate discontinuation of the proceedings by “disbanding itself” and “surrendering all its records, transcripts files” and everything else to the Minister for Defence.
Sir Michael’s lawyer Kerenga Kua also questioned the appointment of Justice Gibbs Salika as chairman of the inquiry.
Mr Kua contended that “there was no validly appointed chairman to this board and consequently the composition of this entire board and its entire proceedings was a legal nullity”.
This move comes as the inquiry is winding down and preparing to complete and send its final report to the Minister for Defence.
Mr Kua also said the summons served on his client Sir Michael to appear before the inquiry was not necessary on the basis that under Sect 52 (1) (a) of the Defence Act, he did not have or was likely to have material evidence that may be needed by the inquiry.
He said the summons for Sir Michael’s appearance should be withdrawn, and added that only Mr Joseph Assaigo had asserted that Sir Michael had directed the Moti flight.
This was hearsay; assumptions and that he was the only witness against three others who said they did not get any directions from the PM for such a military operation, he said.
On the jurisdiction issue, Mr Kua said the chairman “does not possess the qualifications and criteria set out under the Defence Regulation 3 (1) of the Defence (Boards of Inquiry) Regulations Chapter No. 74 of the Regulations”.
He said under the Defence Regulations 3 (2), the chairman of the inquiry would have to be an “officer of the Defence Force”, and said “since the current chairman was not, unless proven otherwise, he does not quality to be appointed as chairman”.
On Wednesday, suspended director-general of the Office of Security and Coordination assessment Joseph Assaigo claimed before the inquiry that he strongly believed there was a grand collusion or conspiracy between Ambassador Barney Rongap, Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe and PM’s chief of staff Leonard Louma to make it look like he was telling lies before the Defence inquiry.
Mr Assaigo said this when senior counsel assisting the inquiry John Kawi put it to him that all the other senior Government officials including the Prime Minister Sir Michael had said in the media and also before the inquiry that they had no knowledge of the clandestine flight until the operation was reported in the media.
Mr Kawi asked Mr Assaigo what he had to say for being branded “a lair”.
Mr Assaigo said he was very consistent with his evidence.
He said he had followed directions relayed to him by the PM’s chief of staff, who had told him the instruction to remove Moti came from the Prime Minister.
Mr Assaigo made it quite clear he had no direct communication with the PM and named the three men as “close to the PM” and not himself.
He told the inquiry that on the basis of his evidence being consistent and taking all the blame; including being branded a ‘lair’, he believed that Mr Rongap, Mr Louma and Mr Kalinoe were part of the conspiracy to brand him a lair.
Mr Kawi put it to Mr Assaigo: “Was Sir Michael part of the conspiracy?” Assaigo said: “No.”
The inquiry will rule on the application to disband the inquiry today. |
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| MALAITA PREMIER SUPPORTS RE-ARMAMENT |
SIBConline news
19:06 hrs
21/02/2007
Malaita's Premier Richard Namo Irosaea states that his government supports the National Government's controversial decision to re-arm the Close Personnel Protection Unit of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
Mr Irosaea says his provincial government trusts that the Sogovare government has based its decision to re-arm the unit on valuable information and that the decision is in the best interest of the country.
He says the security of the country's top political leader is the sole responsibility of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and that duty extends to protecting the country's sovereignty.
Mr Na'amo also says Malaita National Parliament members should work together with the current government to rebuild the nation and stop wasting the country's time in argument.
He says one year has already passed in argument and this has not benefited Solomon Islands in any way.
The Malaita Premier calls on the Malaita MP's to put the nation's interest to heart so that the country can continue with building the nation under the current government leadership. |
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| MALAITA OPPOSITION MPS TAKE FIRM STAND |
SIBCOnline news
19:08 hrs
21/02/2007
Three Malaita MPs in the Parliamentary Opposition and one from the Independent Members of Parliament say they will support the motion of no confidence to be moved in the Prime Minister in Parliament this Friday.
In the statement the four Malaita MPs say they will support the motion according to the Malaita culture for the unity, peace and security of Solomon Islands.
The four are North Malaita MP, Enele Kwanairara; East Are'are MP, Edward Huniehu; Central Kwara'ae MP, Fred Fono and their colleague for Small Malaita, William Haomae who will move the motion.
They have responded to an appeal by 10 other Malaita MPs and the three Honiara MPs who are also from Malaita.
They say their colleague MPs in government are entitled to their opinions on the motion.
The four MPs say they take the view that the present government is carelessly handling state affairs, and the nation is heading into disunity and insecurity.
They say without peace and security, Solomon Islanders may as well forget about development issues.
They assure the people of Malaita that they have and will continue to support important development projects for Malaita.
They also express concern about the behaviour of the three Honiara MPs who represent multi-ethnic constituencies but failed to seek the views of their constituents by talking only about matters regarding Malaita province. |
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| Wednesday, February 21, 2007 |
| Ex-soldiers surrender in Bougainville |
FijiLive News
Wednesday February 21, 2007
Four former Fiji soldiers hired by conman and self-proclaimed king Noah Musingku to train his private army on Bougainville have surrendered to police.
The Age reports the four joined Musingku last year at his jungle base at Tonu, in the island's rebel-held no-go zone.
But they appeared to have given up hope of receiving the $1US million each Musingku had promised them.
One other Fijian remains at large but police said they hoped he too would surrender.
His four colleagues arrived in Bougainville's main town of Buka on Tuesday night accompanied by a Catholic priest and a church elder and were taken into custody, police said.
Musingku runs the discredited U-Vistract fast money scheme and is wanted by Papua New Guinea authorities on fraud and other charges.
Police have named the four Fijians as Jolame Gukirewa, Manasa Dumuloto, Kalivati Dau and Aliki Moro.
An immigration officer from Port Moreby would fly in tomorrow to process charges against the Fijians for breaching immigration laws.
A Fiji High Commission representative from Port Moresby was due in Buka today to provide consular services to the Fijians.
Fijilive |
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| SPORTS: MENAPI SCORED 2 GOALS AS WAITAKERE THRASHED MT DORE IN THE O-LEAGUE |
Oceaniasoccer.com
Tuesday, 20th February 2007
Waitakere United surged to the top of O-League Group A after a 6-1 demolition of AS Mont Dore at Fred Taylor Park, Waitakere this evening. Waitakere took an early lead when Commins Menapi found himself in space and drilled home an unstoppable shot past Christopher Tavergeux after just five minutes. Three minutes later Jeff Campbell delivered an inch perfect corner that was flicked on by Menapi allowing Hoani Edwards to volley the ball beyond an exposed Tavergeaux.
AS Mont Dore experienced their best spell shortly afterwards as Waitakere United sat back on their lead. George Suri threw AS Mont Dore a fine chance to get back into the game when he allowed a Hone Fowler pass to go under his foot setting free Ramon Djamali. Djamali's shot was on target but failed to trouble Michael Utting.
AS Mont Dore were then reduced to ten men after 34 minutes when Gildas Vakoume lashed out at Hoani Edwards after the pair met in a crunching tackle near halfway. AS Mont Dore struggled to cope with the numerical disadvantage with skipper Marius Mapou turning in an impressive performance from an overun midfield.
Mapou's heroics were not enough to stop the hosts and matters got worse for the vistors when energetic midfielder Jeff Campbell picked up a pass from the marauding Daniel Koprivcic and unleashed a powerful measured right foot shot into the top left corner of the net after 57 minutes from 30 metres out. Allan Pearce added a fourth for Waitakere United moments later when he swept a cross of Santos home from close range.
AS Mont Dore grabbed themselves a consolation goal when the impressive Marius Mapou won a loose ball in midfield and slipped a defence splitting pass past a backpedalling Waitakere United defence for Patrick Diaike who fired a low left foot shot past Michael Utting. The joy was short-lived when Koprivcic caught defender Kouriane Jacques Caba in possession after 64 minutes and raced through on goal unchallenged before stroking home a right foot shot past the marooned Tavergeaux.
Commins Menapi scored Waitakere United's sixth goal after chasing down a Jeff Campbell through-ball on 87 minutes and blasting a shot at Tavergeaux who parried the ball but could only watch helplessly as it looped into the empty net beyond him.
The young Tavergeaux turned in a raw but heroic performance making a string of impressive saves against an unrelenting Waitakere United attack. For Waitakere United Jeff Campbell was the outstanding figure with some precision passing and an outstanding goal.
After two games Waitakere United have 4 points having scored 8 goals and conceding 3. Auckland City are second with four points and have scored 4 and conceded 2. AS Mont Dore are all but eliminated after two defeats from two matches, scoring 1 goal and conceding 8.
The enxt fixture in O-League Group A will see Auckland City host AS Mont Dore at Kiwitea Street on Friday 23rd February, kickoff at 6.00pm.
WAITAKERE UNITED.......6
AS MONT DORE...........1
WAITAKERE UNITED: Michael UTTING; George SURI, Hone FOWLER (Craig WYLIE 70), Sam JASPER, Commins MENAPI, Allan PEARCE (Stuart HOGG 83), Jakub SINKORA, Daniel KOPRIVCIC, Hoani EDWARDS (Pedro SANTOS 46), Rupesh PUNA, Jeff CAMPBELL.
SUBS NOT USED: Prince QUANSAH, Michael GWYTHER, Graham PEARCE, Simon EADDY.
Yellow cards: none.
Red cards: none.
Goals: Commins MENAPI 5th min, 87th min, Hoani EDWARDS 8th min, Daniel KOPRIVCIC 57th min, 64th min, Allan PEARCE 55th min.
AS MONT DORE: Christopher TAVERGEUX, Marius MAPOU, Patrick DIAIKE, Ramon DJAMALI (Stanley KABEU 68), Kouriane Jacque CABA, Georges WADRENGES, Fabrice WEDE, Yves Noel FAYE (Jose EURIBOA 60), Martial Jean Phillipe NEMOADJOU, Charles WAMO, Gildas VAKOUME.
SUBS NOT USED: Daniel HARPER.
Yellow cards: Yves Noel FAYE 28.
Red cards: Gildas VAKOUME 35.
Goals: Patrick DIAIKE 57th min.
Referee -Rakesh Chand VARMAN (Fiji)
Assistant Referee - Andrew Anand ACHARI (Fiji)
Assistant Referee - Rohitesh DAYAL (Fiji)
Fourth Official - Leone RAKOROI (Fiji)
GOALSCORERS:
3 - Paul URLOVIC (Auckland City), Commins MENAPI (Waitakere United)
2 - Daniel KOPRIVCIC (Waitakere United)
1 - Osea VAKATALESAU (Ba FC), Laisenia TUBA (Ba FC), Grant YOUNG (Auckland City),
Danny HAY (Waitakere United), Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United), Hoani EDWARDS
(Waitakere United), Patrick DIAIKE (AS Mont Dore). |
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| High Court warns against comment on cases |
PFnet news
21/02/07
Registrar of the High Court, Mr Nelson Laurere today issued a warning about public comment on cases currently before the Court, saying that unwise comment may amount to contempt of Court.
In particular, the Registrar was referring to an article reported on page 1 of Friday’s Solomon Star (No. 3293) concerning the case of Julian Ronald Moti v. Registrar of the High Court, His Lordship Justice Brown and the Attorney General (CC 437 of 2006), and subsequent letters to the Editor.
“It is very important that anyone making or publishing public statements about the results of court cases ensures that they are accurate and the reporting is fair. The suggestion that the case brought by Mr Moti was successful is not correct. In fact, His Lordship the Chief Justice refused leave to Mr Moti to apply for relief under the provisions of s.18(1) of the Constitution on the grounds that his rights had been contravened in the earlier case brought before the His Lordship Justice Brown in the High Court,” Mr Laurere said.
In that case the High Court found that:
1. Mr Moti’s rights were not contravened by the Hon Justice Brown when he refused to hear the original case because the proceedings were brought in the name of the Queen;
2. Mr Moti’s rights were not contravened by the publication of the decision in that case;
3. There are adequate alternate means of redress available to Mr Moti in place of the relief under the Constitution which was sought; &
4. Mr Moti is to bear his own costs of the proceedings.
In this particular case there is also the prospect of further proceedings before the Court, either by way of an appeal against the Chief Justice’s decision or in the original proceedings.
In these circumstances it would be in the interests of justice for all concerned if any public statements and reporting were confined to factual statements to avoid any further risk of prejudicing a fair trial and the serious consequences which may flow if that were to occur.
“Any public statement which prejudices a fair trial may well be found to be in contempt of Court and the law provides for severe penalties, including imprisonment, for such matters,” the Registrar said.
© The High Court |
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| MOTI AFFAIR: Moti a political liability in Melanesia |
PFnet News
21/02/07
(The National Express) -
The Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea top political leadership is likely to continue facing questions relating to the controversial removal of Australia's fugitive lawyer, Julian Moti.
The latest twist in the Moti saga is an affidavit served on the PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to appear before the PNG Defence Board of Inquiry this week.
Prime Minister Michael Somare has been summoned to answer claims by the former Director-General of the National Security Advisory Council, Joseph Assaigo that Somare ordered the clandestine operation for a PNG Defence aircraft to fly Moti to Solomon Islands on October 10th last year, when the fugitive Australian lawyer was in police custody in Port Moresby.
Moti's military-assisted escape has angered Canberra, as Australia was seeking to extradite Moti who is an Australian citizen to face child sex charges alleged to have been committed a decade ago in Vanuatu.
Prime Minister Somare has consistently denied that he had sanctioned Moti's escape flight.
Mr. Assaigo's allegation is contained in a statement he filed in court last week challenging Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe's decision that he was guilty of insubordination and disobeying lawful orders in organising Moti's escape to Solomon Islands.
Mr. Assaigo is also challenging a PNG Cabinet decision to dismiss him from his security chief's job.
In his statement, Mr. Assaigo said he was told by Sir Michael's chief of staff Leonard Louma had advised that Sir Michael directed Mr. Kalinoe to get rid of Mr. Moti.
Mr. Louma later told him that Sir Michael was disappointed the order to remove Mr. Moti had not been carried out, Mr. Assaigo said.
He said he later met Mr. Kalinoe and discussed logistical options to remove Mr. Moti from PNG. Mr. Louma then rang him to say Sir Michael had issued directions to have Mr. Moti removed, Mr. Assaigo said.
He met Mr. Louma and was directed to use either the police helicopter or the PNG Defence Force air unit to fly Mr. Moti out.
Mr. Assaigo said because of the risk involved, he wanted to speak with Mr. Kalinoe first. But Mr. Louma became "agitated and angry", assuring him that should anything happen he had Sir Michael's protection.
He said he communicated the direction to the acting commander of the PNG Defence Force, Tom Ur, and the order was carried out.
"This is what happened in the repatriation of Moti," Mr. Assaigo said in the statement. "The direction was given by the Prime Minister in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Security Council, through his chief of staff, who communicated the same to me."
Mr. Assaigo has testified to a PNG Defence Force board of inquiry into Mr. Moti's escape flight, along with Mr. Kalinoe and Mr. Louma who both denied giving any orders to him to have Mr. Moti flown out.
The inquiry has been barred from visiting the Solomons by the Solomon Islands government.
Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare wants Mr. Moti as his attorney-general but the country's Public Service Commission suspended him from the appointment because of the serious Australian charges against him.
Mr. Moti remains in Honiara, staying in a hotel at the Government's expense while he seeks to over-turn his suspension.
© The National Express |
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| GUADALCANAL LEADERS MAKE STAND |
SIBConline news
19:41 hrs
20/02/2007
Provincial and national leaders of Guadalcanal have unanimously supported and requested that the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands remains in the country until it has completed its mandates.
Its mandates are stipulated under the Facilitation Act of 2003.
During a Province Coordinating and Consultative Committee last Friday the eight members of Parliament for Guadalcanal and the 11 members of the Provincial Government Executive agreed and signed a resolution on various matters.
This include the Guadalcanal leaders opposing the re-arming of the Solomon Islands Police.
The leaders also agreed that the review of the Facilitation Act 2003 should make provision for any Provincial Government in Solomon Islands to negotiate with RAMSI to remain within its area of jurisdiction.
They signed the resolution in recognition of the concerns expressed by the people of Guadalcanal Province on those issues.
The Guadalcanal leaders also noted the response by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, to the request by the Guadalcanal Provincial Executive in relation to the issues of RAMSI and re-arming of the Solomon Islands police.
They agreed that there is a need to engage with the Government on such issues of national importance and prominence rather than attempting to create distances. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:42 AM |
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| MORE MPs SUPPORT PRIME MINISTER |
SIBConline news
19:37 hrs
20/02/2007
Seven Parliamentarians from Makira Ulawa and Temotu provinces have pledged their support for Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare against the planned no confidence motion by the parliamentary opposition.
M-P for small Malaita, William Haomae plans to move the no confidence motion in Sogavare led government this Friday.
The seven MPs who pledged support for the Prime Minister are: Japhet Waipora, West Makira; Bernard Giro, Central Makira; David Sitai, east Makira; James Tora, Ulawa/Ugi; Patteson Oti, Temotu Nende; Clay Soalaoi, Temotu Vatu and Martin Maga, Temotu Pele.
The signing of the support pledge for the Prime Minister by the seven MPs could be seen as solidarity with the Government.
It follows earlier claims by the Opposition leader, Fred Fono that he was confident he has the support from a number of Government Ministers and backbenchers to oust the Sogavare Government through the no confidence motion.
In a similar show of political strength, 13 MPs from Malaita Province including three Honiara members have also announced their support for the Government to defeat the motion. |
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| Tuesday, February 20, 2007 |
| MOTI AFFAIR: Assaigo blames Louma |
The National Online
20/02/07
FORMER national security man Joseph Assaigo yesterday shifted the blame away from the Prime Minister and pinned them on the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Leonard Louma.
He said in a statement yesterday that Mr Louma gave the directions to fly Moti out, and made it look like the directions came from the Prime Minister.
“I reiterate that the direction to repatriate Mr Moti out of PNG came from the chief of staff of the Prime Minister, Mr Leonard Louma. Mr Louma advised me that the direction was from Prime Minister. There was at no time a direct conversation between the Prime Minister and I over the issue,” Mr Assaigo said.
“I was led to believe that the direction came from the Prime Minister because I was advised so by his chief of staff. Since the matter was a sensitive issue and I was led to believe that the Prime Minister was the authority who gave the direction, I had to take steps to implement the same.
“I would not have carried out the task of implementing the direction had I believed that it did not come from the highest authority. My conscience is clear in this matter and when I was charged over the matter, I explained everything to the Chief Secretary.
“If the direction did not come from the Prime Minister, then Mr Louma must clarify the air as to where it emanated from,” he said.
He said he did not have any personal interest in the matter, and rejected such inferences made by the Prime Minister. |
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| GOVERNMENT SUSPECTED OF RUNNING A 'SPY UNIT' |
IslandsBusiness News
TVNZ/ Pacnews
Tue, 20 Feb 2007
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS ---- A shadowy “spy unit” in the offices of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is suspected of running a smear campaign against Australians and the regional assistance mission there, TV NZ reports.
A 61-year-old Australian Vietnam War veteran may have been a victim of the campaign after he was arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate Sogavare last month.
Sogavare's government remains tight-lipped about the “security intelligence unit”, made up of former police officers, but funding for it appeared in this month's Budget.
The existence of the unit - understood to have five members including former police chief superintendent Oliver "Twist" Osi - has emerged at a time of highly strained bilateral relations.
Mr Sogavare has spent the past six months accusing Canberra of interfering in his country's politics and behaving like a bully in the Pacific.
He has also agitated for a reduced role for Australia in the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), accusing Canberra of using it as a political tool.
Sources in the Solomons capital, Honiara, told AAP the spy unit could be behind a campaign to blacken the names of RAMSI and Australia, and to improve the image of Sogavare's government.
In an open letter to Solomon Islanders, published in local newspapers earlier this month, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer referred to "a deliberate push" by the Solomons government to undermine RAMSI and tarnish its reputation.
Downer referred to “an insulting attempt to smear RAMSI" with the allegation that prostitution was being allowed on the RAMSI base near Honiara.
“No evidence was ever produced to justify this shameful allegation,” he said.
Mr Downer also referred to another “outrageous allegation” made in the Honiara Magistrates Court that Australia was behind an alleged plot to assassinate Sogavare.
“Not only is that not true, it is a grave insult to the people and government of Australia,” he said in the letter. |
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| Premier admits Malaita’s land pressure |
Solomonstar Online news
20 February, 2007 - 10:06am. Headlines
By MOFFAT MAMU
MALAITA has a growing problem on land use and its sustainability in the years to come therefore organic farming must be emphasised.
Malaita Premier Richard Na’amo was speaking yesterday at the official opening of a new classroom complex and the enrolment of the new students who will be studying at the Fiu-based Permaculture Centre this year.
Mr Na’amo said organic farming is a very important method of farming to allow farmers use land and its resources wisely.
He said what the Asia Pacific Sustainable Development (APSD) centre provided was not only a learning institute but a resource centre for Malaita farmers who are interested in organic farming.
“This centre has provided the much needed training for farmers who can go back and apply the skills in their communities to farm in a more sustainable manner.
“This centre has something to do with the sustainability of the land so that the land can be used over and over again.
“But in Malaita we have a problem of land sustainability.
“The more human beings we have the more pressure we exert on the use of land in terms of cultivating crops and building houses.
“We have a big problem ahead of land degradation if we are not using our land properly given the increasing population of the province.
“Therefore this centre has the role to teach people how to use the land in a more sustainable manner,” he said.
The premier added that Malaita is an agricultural province where many people used the land to cultivate their food and income.
“As such for the future development of the province such training must continue.
“My government will work together with the centre to ensure that most of the farmers are being educated about organic farming,” Mr Naámo, who has an agriculture background, said.
He urged farmers to take advantage of the information and the services that the Solomon Organic Centre provided and put them into practise.
Last year the Permaculture Centre opened the Solomon Organic Centre in Auki where farmers can visit the centre to find out information on organic farming. |
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| MALAITA MPS IN GOVERNMENT TO OPPOSE MOTION |
SIBConline news
12:55 hrs
20/02/2007
Malaita MPs in the government have agreed to oppose the "No confidence Motion" to be moved in the Prime Minister by Opposition MP William Haomae.
A statement from the 13 MPs from Malaita in the government including the three MPs from Honiara seats says they made the position clear in the spirit of Malaita culture.
The statement says the MPs will support the Sogavare led government and vote "No" in the coming vote on the "no-confidence motion: this Friday.
The statement says instead of advancing efforts that would frustrate programs that the Sogavare government has for Malaita, the four Malaita MPs in the Opposition should work closely with them.
The four Malaita MPs in the Opposition are: MP for Central Kwara'ae, Fred Fono; Leader of the Independent Group, and MP for North Malaita, Enele Kwanaiara; MP for East Are'Are, Edward Huni'ehi and MP for Small Malaita, William Haomae. |
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| REGIONAL NEWS: Forum EPG wants Bainimarama to resign |
FijiLive
Tuesday February 20, 2007
The Pacific Islands Forum Eminent Persons Group which visited Fiji last month wants the Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, to resign and be replaced by a civilian.
The EPG says the military should be asked to take immediate steps to withdraw from its involvement in the interim government, with a view to restoring civilian rule as soon as possible.
Their 21-page report which was leaked says Commodore Bainimarama should order the return to barracks of all soldiers who have not done so after the handover of rule to a civilian administration on January 5.
Radio New Zealand reports the EPG has called on the interim administration to commit without delay to a roadmap with measurable milestones to restore democratic rule.
The group led by Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister Sato Kilman said in their view this should take between 18 months and two years.
The eminent persons say they believe the interim administration should de-link the election timetable from its clean-up campaign, except in those areas linked to the electoral process.
They have urged the interim administration to immediately cease all human rights abuses and to restrict its activities to four areas.
These are to uphold the 1997 Constitution, respect and uphold Fiji's domestic and international obligations, the military to cease all interference with the judiciary, and ensure that all citizens are free to seek legal redress in courts in relation to events on or after December 5.
The report says if the interim administration adheres to its recommendations, the Pacific Forum will consider a package of assistance to Fiji.
The Interim administration has received a copy of the EPG report and is now studying it |
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| SPORTS: BA DRAW FIRST BLOOD IN O-LEAGUE GROUP B |
Oceaniasoccer.com
Monday, 19th February 2007
Fijian football giants Ba FC have drawn first blood in the OFC O-League Group B in front of a 17,000 crowd at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands today thanks to a 36th minute strike from Osea Vakatalesau and a 57th minute penalty scored by their goalkeeper Laisenia Tuba.
The Ba custodian silenced the frenzied crowd with a first half spot kick as the Fijians went on to record a resounding 2-0 victory over Marist FC that sets them up in pole position and a possible O-League finals berth.
Marist FC struggled to contain Ba during an enthralling match despite a full stadium of parochial supporters urging them on. Ba - battled hardened from their domestic Champion of Champion campaign - proved far too strong for a Marist FC side struggling out of their regular season for both fitness and form.
Marist FC coach Patrick Miniti said "This is not the way we would have liked the match to end (losing 2-0) and we need to improve in our next matches".
Ba FC coach Yogendra Dutt was understandably happy to come away from the Solomon Islands with maximum points.
"What we planned worked out for us and it's all because of our belief in ourselves. We played according to a plan and that was exactly what we came here to do. We've played Marist FC now and so our home match will be very interesting," Dutt said.
Papua New Guinea referee Job Minan Ponis only booked one player - Finau Peni of Ba, for a foul in the 65th minute. Ba FC sits atop Group B with 3 points, AS Temanava sit in second spot but is yet to play a game, with Marist FC last following this opening match day defeat.
MARIST FC: Francis ARUWAFU; Martin RUHASIA, Joseph LANI, Jerry SAM, John WAYNE (Tome FAISI 37), Benjamin MELA, Sebastian MISIGA, Tinoi RATU (George AFIA 87), Gideon OMOKIRIO, Timothy JOE (Simon SAU 77), Samson TAKAYAMA.
SUBS NOT USED: Michael MISITANA, Lucian SIKWAAE, Mostyn BEUI, David HOUPERE.
Yellow cards: none
Red cards: none
BA FC: Laisenia TUBA; Shalen LAI, Roneel KUMAR, Jone VESIKULA, Josaia BUKALIDI (Tuimasi MANUCA 81), Robert WISE, Finau PENI, Kinivillame TURAGALAILAI (Ronald CHANDRA 60), Osea VAKATALESAU, Malakai TIWA (Avinesh SWAMY 65), Malakai KAINIHEWE.
SUBS NOT USED: Keni DOIDOI, Luke VIDOVI, Leone VURUKANIA, Epeli CODRO.
Yellow cards: Finau PENI 65.
Red cards: none
Goals: Osea VAKATALESAU 36, Laisenia TUBA 57 pen.
Referee - Job Minan Ponis (Papua New Guinea)
Assistant Referee - Nawen Hopken (Vanuatu)
Assistant Referee - Mahit Chilia (Vanuatu)
Fourth Official - Joakim Salaiau Sosongan (Papua New Guinea) |
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| FORMER POLICE COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCE RETIREMENT |
SIBConline news
18:37 hrs
19/02/2007
Former Police Commissioner of the Solomon Islands Police Force Shane Castles has announced his retirement from law enforcement.
The Australian newspaper reports that Mr Castles announced his early retirement in a letter to his former police officers in Solomon Islands.
He is currently in Australia after the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogovare terminated his contract as Police Commissioner late last year.
Mr Castles says his treatment by the Government has forced him to reflect and end his career with the Australian Federal Police.
He says that while he was very disappointed with how the Solomon Islands Government he would not be taking legal action as he had once threatened.
The former Police Commissioner was deemed an "undesirable immigrant" by the national government while on leave in December.
He was also described as a threat to the country's public security and morality.
Mr Castles lost government support after ordering a raid on the offices of Prime Minister Sogovare in October last year in search of documents concerning the suspended Attorney General Julian Moti.
Mr Castles had served the Australian Federal Police for 32 years. |
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| BACKBENCHERS NOT ENTITLED TO GOVERNMENT VEHICLES |
SIBConline news
18:43 hrs
19/02/2007
The Speaker of Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea has said backbenchers are not entitled to government vehicles.
In a letter to MPs Sir Peter says he had raised concern in Parliament why government has allocated government vehicles to backbenchers when there are no provisions for such allocation in the Parliament Entitlement Regulation 2006.
Both the Minister of Infrastructure and Development, Stanley Sofu, and Acting Attorney General, Nuatali Tongarutu have acknowledged there were no provisions of vehicles for backbenchers or any other ordinary members.
However, they said successive governments have allowed certain privilege to be awarded to other members with certain assignments while delivering their statutory obligations.
He said the present government has allocated vehicles to the Chairmen of the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands, the Chairman of the Solomon Islands Port Authority and the Chairman of the Visitors Bureau.
The Speaker of Parliament while assisting to clarify the matter said under the Constitution, the terms and conditions of all MPs were Sections 69-A and 69-C.
Under that section the Parliament Entitlements Commission decides the terms and conditions and that no other authority has the right to make any other awards. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:03 AM |
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| Monday, February 19, 2007 |
| Solomon Islanders identify with lost tribe of Israel |
Stuff.co.nz news
Monday, 19 February 2007
Mysterious Israelis are buying copra in the Solomon Islands and as Michael Field reports, the Islanders believe they are the Lost Tribe of Israel.
A couple of men, one wearing a flag of Israel, have shown up in the Solomon Islands, claiming they are ready to buy copra at high prices. They?ve headed off to remote and poor Malaita Island where indigenous Melanesian people believe they are survivors of the lost tribe of Israel.
Despite science and DNA testing, the Lost Tribe myth lives on strongly in the South Pacific. It?s more than a quaint story in the Solomons; north Malaita people have rejected recent Australian aid projects, saying they are too busy growing copra for Israel.
The Lost Tribe story has a long track record here with the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand noting missionary Samuel Marsden suggesting Maori had ?sprung from some dispersed Jews?. Thomas Kendall said Maori originated in Egypt.
Te Ua Haumene who founded the Paimarire Church or Hauhauism claimed that in September 1862 the Angel Gabriel had visited him and revealed that Maori were one of the Lost Tribes.
The Israeli connection is a problem in the Solomon Islands which was the scene of a civil war on its main island of Guadalcanal where locals objected to people from Malaita moving in. The war only ended with the arrival of a regional intervention force, including New Zealand police and soldiers.
One of the combatant units, the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) featured the Israeli flag in their iconography. A governor-general of the Solomons even made an official visit to Israel.
The Solomon Islands has been populated for around 5000 years. The first European ashore was Spaniard Alvaro de Mendana in 1568 who believed it was the site of the Biblical King Solomon Mines.
Dr Jaap Timmer of the Dutch Leiden University describes on an anthropological web discussion list serve how he had experience with the Lost Tribe movement in the Solomons.
He says archaeological and other evidence does not sustain descent from Israel: ?However, I would not deny the parallels of Old Testament and Melanesian tribal cultures, which strike Melanesians very forcefully when they read the Bible.?
Growing numbers of evangelical Christians in North Malaita believe that the Lost Temple of Israel lies hidden at a shrine that was previously used for ancestral worship in the mountainous interior of their island.
Others want to build a full-scale replica of the temple believing it is pre-ordained for a country named the Solomon Islands.
The claim frustrates mainstream churches. "Missionary Christianity is often associated with the British colonial government, European superiority, and Western ways that are believed to have polluted social life and governance in Solomon Islands."
The Temple claim also evokes traditional land disputes, with fears that the temple would attract Israeli tourists, prompting inter-tribal jealousy.
Two disputed temple sites exist on Malaita and Anglican Bishop Terry Brown on the island says one of them is tied up with a self-proclaimed prophet and failed politician, Michael Maeliau, who leads the "Deep Sea Canoe Movement".
He has been to Israel a number of times and has links to American neo-Israel fundamentalist groups there. Deep Sea Canoe Movement talks of taking Christianity back to Israel.
Bishop Brown says that they are serious groups.
"They, indeed, often have legitimate grievances against both governments and the more established churches," he says.
But people could not be totally uncritical, as the groups can be dangerous. Bishop Brown recalled that the Lord's Resistance Army of Northern Uganda started out as one such neo-Israelite movement.
"The groups and beliefs are in constant mutation and fluctuation, interacting with traditional beliefs and practices," he says.
Mixed in are various forms of Christianity, cargo cultism and land disputes. Movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Rastafarianism even have a play and Bishop Brown noted that a kind of Islam was even involved.
A group from the capital Honiara claiming to be Muslim recently arrived at Malaita?s Auki, saying they had come to burn down churches. They were arrested for making a public disturbance.
"The first generation of Malaita Muslims were conventional; the second generation (many ex-MEF militants) is syncretistic, giving up, for example, neither pork nor alcohol.
"Indeed, there is some question whether they are Muslims at all. One only hopes that the Middle East situation of Jew vs. Muslim does not resurface here as Malaita Israelite vs. Malaita Muslim."
The Solomons is not alone with Lost Tribe members. Recently Papua New Guinea Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane launched a book, Bine Mene: Connecting the Hebrews, by geoscientist Samuel Were.
Local accounts say that the Bine tribe discovered they were Hebrew when translators arrived in the area in 1972 to produce a Bible in Bine language. As unsophisticated as it sounds, local people used footnotes for Hebrew words and meanings given in English matched with Bine. The story evolved into Bine being Lost Tribe.
PNG has had long experience with Jewish connections, mixed up with millenarian beliefs, along with ideas about the end of the world coming when all Jews return to Jerusalem. When a group of Israeli agricultural scientists visited PNG some years back, rumours swept the country that they had airline tickets to take all adherents back to Israel.
Geographer Dr Bryant Allen of the Australian National University described on the list serve how PNG?s Gogodala tribe were convinced they were Jewish. Dr Allen eventually did visit them and found it might all have been a colonial invention. Europeans had long commented on Papuans saying the looked ?Jewish? and in recent years Australian missionaries who successfully converted them to Christianity were given to remarking on their ?Jewishness?.
?The ideas of colonists were soon embraced and subordinated to local needs, narratives and objectives,? Dr Allen says.
The link can seem confusing. A Jews-for-Jesus missionary website www.celebratemessiah.com.au magazine recounts the visit of Lawrence Hirsch of Chosen People Ministries? arriving at a wedding in PNG.
?When he landed at Wewak Airport, he was overwhelmed by the greeting he received from hundreds of people waving Israeli flags,? the magazine said.
A clan in Enga used to claim they were Israeli, although it seemed only to be a device with which they kept from paying regional tribal taxes. Oddly the first assault rifle that arrived in their Lai Valley was named "Israel"; when they obliterated their traditional feud partner's market, everyone crowed "We are Israel! We destroyed them because we are without sin!"
Fiji has elements of Fijians-as-Israelites in its culture too with a popular myth ? often told to gullible tourists on the road between Nadi and Lautoka ? about a boat called Kaunitoni being the first to bring people ashore. It is said to have contained ancient Israelites who journeyed down to Lake Tanganyika and ? in an unexplained way ? ended up in Fiji.
The Latter Day Saints or Mormons taught for 175 years that Native Americans and Polynesians were descended from ancient seafaring Israelites. DNA research confirmed what anthropologists have been saying for nearly as many years, that Native Americans are originally from Siberia and Polynesians from Southeast Asia. |
| posted by administrator @ 4:50 PM |
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| Solomons to return Moti if govt changes |
The West.co.au
19th February 2007, 11:33 WST
Wanted Australian lawyer Julian Moti will be sent back to Australia if the Solomon Islands opposition seizes power in a no confidence vote due this week against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
At a weekend meeting, opposition members also resolved that if they form a new government they will mend relations with Canberra and reinstate ousted police commissioner Shane Castles.
Castles, an Australian, was declared an undesirable migrant by the Sogavare government in December and barred from returning to the Solomons after taking leave in Australia.
Moti is wanted to face charges in Australia that he raped a 13-year-old girl in Vanuatu in 1997.
The no-confidence motion against Sogavare, filed by opposition MP William Haomae, is likely to be put on Friday but it is unclear if the opposition has the numbers to win.
Sogavare comfortably survived a no-confidence vote in October after a motion was put by opposition leader Fred Fono in the 50-member parliament.
In past months, Sogavare has lost a number of senior MPs and party leaders from the government side, including former prime ministers Bart Ulafa'alu and Francis Billy Hilly, and his former deputy prime minister Job Dudley Tausinga.
Opposition members said in a statement a new government would repatriate Moti because he was a main cause of the embarrassing and damaging diplomatic row between Honiara and Canberra.
Sogavare wants Moti to be his attorney-general but he remains suspended from that appointment because of the seriousness of the Australian charges against him.
Canberra was angered by Moti's escape from Port Moresby to the Solomons on a Papua New Guinea military flight and by Sogavare's continued protection of his longtime adviser.
The opposition said Castles and former attorney-general Primo Afeau would be reinstated and investigations launched into their dismissals.
"We believe that Mr Castles was dismissed because he had initiated the investigation into the Moti affair and other criminal investigations into offences alleged to have been committed by national politicians."
The opposition said it would seek to mend relations with Canberra following a series of diplomatic disputes since Sogavare came to power last May.
Sogavare wants reduced Australian influence in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which arrived in mid-2003 to restore law and order and good governance after years of ethnic unrest.
The opposition said it would also put on hold a controversial plan by Sogavare's government to re-arm the nation's police force, starting with the prime minister's close protection unit.
This month, the government easily defeated a motion, 27 votes to 19, calling for the scrapping of the plan.
It is opposed by the opposition, RAMSI, women's, church, business and other non-government organisations.
The premier of the Solomons' Western Province has even threatened to seek independence if the re-arming plan goes ahead.
AAP |
| posted by administrator @ 4:32 PM |
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| SOLOMON ISLANDS STUDENTS ARRIVE IN FIJI |
SIBConline news
12:34 hrs
19/02/2007
A first group Solomon Islands Government sponsored students at the University of the South Pacific in Suva have arrived safely over the weekend.
The students are currently undergoing registration before classes begin on Monday next week.
It is understood more than sixty students including both new and continuing scholars arrived at Nadi on Saturday night in a Solomon Airlines flight.
Remaining students in Honiara are expected to fly to Fiji tomorrow and on Saturday.
According to the USP Calender, this week is the orientation and enrolment week for new students.
So far, other regional students have already arrived in Suva awaiting commencement of semester one classes next week. |
| posted by administrator @ 4:04 PM |
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| OPPOSITION SAYS IT HAS NUMBER TO REMOVE PRIME MINISTER |
SIBConline news
12:39 hrs
19/02/2007
Leader of Opposition Fred Fono says the opposition grouping is confident it has the number and support to win the its motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Mr Fono claims the group has the support of a number of government ministers and backbenchers who are unhappy with the leadership style of Mr Sogavare.
He says the government ministers and back bench MPs are only waiting to pass the 2007 budget this week before resigning from the government.
Mr Fono says the motion is another attempt by the opposition grouping to save the country from the downward trend it is taking.
He says the group's reasons for moving the motion are already public knowledge.
The opposition which is comprised of the three political groupings has mandated Small Malaita MP, William Haomae to move the motion this Friday. |
| posted by administrator @ 4:02 PM |
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| Kilu’ufi hospital receives assistance from US |
Solomonstar news
19 February, 2007 - 9:20am. Headlines | Nation
By JOY A RIKIMAE
THE United States Military Pacific Command has stepped in to improve the water supply for Kilu’ufi Hospital.
Kilu’ufi Hospital lacks adequate water supply for years and having a donor improve the system was for the hospital staff “a blessing”.
Outgoing medical director Dr Henry Kako told a visiting United States delegation to Kilu’ufi on Friday that this was the hospital’s first project for a super power - the United States of America - to assist in.
“It is on the mutual understanding and shared common interest between the two countries that enable this assistance to take effect,” Dr Kako said.
Dr Kako’s replacement, Dr Rex Maukera said Kilu’ufi Hospital has for years enjoyed many support from donors and people.
However, he said while these donations helped to improve the health services, nothing had been done to improve the hospital’s water supply.
“As a clinician the really important improvement is to have reliable and safe water and sanitation.
“This is why this generous donation will be so important for provision of health care here at Kilu’ufi,” he said.
United States Military Pacific Command representative Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Reardon said he is very happy to visit the historical location where the two countries have contributed in WWII.
“It will remain deep in our hearts,” he said.
He said 60 years ago they put their lives on line everyday to preserve what they hold dear, that is freedom, equality and justice.
Therefore, he said the contribution to the hospital’s water supply is their small token of appreciation to the people of Malaita the facilities.
The gifts include two ablution blocks, a 10,000 gallon water tank and a pore hole worth about $1.8million.
The project was initiated in 2000, now it is completed.
“We know that you have taken ownership of this already, we are looking forward for possibilities of other joint ventures in the Solomons,” he said.
Malaita Premier, Richard Irosaea also welcome and thank the USA government for the generous gift.
Bishop Terry Brown of the Church of Melanesia opened the facilities with a word of prayer. |
| posted by administrator @ 10:31 AM |
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| OFC - O-LEAGUE FEVER SWEEPS THROUGH HONIARA |
Oceaniasoccer.com
Sunday, 18th February 2007
Football fever has gripped Honiara as an army of fans in the Solomon Islands await the arrival of Fijian champions Ba FC for the mouthwatering O-League Group B match against Marist FC.
A capacity crowd is expected to swell Lawson Tama Stadium with the O-League dominating newspapers, radio and local television. O-League banners advertising the match hang draped above the bridge leading into the city centre and Lawson Tama Stadium itself.
The last international match played in Honiara saw the Solomon Islands take on the might of Australia for a place at the FIFA World Cup - Germany 2006 in front of a capacity crowd with thousands locked outside unable to obtain tickets taking to the hills and trees in an effort to catch a glimpse of the match any way they could.
A highly charged air of excitement and anticipation has been boosted by the presence of OFC president and FIFA vice-president Reynald Temarii.
Flights into Honiara have been booked out and with a huge influx of fans expected from the outer islands today and tommorrow.
Now Solomon Islands will host the glamour Fiji club Ba FC in what is billed to be showdown between the two Melanesian football powerhouses. Ba FC has dominated Fiji's Champion of Champion series almost totally winning 13 consecutive titles in a row. Only Labasa has secured a Champion of Champion title - back in 1993, ironically against Ba FC, during a 1-0 aggregate victory.
Planning and preparation for Marist FC's home match began shortly after the OFC announced new match schedules for Group B.
Today, sale of merchandise goods for both Marist and Ba FC's have started in a make-shift stall in the car park in front of the Lawson Tama ground.
All these activities plus the arrival of the OFC's soccer boss - President Reynald Temarii adds prominence to the highly charged soccer atmosphere already felt in the city.
Honiara city with a population of more than 50,000 residents is experiencing an influx of people mostly from the nearby islands. Flights into Honiara have also been booked out with people flocking into Honiara for this one off international match. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:46 AM |
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| SPORT: TOTORI'S early second half goal spark a dramatic comeback from 3 nil down |
NZSoccer.com
YoungHeart Manawatu came from three goals down at halftime against Hawke's Bay United to win a thrilling NZFC game in Napier on Sunday afternoon.
Manawatu's 4-3 win closes the gap at the top of the NZFC table to just two points, with three rounds left in the regular season.
League leaders Waitakere United host second placed Manawatu next weekend in a game that could well decide the NZFC minor premiership title.
Manawatu looked dead and buried at halftime in Napier, with Hawke's Bay leading 3-0 thanks to goals from Sam Messam (2) and Chris McIvor.
However a deflected strike from Manawatu's ace striker, Benjamin Totori, three minutes into the second half gave YoungHeart some hope.
Nick Roydhouse scored on 65 minutes to leave just a goal between the sides and substitute Ben Feld equalised with ten minutes to go.
With Manawatu piling pouring forward it was no surprise when another substitute, Craig Alderdice popped up in the 89th minute to send an innocuous looking header past the despairing Hawke's Bay keeper, Mitch O'Brien, for a dramatic winner.
YoungHeart Manawatu 4 (Benjamin Totori 48, Nick Roydhouse 65, Ben Feld 80, Craig Alderdice 89)
Hawke's Bay United 3 (Sam Messam 25, 41, Chris McIvor 40)
Halftime: 0-3
YoungHeart Manawatu: Phil Imray, Nelson Sale, Adam Cowan, Trent Watson, Nick Roydhouse, Alick Maemae, Tim Richardson, Ian Robinson, Ian Sandbrook, Hayden Laird, Benjamin Totori.
Substitutes: Craig Alderdice, Hayden Englefield, Shaun Van Rooyen, Ben Feld, Nathan Cooksley.
Hawke's Bay United: Mitch O'Brien, David Rayner, Phil Edginton, Ian Hogg, Dean Johnson, Ricky Gillies, Woo-Jae Kim Graham Fyfe, Chris McIvor, Jimmy Cudd, Sam Messam.
Substitutes: Scott Dunn, Michael Frischknekt, David Gearey, Regan Cameron, Willie Stanger. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:42 AM |
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| SPORT: Kumar and Finau will lead Ba's bid against Marist FC |
FijiTimes
ZANZEER SINGH
Monday, February 19, 2007
RONEEL Kumar and Peni Finau will spearhead Ba's campaign in the Oceania Football Confederation O League Championship.
Finau and Kumar were named joint captains of the Ba side for its opening O League match against Marist Football Club of the Solomon Islands today.
The Ba side left for Honiara beaming with confidence.
Ba Football Association president Rishi Kumar said the side had prepared well for the away challenge.
He said playing in the O League is a step up from the local competition.
Kumar said the team would be out to erase the loss it suffered against Makuru FC in 2005.
"The boys know that they have a tough assignment," Kumar said.
"We will be carrying the hopes of the nation. We will need the prayers of the fans in the country to perform well.
We are not only representing Ba but Fiji in the championship." Security at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara has been beefed up to prevent any disruptions.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has arranged for a local security firm to organise guards to provide additional security inside the venue as in past international matches.
It is a FIFA requirement that international football match venues are properly set up to international standards with security a top priority.
Kumar said they had been briefed about the security arrangements.
"We have friends in the Solomon islands who have been updating use regularly on the situation there," Kumar said.
"It has been raining in Honiara recently.
"We have had rain here also. The boys have practised in the rain. So if the wet weather prevails then it will not be a problem for the side."
2006 Fiji Football Association Footballer of the Year Josaia Bukalidi will be a key player for the Ba team.
Bukalidi was among the top scorers in the 2006 season.
Ba lost to Makuru 8-2 on aggregate in the 2005 playoffs for the Oceania Club Championship.
The winner of this year's O League will gain direct entry to the FIFA World Club Championship in Japan in December and receive $1.6million.
Ba made a clean sweep of all the titles on the local soccer scene last year.
The MIB are also eyeing all the titles this year and this will start with the Pillay's Garments Champion versus Champion against Suva.
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Suva and the return match will be played in Ba on March 4. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:27 AM |
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| WOMEN TOLD TO WORK ALONGSIDE CHIEFS AND LEADERS. |
SIBConline news
19:45 hrs
18/02/2007
Women in Malaita Province have been told they have a responsibility to support their provincial and chiefly leaders.
Presenting remarks of the Solomon Islands National Council of Women President, Hilda Kari urged her Malaitan counterparts to have a good working relationship with all leadership levels, including leaders of chiefly titles.
Mrs Kari's speech was presented during the Annual General Meeting of Malaita's Provincial Council of Women this week.
In her remarks, Mrs Kari reminded the women of their significance to society and encouraged them to continue to support their communities.
She also said women now live in challenging times and Solomon Islands is greatly affected by the absence of women in highest decision making bodies of the nation.
Mrs Kari encouraged the Malaitan women need to be alert and fight for what is right and beneficial for them and their children.
She said women cannot afford to just sit and do nothing. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:22 AM |
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| MALAITA POLITICAL LEADERS HELD TALKS IN HONIARA. |
SIBConline news
19:45 hrs
18/02/2007
President of the Malaita Maasina Forum Hudson Kwalea says the forum is pleased to see for the first time provincial government leaders and members of Parliament meet to discuss issues of significance to the province.
Last Saturday Malaita provincial premier and his executive met with Malaita MPs including the Deputy prime Minister and members of the Malaita Maasina Forum.
Mr Kwalea says its encouraging to see such effort because the future of Malaita Province depends on the commitment of the current members of Parliament and the Provincial Government.
He says the Malaita Maasina Forum has been receiving comments and complaints from Malaitans over the past years and such meeting was encouraging because it created a venue in which these sentiments can be released.
Mr Kwalea says during the meeting leaders have seen the need to plan ahead for the betterment of the province and the need for cooperative effort between the national and provincial governments.
He says, he hopes such meeting continues in the future. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:21 AM |
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| MALAITANS TOLD TO OPEN UP LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT. |
SIBConline news
19:45 hrs
18/02/2007
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Towell Kaua has appealed to landowners of the Auluta Basin Palm Oil project site on Malaita to take advantage of the planned development.
Speaking at the signing of land survey initiation forms for the project site in Auki, yesterday, Mr Kaua said people of the Auluta Basin had been bypassed by development for many years and they should now utilise the opportunity before them.
The survey exercise is part of the government's policy to acquire all alienated land earmarked for major development for registration before returning them to landowners for perpetual ownership.
The policy is aimed at ensuring that landowners have total ownership of developments in their land.
Mr Kaua led the government delegation to the ceremony which was marked with cultural performances by the 30 landowning groups of the palm oil project.
The delegation also included the Premier of Guadalcanal Province, Joash Salani.
Mr Kaua said the government prioritised the project and therefor maintained the previous government budget support of one and half million dollars in the 2007 budget.
Meanwhile, Malaita Premier, Richard Na’amo has applauded landowners of the Auluta Basin Palm Oil project site for allowing their land for the proposed multi-million dollar landmark venture.
Mr Na’amo was speaking at the launch of a survey for the proposed Palm Oil site in Auki yesterday.
Representatives of the 30 landowning tribes signed survey initiation forms at the ceremony giving approval for the national government to conduct a survey of their land for the major project.
Mr Na’amo said the project holds hope for the much needed employment opportunities and an economical spin-off for not only the landowners but the Province as well.
Press secretary to the Prime Minister Deli Oso quoted Malaita Provincial premier as challenging other Malaitans to allow their land for similar development undertakings to improve their welfare and the Province.
Mr Na’amo said many people had commented that land was a problem for many Malaitans and Malaitans must prove these sentiments wrong by following the footstep of the Auluta Basin landowners.
He said the proposed development in the Auluta Basin was the kind of undertaking his provincial government would pursue to address Malaita’s economical and employment problems.
The Malaitan Premier thanked the present and previous national government administrations for their support for the palm oil project. |
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| PRIME MINISTER FACES MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE. |
SIBConline news
19:45 hrs
18/02/2007
A motion of no confidence has been filed against the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The motion was filed in parliament by a member of the opposition, MP William Haomae.
The speaker of parliament, Peter Kenilorea, has released no further details.
In a meeting today between political parties in the opposition grouping have mandated the MP for South Malaita William Haomae to move the motion.
In their meeting today, the group said it will repatriate Julian Moti to Australia, re-instate Shane castles as the country's police Commissioner and Primo Afeau as the country's Attorney General.
The group also plans to increase funding towards family and community run projects in rural areas and will immediately negotiate 900-million dollars funding from the Millennium Challenge Fund from the United States. |
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| Sunday, February 18, 2007 |
| AUSTRALIA WARNS SOLOMON ISLANDS |
SIBConline news
18:37 hrs
17/02/2007
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has again warned Solomon Islands and other troubled Pacific nations that they must lift standards of governance if they want Canberra's help.
Mr Howard issued the warning after annual talks in Wellington with his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark, which focussed heavily on unstable and troubled Pacific nations.
He told reporters at a press conference following the talks that there was a very heavy focus on the challenges the two countries both have in the Pacific.
Mr Howard again said countries like Australia expected something in return when they offered Pacific nations help.
He said Australia wanted to continue to offer help through the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, RAMSI, deployed in 2003 to restore law and order.
But Mr Howard reinforced warnings he and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer made last year - that such assistance came with conditions.
He said such conditions are improved governance and economic reform.
Mr Howard said in the long run, the smaller societies of the Pacific are only going to be successful if standards of governance are lifted and there is economic growth and reform. |
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| MALAITA COUNCIL OF WOMEN |
SIBConline news
18:25 hrs
17/02/2007
Malaita's Provincial Council of women finally endorsed its constitution this week.
President of Vois Blo Mere Solomons, Josephine Teakeni describes the endorsement as a major achievement for the provincial women.
Ms Teakeni who attended the event in Auki says this is the first time a provincial council for women has taken such a step and it's a significant milestone for the Council.
The constitution was endorsed during the Council's Annual General Meeting.
During the meeting the Malaita Provincial Council of Women elected their new executive for this year 2007.
Rose Anilabata was re-elected as President, the Vice President is Elizabeth Naki and the new Secretary is Jessilyn Sogote'e.
The former treasurer Anna Saeni has also been re-appointed. |
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| Friday, February 16, 2007 |
| Summons for PM, trio |
The National Online
By JULIA DAIA BORE
SUMMONS were issued yesterday for Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe, Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Leonard Louma, and former national security advisor Joseph Assaigo to appear before the PNG Defence Force Board of Inquiry today.
The summons were issued yesterday in light of the “tell all” by Mr Assaigo in papers filed in court, which was revealed by The National yesterday.
Inquiry chairman Justice Gibbs Salika signed the summons yesterday, and they were being delivered by the military police late yesterday to the four.
The summons requires them to appear and give evidence relating to Mr Assaigo’s revelation in the court papers.
But the Prime Minister flew to Vanimo yesterday afternoon to launch a surfing competition, and will travel to Wewak after that, and may not appear, sources said.
Justice Salika said yesterday the board was taking this step as a matter of urgency arising from the court challenge by Mr Assaigo, and what he claimed in his affidavit.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Peter O’Neill believes summoning the Prime Minister to testify is necessary in light of what Mr Assaigo has claimed.
“Obviously, Mr Assaigo has now decided to come out and reveal the truth that the directive came from the PM, because his job is on the line and this must serve as a warning to other public servants,” Mr O’Neill said.
He also called on all other Government officials who had earlier appeared before the inquiry board “and gave half-truths, to now seriously reconsider their position and reappear and tell the whole truth to save their jobs. Otherwise, you are all going to fall victim like Mr Assaigo,” he said, adding that no Government department should terminate the public servants, who had been implicated in the Moti affair until the inquiry furnishes its report to the Defence Minister. |
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| Assaigo accused of lying |
The National online
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare said yesterday that former director of the Office of Security Coordination and Assessment Joseph Assaigo should be charged with perjury for lying under oath to the PNGDF Board of Inquiry.
Sir Michael said this when expressing his anger and disappointment over Mr Assaigo’s behaviour and claim.
Reacting to the front page story of The National yesterday in which Mr Assaigo claimed in papers filed in court that he (Sir Michaeal) had given the order for Julian Moti to be flown out to the Solomon Islands, Sir Michael reiterated he never gave such an order.
“I followed all the rules. I follow the Constitution. The National Security Council never sat and never gave directions to Assaigo or anyone (on Moti).
“Assaigo really should be charged for perjury, for holding the Bible and lying to the people of PNG.
“Assaigo and his team have an agenda. I don’t know Moti. I’m not a friend of Moti. I’m not a drinking mate of Moti. I’ve never worked in Honiara. I never enjoyed small drinks in hotels and pubs in Honiara with Moti,” Sir Michael said in an interview with NBC News.
“This (flying Moti out) was done by Assaigo and his group of people who felt they had the authority.
“It’s Assaigo who should be pinned down (by the inquiry),” he said, adding he could sue Assaigo for defamation.
“On that particular issue, I outlined in Parliament and the record of what I have and we will make a publication in both newspapers for people to know that I followed all the rules, all the norms of the rules in this country.
“I followed the Constitution, and my job as the chairman of National Executive Council is through the decision-making of the NEC.”
He said his directions always go through the Chief Secretary.
Sir Michael said the Chief Secretary in turn directs the Department of Prime Minister and other relevant Government departments to carry out the decisions of a cabinet.
Sir Michael also questioned the PNGDF Board of Inquiry.
“It borders on the absurd that the PNGDF Board of Inquiry is allowing itself to be the platform for mischievous persons to abuse, by disseminating lies and creating confusion over an operation that was never sanctioned by Government yet executed by officers of the public service and the PNG Defence Force whose allegations of my involvement so far have been unsubstantiated.
“I urge the board of inquiry to stick to the facts and evidence and the rules of conduct guided by the Constitution.” |
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| OFC - FIJI & SOLOMONS MOVE UP IN FIFA RANKINGS |
Oceania Soccer news
Friday, 16th February 2007
FIFA's latest world rankings saw Fiji and Solomon Islands both move up a place as Italy displaced Brazil from top spot. Fiji - ranked 154 - move to 153 despite not playing any international friendlies in 2007. Solomon Islands are ranked 161.
The rest of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) member associations experienced mixed returns with New Zealand dropping two spots to 133. Samoa and Tonga are at 189 and 190 with Cook Islands ranked 198 and American Samoa ranked 199. Vanuatu dropped one place to 167 with Tahiti and New Caledonia unchanged at 173 and 175 respectively. Papua New Guinea also remain unchanged at 177.
Brazil's reign as the number one nation lasted four years and eight months but came to an end after a 2-0 defeat against Portgual in a friendly international last week. Italy, Brazil, Argentina, France and Germany comprise the top five nations.
FIFA Coca-Cola/World Rankings - OFC member associations
133 New Zealand
153 Fiji
161 Solomon Islands
167 Vanuatu
173 Tahiti
175 New Caledonia
177 Papua New Guinea
189 Samoa
190 Tonga
198 Cook Islands
199 American Samoa |
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| Treason investigation on Qarase |
FijiLive News
Friday February 16, 2007
Fiji's deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase could be charged for treason should it be determined that he had called for armed foreign intervention to prevent the December 5 putsch, says Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Josaia Rasiga.
The police are currently conducting an investigation, which was launched after the military reported to police Qarase's request to the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers for armed assistance.
"Section 51 of the Penal Code deals with instigating invasion," Rasiga said.
"Any person who instigates a foreign intervention into your country is liable for treason, if there is evidence to prove that he did it."
Rasiga said charges would be laid when the investigators get sufficient evidence on the intervention request.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard is on the record of saying that he received a "last minute" request from Qarase of an intervention but declined because he was "not prepared to risk the lives of Australian men and women needlessly.''
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark had also received a similar, which was also declined.
Qarase has strongly denied making the request to both Australia and New Zealand saying that he had never made any calls to Howard to Clark asking for armed intervention to prevent the coup. |
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| Ministry of Education reviews education action plans |
PFnet news,
16 Friday 2007
By George Siapu
A national workshop to review various areas of strategic importance to the education sector in the country opens in Honiara today at the King Solomon Hotel.
The workshop was attended by various departmental heads of the Ministry of Education, Donor representatives from NZAID, UNICEF, JICA, EU, ROC (Taiwan), Senior Government officials and other key stakeholders.
In the course of the two-day workshop, participants will focus on the review of the Education Strategic Framework (2007-2015) and National Education Action Plan (2007-2009).
In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, Mr. Barnabas Anga revealed that a stock take analysis undertaken in 2006 on the state of progress of the 2004-2006 Education Strategic Plan (ESP) blamed the plan’s lack of progress to the non-fulfilment of the milestones.
Mr. Anga pointed out that a large portion of activities set out in the ESP 2004-2006 haven’t been implemented.
“Partly this was due to the ambitious Education Strategic Plan in relation to the local capacity to implement the Work Plan or Programs;” he said, adding that: this had necessitated the review of ESP 2004 – 2006 which culminated into the Planning documents that are before us”.
The Education Secretary stressed that the Education Strategic Framework (2007 – 2015) bolster the vision for education to develop Solomon Islanders to become individuals equipped with knowledge, skills and positive attitudes required in earning a living and more importantly living in harmony with others and their environment.
“We advocate all Solomon Islanders living in peace and harmony with fair and equitable opportunities for a better life in a progressive society”, Anga added.
Mr. Anga drew attention to the significance of the education strategic goals that included the provision of equitable access to quality education in all sub-sectors of the education system based on gender and provincial balance.
He added, “…..the Education Strategic Framework (2007 – 2015) as the overarching document provides us with the overall long term strategic directions and oversight for the education system in Solomon Islands”.
Mr. Anga then concluded by urging the participants to be focused in their deliberation of the Agenda Items of the workshop as their identification of appropriate strategic directions of the education system would assist in the setting up of medium and long term priorities for the country’s education sector.
© Government Communications Unit |
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| AUSTRALIA HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SOLOMON ISLANDS YET TO PRESENT CREDENTIALS |
SIBConline news
17:29 hrs
15/02/2007
Australia's High Commissioner designate to Solomon Islands, Peter Hooton will not present his letter of introduction to the government until both Canberra and Honiara have sorted out their diplomatic differences.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told Parliament his government wants to sort out the underlying issues that have strained the two countries relationship before Mr Hooton could present his letters of introduction to the government.
Mr Sogavare said government does not have any problems with the High Commissioner designate Mr Hooton nor his predecessor Patrick Cole.
He said the issue is very much with Australia's Prime Minister John Howard and his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer.
Mr Sogavare said his government is taking steps to arrange a face to face meeting between himself and Mr Howard.
Mr Sogavare however said it took two months for the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Victor Ngele to present his letters of introduction to Canberra.
The Prime Minister was answering a question in Parliament on why Mr Hooton had not yet presented his letters of introduction to the government.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister denies the problems between Honiara and Canberra are political.
He told Parliament the issues of contention between the two countries are diplomatic issues.
He says it would go against international norms and conventions for Canberra to involve in Solomon Islands politics and vice versa.
The Prime Minister also denied any knowledge of a withdrawal of Australian funding towards the maintenance of roads on Malaita under the Community Sector Program.
Mr Sogavare was asked by Opposition Leader Fred Fono in Parliament if he was aware of such.
But the Prime Minister said if Australia's parallel government in Solomon Islands had communicated that to the Parliamentary Opposition, then it was news to him. |
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| PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM ROVE COMPLEX |
SIBConline news
17:32 hrs
15/02/2007
Two remand prisoners from Rove Prison are on the run after escaping from their escort this morning.
Police Media office says the two, Stanley Gitoa and Willie Manedetea were on an escort for a compassionate visit to their family when they eluded their escort before midday today.
Police and prison authorities are conducting a search and are appealing to family and friends to contact the nearest police station if the men are sighted.
The media office says an investigation into the circumstances of the escape is currently underway. |
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| Thursday, February 15, 2007 |
| RATU MARA'S SON TIPPED TO RUN FOR V/PRESIDENT |
Wednesday February 14, 2007
The Fiji Military Forces has refuted claims that one of its senior officers has resigned in anticipation of being appointed Vice President of Fiji.
FMF spokesman Major Neumi Leweni said he had spoken to the head of the Third Infantry Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Uluilakeba Mara this evening who confirmed that he has not resigned nor is he planning to do so.
There are suggestions that Ratu Tevita had reportedly resigned in preparation for his appointment as VP. There are also reports that his wife had resigned from the Health Ministry and the two were on a government vessel on their way to Lau.
However, Major Leweni said he contacted Ratu Tevita who said he was in the Western Division.
Military sources said though there have been discussions in the military about Ratu Tevita being eyed for the Vice Presidency.
The senior military officer is the son of the late President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
He is also a member of the Great Council of Chiefs which is the appointing body of the President and VP.
The GCC has indicated that it will appoint a VP in a meeting next month.
Prominent Bau chief Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi resigned as VP after the December 5 coup.
Fijilive |
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| LAW FIRM PLANS TO SUE INQUIRY CHAIRMAN |
SIBConline news
19:31 hrs
14/02/2007
Papua New Guinea lawyers acting for the Solomon Islands Suspended Attorney General Julian Moti are to institute contempt proceedings against PNG Defence Board of Inquiry Chairman, Justice Gibbs Salika.
A PNG law firm acting for Mr Moti, Pena and Associates in a statement refutes the remarks which Justice Salika expressed in yesterday's National Newspaper.
The paper reports Justice Salika as having said that evidence before the inquiry suggested Moti was “not cleared” by the courts in Vanuatu and that the alleged child sex offences could land him in jail in Australia if he is found guilty.
But the law firm says Justice Salika did not bother to obtain and read copies of publicly available judicial decisions which clearly and conclusively established that Moti was exonerated of all the charges in Vanuatu.
The law firm says Justice Salika was making baseless allegations, which are contradicted by official statements issued in October last year by the Vanuatu government, the Vanuatu Police Commissioner and a former Vanuatu judicial officer.
It says while Moti's appeal against the issuance and execution of the provisional arrest warrant for his extradition to Australia remains pending, Justice Salika risks contempt action for making prejudicial comments. |
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| ISABEL PREMIER SPEAKS OUT ON RE-ARMAMENT PLAN |
SIBConline news
12:04 hrs
15/02/2007
Isabel Provincial Premier Reuben Dotho is the latest to speak out against government's re-armament plan of certain personnel protection units.
Mr Dotho says the issue is a national concern and the National Government should consult the nine provinces and others in the country to sanction it's plans of re-arming those special units.
He also asked the question on who the country was re-arming against.
Mr Dotho says his province is very concerned on the re-armament plan because the issue of arms in the communities have always been an on-going concern towards peace in the country. |
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| Wednesday, February 14, 2007 |
| SAMOAN LAWMAKER NAMED USP CHANCELLOR |
Pacific Islands Report,
14 Feb. 2007
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 13) – Samoa’s ruling Human Rights Protection Party, Member of Parliament, and minister of Women’s Affairs, Ms. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, is the new Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific.
Fiame was the minister of Education for more than ten years.
LAUTV has reported that the MP’s mother and first Samoan woman to enter politics, La’ulu Fetauimalemau Mata’afa, was the first Pacific woman to become Chancellor of the University back in the early seventies.
Fiame Naomi, was the first woman MP appointed to the cabinet during the late Prime Minister, Tofilau Eti Alesana’s, administration.
She heads the USP Council that includes the new minister of education, To’omata Alapati Po’ese |
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| Opposition calls on govt to sack Acting AG |
PFnet news
14/02/2007
The Parliamentary Opposition has called on the government to terminate the engagement of the Acting Attorney General because of her decision to drop serious charges against a Cabinet Minister and a relative.
Opposition Leader Fred Fono in a statement said the decision by Acting Attorney General Nuatali Tongarutu to drop the serious charges against the Minister of Commerce, Industries and Employment, Peter Shanel and her brother, Pastor Joseph Douglas amounts to misconduct in office.
And he adds if her decision had been both political and personal, then she is not fit to hold the post of the Attorney General.
It had been alleged that she made the decision when she acted as Director of Public Prosecutions in the absence of the substantial holder who was on his annual leave in the Western Province.
He said as the Attorney General is the Government's chief legal advisor, it is appropriate that a neutral lawyer should hold the post, therefore Mrs. Tongarutu's term as Acting Attorney General should be shortened.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fono joins the Transparency Solomon Islands in commending the DPP, Ronald Bei Talasasa for his courage to re-lay the charges against Mr. Shanel.
© Office of the Leader of the Opposition |
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| GUADALCANAL NGO WANT MINISTERS TO LEAVE GOVERNMENT. |
SIBConline news
12:00 hrs
14/02/2007
The Guadalcanal Civil society Network is calling on the eight Guadalcanal members of Parliament to withdraw their support for Prime Minister Sogavare and his government.
A spokesman for the group Stanley Vutiande says the group is making the call saying the people of Guadalcanal believe the government's agenda is a threat to them and their future.
The agenda includes the government's plans to kick out the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI.
The others are plans to rearm the PM’s security personnel and bodyguards, many of whom are former militants and the training of police in Taiwan for use as a security force controlled by the Prime Minister.
Mr Vutiande says the Guadalcanal people support RAMSI and like the mission to stay.
He says RAMSI has brought back law and order to Solomon Islands. |
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| WESTERN PROVINCE WANT A STOP TO GUNS OR IT WILL BREAK AWAY. |
SIBConline news
12:00 hrs
14/02/2007
Western Province has threatened to break away from Solomon Islands if the government goes ahead with its plan to re-arm the police.
Premier Alex Lokopio says his province slams the government's plan to re-arm the police saying it's a move in the wrong direction.
He sounds the warning in a statement following Guadalcanal's stated opposition to plans to re-arm the police forces.
Premier Lokopio says the Government's plan to re-arm its force is a sign of the government's lack of confidence to address the much awaited state government.
He says the return of guns will divide Solomon Islands further as experienced during the ethnic tension.
Mr Lokopio says his government does not support guns in the communities.
He says the people have given the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands the mandate to ensure there is no more guns in the country.
The Western Premier says the National Government re-armament initiative will work directly against our quest for National Unity. |
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| Mugabe's $1000 note is already a waste of money |
Sydney Herald News
Peta Thornycroft in Johannesburg
February 14, 2007
INFLATION in Zimbabwe has reached such proportions that it destroyed the value of a new national currency before a single one of its banknotes had been spent. The largest note, $Z1000, buys just one tomato.
The world's highest inflation rate, which rose to a record 1594 per cent on Monday, rendered the new money worthless before it could be distributed. Mounds of banknotes - all paid for in scarce hard currency - are lying unused in warehouses.
The regime of the President, Robert Mugabe, ordered the new money in 2004. At that time, inflation was a relatively modest 400 per cent and Mr Mugabe was anxious to avoid the impression of economic chaos.
The information minister at the time, Jonathan Moyo, disclosed that Mr Mugabe had personally insisted that a banknote of $Z1000 could be the highest denomination of the new currency.
"In early 2004 Mugabe thought that inflation had been conquered and he refused to allow notes of a value higher," Mr Moyo said. Yet by the time the new currency had been designed, printed and delivered, the $Z1000 banknote had a purchasing power of about 23 cents. Today, it would be just enough to buy a box of matches.
Rather than release a currency whose largest banknote is roughly the value of a tomato, the Reserve Bank simply stockpiled the useless money.
At present, prices in Zimbabwe double roughly every 30 days. Food prices are thought to be rising even faster than the general inflation rate. One supermarket chain estimated that grocery inflation was running at about 3000 per cent and predicted that food prices would be changing hourly by May.
"To survive, we have to increase prices every time new stock arrives," the owner of one Harare supermarket said.
Inflation began accelerating after the Mugabe regime crippled commercial agriculture - Zimbabwe's biggest export earner - by seizing farms owned by Caucasians.
Having disabled the engine of the economy and destroyed its tax base, the Government resorted to printing money to pay its own bills. This boosted inflation and drove down the value of the currency. Prices soared in 2005, when Mr Mugabe repaid Zimbabwe's debts to the International Monetary Fund. The Reserve Bank accomplished this feat by the simple expedient of printing about $Z21 trillion.
Last week 180,000 civil servants, who had their salaries trebled in January, demanded another increase of 400 per cent. This would keep their earnings just above $US1 ($1.30) a day - the internationally accepted measure of absolute poverty. But the value of a 400 per cent pay rise will be wiped out within four months.
The regime has announced meanwhile, that it will spend more than $1.5 million on national celebrations to mark Mr Mugabe's 83rd birthday on February 21. Zimbabwe's public are being asked to make donations. |
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| ANZ opens new upgraded branch-in-a-box in Auki |
PFnet news,
14/2/07
ANZ have used the latest ‘branch-in-a box’ technology to upgrade their branch and services in Auki, Malaita Province.
Relocated to the ground floor of the ultra modern Tropic Aluminium & Glass building, the re-located branch has more tellers and more services to offer customers from Auki and around the province.
The new branch also contains the first ever ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) in the province.
“I believe ANZ sets the standard now in Auki and even in the Solomon Islands amongst the Banks,” ANZ Auki branch manager, Agnes Ludawane said this week.
"We are very different and stand out from the rest. We love it."
The Auki branch is the first ‘branch in a box’ to be built in the pacific.
This means that all the fixtures, fittings and furniture were shipped in a box directly to the location where they were incorporated into the new building.
ANZ General Manager Tait Jenkins said ANZ was very proud to be making banking history in Malaita.
“Using the ‘branch in a box’ means we are able to use ANZ’s latest design principles and the most up to date look and feel, so the new Auki branch is consistent with any other new ANZ branch anywhere else in the world,” Mr Jenkin said.
The sales and service area is considerably more modern with open plan desks, counters and furniture. Staff also have up-to-date facilities, which include kitchen facilities, meeting areas and a breakout space.
"It is much better than the old building, top security, comfortable chairs and very nice teller units, one of the ANZ tellers in Auki said. “The new branch is very comfortable to work in.”
Customers including Bishop Terry Brown are also well pleased with the branches new facilities.
“Its a great improvement from the old building; a very nice environment for customers," Bishop Brown said.
Another customer Augustine Faliomea said: "This is the best set up, great service. This will certainly attract customers."
The introduction of the first-ever after-hours banking services through the branches new ATM is also expected to bring a lot of new customers to the branch.
The Automatic Teller Machine will provide 24 hour banking services to all ANZ customers including withdrawing cash, depositing into accounts, paying phone and power bills and checking their account balances.
Mr Jenkin said that the ATM will also assist during normal banking hours acting like an extra teller which should help to shorten bank queues.
“The new branch is far more spacious and comfortable for ANZ customers and has waiting areas for customers, but the most significant improvement is the ATM which will provide the people of Malaita with access to their wages and savings 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.”
“This investment is further evidence of ANZ's ongoing commitment to the Solomon Islands and its desire to improve banking services in the provinces where ever we can,” Mr Jenkin said.
ANZ aims to provide its Auki customers with a professional banking service that it is convenient, fast and is value for money he said.
“It’s tangible evidence not only of our commitment but our belief in Solomon Islands and its people,” he said.
© Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited |
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| POLICE ARREST AUSTRALIAN IN POSSESSION OF GOLD |
SIBCOnline news
18:31 hrs
13/02/2007
A 37 year old Australian man was arrested in Honiara yesterday afternoon for allegedly being in possession of gold without a licence.
Police Media Office says the Solomon Islands Police have laid six charges against the man relating to the alleged illegal purchase of gold.
The media office says the man was placed in the Central Police cells and was later found to be in need of medical attention.
Initial medical reports indicate that the man may have been suffering a pre existing medical condition.
The media office says in line with Standard Operating Procedures a vigorous and robust internal investigation has started.
Police have not revealed how much gold was allegedly involved in the purchase. |
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| PARLIAMENT PASSES 2007 BUDGET |
SIBConline news
18:36 hrs
13/02/2007
Parliament today unanimously passed the 2007 national budget in its second reading.
Moved by the Finance and Treasury Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo last Tuesday, it took members of Parliament five days to contribute to the debate.
The estimated one-billion dollar budget is focused on rural development.
In winding the debate late this afternoon, Mr Lilo said, the initiative is to kick start development in rural areas by providing funds to certain sectors.
Mr Lilo said there maybe not enough funds to make every one happy but at least this is a start.
He said rural development concept is not new but the government is taking on board what had been achieved and build on them.
The debate on the budget will continue tomorrow in the Committee of Supply stage.
The budget should reach its final stage of parliamentary approval next week. |
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| Tuesday, February 13, 2007 |
| PETROL PRICES INCREASE IN HONIARA |
SIBConline news
18:39 hrs
13/02/2007
Recent fluctuations in import prices of petroleum products - kerosene, diesel and petrol - have resulted in new prices imposed for Honiara service stations.
Commerce, Employment and Industries Minister, Peter Shanel announced the new prices following a review on landed costs of petroleum products delivered to Honiara in December year.
For retail customers, petrol will cost six dollars per litre, diesel - six dollars and four cents per litre and kerosene will cost six dollars and eighty-one cents per litre.
The new prices were implemented at the beginning of this month.
Minister Shanel says traders of petrol, kerosene and diesel in the provincial and rural areas need to let their customers know of the price changes when they receive their new stock. |
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| Police mission to Solomons at risk of collapse |
The Sydney Morning Herald News,
Cynthia Banham and Craig Skehan
February 10, 2007
THE Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands is close to breakdown, with the Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, taking the unprecedented step of appealing directly to the people of the Solomons to stop their Government from expelling the regional police force.
With communication lines broken between Australia and the Solomons Prime Minister, Manessah Sogavare, Mr Downer published his appeal in an open letter in the country's media.
The move has infuriated Mr Sogavare, who complained yesterday that Mr Downer was infringing national sovereignty.
"He is very angry about this," said Mr Sogavare's spokeswoman, Deli Oso. "Australia has no right to communicate directly with the people. The correct channel is through our foreign affairs department."
The Howard Government believes Mr Sogavare is deliberately creating conditions to make it impossible for RAMSI, the regional police force, to continue working in the Solomons.
This includes its refusal to approve the visas of officials, its threats to repeal the act allowing RAMSI to operate in the country, and its re-arming of the Solomons police force.
Australia is particularly concerned about the implications of re-arming the police. On Wednesday, the Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Mick Keelty, who recently branded the Solomons Government as either corrupt or incompetent, warned that reissued weapons could be abused.
If Mr Sogavare persists, it could result in the end of RAMSI. The looming scenario is a meeting of the mission's member states at which a collective decision would be made to pull out. Such a scenario, the Herald understands, could unfold very quickly.
Mr Sogavare's Government has already withheld approval of the visas of 13 spouses and dependents of RAMSI personnel from Australia and New Zealand.
Australia is also extremely frustrated by the refusal of the Sogavare Government to meet its officials, including Canberra's new high commissioner, Peter Hooton, who has been in Honiara for three weeks.
The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, Patteson Oti, are also refusing to meet Australian officials who want an explanation for the expulsion of the Australian Solomons police commissioner, Shane Castles.
Mr Sogavare's office denied there had been a deliberate snub of Mr Hooton, arguing that the Government had been busy preparing the annual budget.
Mr Downer told the ABC in an interview broadcast throughout the Pacific last night that "ordinary people" supported RAMSI, and the improvements in security it had achieved, but "political elites" were resistant.
"In the Solomon Islands … the Government is trying to dilute the influence and the effectiveness of RAMSI, which is just about good governance, about helping ordinary people's lives," Mr Downer said.
He said Australia had "come up against a prime minister and a foreign minister who want to return to what Solomon Islands was like before RAMSI came in".
"It is Mr Sogavare's view that it would be better to get rid of RAMSI and to go back to the situation where the country was basically run by the Malaitan Eagle Force," he said.
The Solomons Government has recently made several claims to discredit RAMSI, including that prostitution was allowed on its premises and that Australia was behind a plot to assassinate Mr Sogavare. These claims were not only untrue but a "grave insult to the people and the Government of Australia", Mr Downer said.
Protesters in Honiara distributed leaflets opposing the re-arming of police. Church and community groups have been campaigning on the issue and trade unions are threatening to call a national strike to force the Government to back down.
But Mr Sogavare said he did not want to be dependent on what he regards as the excessively Australian-dominated regional police force, noting it had failed to stop riots last April.
He accused Australia of bullying and trying to "systematically destroy" the Solomons police force. |
| posted by administrator @ 3:22 PM |
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| Assassination claims faces credibility problems |
PFnet news
13 February 2007
There are now serious doubts about the credibility of claims by the Police that the Australian government has sponsored an Australian Vietnam war veteran, Bill Johnson to assassinate Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
This follows the unusual step which the Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa took in open court last week not only to support Bill Johnson’s bail application, but Mr. Talasasa also attacked the credibility of the police claims of an Australian assassination plot to kill Prime Minister Sogavare, casting serious doubts about the assassination claim as a possible make up story.
Instead of supporting the police, the unusual step taken in open court by the Government’s Chief Prosecutor, Mr. Talasasa to attack the police investigations is likely to add credibility to the Opposition claim that the assassination claim has been made up to support the push by the Sogavare government to re-arm the Solomon Islands Police. The Government’s push re-arm the Solomon Islands Police has been opposed outright by the majority of the people of Solomon Islands. The Australian Government has also opposed re-arming the police.
The unusual step which Mr. Talasasa had taken in court may be confirming rumours of rising tension between the Director of Public Prosecution and the Acting Attorney General Mrs. Nuatali Tongarutu over respective roles and functions and Mrs. Tongarutu’s involvement in dealing with a number of recent controversial court cases.
The credibility of the case against Bill Johnson has come into serious questions after Mr. Talasasa took the unusual step in criticizing the criminal justice system of the country in the open court last week saying, “I would like to emphasise strongly that the criminal justice system in this country will not be allowed to be tainted to satisfy other people’s vendetta and, more so for police to make up stories.”
National Express understands that the court was told Johnson had allegedly planned the crime with four other unnamed people to assassinate the Prime Minister between the 18th and 23rd of January during a meeting at a Honiara motel.
But after he was arrested and appeared in the Honiara Magistrate Court Tuesday last week, he was charged and then released on bail after Solomon Islands Chief Prosecutor Talasasa supported the accused on the grounds of controversial police evidence saying the local police witnesses gave contradictory evidence against Mr. Johnson during the subsequent investigations.
Mr. Talasasa said: “It is very serious and the Director of Public Prosecution will not tolerate police personnel to concoct stories to satisfy their own personal interests.”
He went on to say: “I would like to emphasise strongly that the criminal justice system in this country will not be allowed to be tainted to satisfy other people’s vendetta and more so for police to make up stories.”
But in response to Mr. Talasasa’s statement in court, the Prime Minister and his government stated that it is a serious matter of concern.
More serious is the fact that the statement comes from the country’s Director of Public Prosecution. They questioned why police officers who made the original statements of their own free will now alleged to have altered their positions and been accused of making false statements?
Why were the investigations into the matter right from the beginning directed at the police officers rather than the alleged crime? Why is it that the alleged plot, which was disclosed by the accused himself of his own free will to a senior on duty police officer in a meeting organised at the request of the accused in a government office, is widely publicised as not credible because the man is described as “a happy drunk”?
In the statement, Mr. Sogavare stated that he is “personally insulted by the opposition’s statement that the allegation may have been framed to build support for the government’s plan to rearm the Close Protection Unit and seriously concerned about the serious implications of the sweeping statement by the DPP that the allegation was fabricated at the design of some authorities for their personal gain”.
The matter is now before the court but the Prime Minister said the allegations are serious and the government will not rest until they establish the motives and reasons behind why the DPP dared to make such statement when his office has yet to fully establish the truth behind the matter, especially when the case is still under investigation.
© The National Express |
| posted by administrator @ 2:11 PM |
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| Cop linked to Moti |
Post Courier,
13/2/07
THE Defence Force board of inquiry has questioned southern region police commander Tony Wagambie over continuous telephone conversations between him and top Government security advisor Joseph Assaigo.
The mobile phone calls were allegedly made in the lead-up to and after Australian lawyer Julian Moti’s clandestine escape to the Solomon Islands last October.
Records from Pacific Mobile communications on mobile phone calls showed that between October 1 and 10 Mr Wagambie and Mr Assaigo spoke to each other four to five times a day through their mobile phones.
The records also showed that Mr Assaigo and Mr Wagambie spoke for two minutes at 11pm on October 9, three hours before Moti escaped.
That was the last call for the month and the next time they called each other was on November 22.
“The calls were consistent and my proposition is that all the calls related to Moti,” said John Kawi senior counsel assisting the inquiry.
But Mr Wagambie quickly brushed the charge aside saying: “I cannot agree with that. I cannot remember anything about Moti in our conversation.”
He said he could not recall or remember what was discussed during the consistent conversation.
“But if it was concerning Moti, I would definitely remember it,” Mr Wagambie said.
He also told the inquiry that neither the NCD police of the southern region mobile squad were involved in escorting Julian Moti to the airport on the early hours of October 10 last year.
“I’m not aware of any police involvement in escorting Mr Moti to the airport but such operation can be secretly carried out by police personnel without the people at the top knowing,” Mr Wagambie said.
He also produced a letter from the mobile squad commander rejecting any involvement in escorting Moti to the airport.
Mr Wagambie said there were no internal police investigations into the Moti saga. |
| posted by administrator @ 9:00 AM |
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| Michael Leong and Mates find it difficult in the Davis Cup |
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
THE Pacific Oceania team failed to find its form in its Davis Cup qualifying fixture against New Zealand over the weekend.
The side, captained by Jeff Race of the Northern Mariana Islands, lost 5-0 to the powerful Kiwis.
In the singles competition West Nott went down to Dan King-Turner in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Michael Leong lost his encounter to Simon Rea 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
In the doubles competition Pacific Oceania's combination of Juan Langton and Leong came up short against King-Turner and Rea.
The Kiwis won 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.
Langton also lost his singles fixture against Rubin Statham 7-6, 6-1.
No players from Fiji were selected in the Pacific Oceania side.
Former national champion Sanjeev Tikaram was part of the training squad last year but pulled out due to work commitments in Australia. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:45 AM |
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| Australia lobbied IMF for Fiji's suspension |
FijiLive News
Tuesday February 13, 2007
Fiji's interim finance minister Mahendra Chaudhry has confirmed reports that Australia had tried to influence members of the International Monetary Fund to suspend Fiji's membership.
There are reports that Australian government representatives tried to lobby member IMF countries to suspend Fiji but this failed when it could not get the appropriate support.
The International Monetary Fund is an international organisation with 185 member countries and functions to promote international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and to provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment.
Chaudhry said that this action by Australia is an attack on Fiji's sovereignty and "raises serious questions, about whether Australia is Fiji's friend or foe".
He said the effects of suspension from IMF on Fiji's economy would have been drastic and cited hypocrisy on Australia's part as they did not take similar actions against Thailand and Pakistan that also went through military coups. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:19 AM |
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| ANTI-CORRUPTION BODY COMMENTS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION |
18:32 hrs
12/02/2007
The local anti-corruption body, Transparency Solomon Islands commends the Director of Public Prosecution, Ronald Bei Talasasa for again laying charges against a government minister.
Charges against the minister for Commerce, Industry and Employment Peter Shanel were dropped last month by the acting Attorney General when she stood in for the DPP.
Minister Shanel has been charged for perverting the course of justice, misleading a police officer and misleading a public servant.
The charges were in relation to the issuing of an exemption order to allow suspended Attorney General Julian Moti to enter Solomon Islands without a passport or a travel document.
Transparency Solomon Islands accused the acting Attorney General of threatening the independence of the country's legal system.
TSI however says the DPP is protecting the legal system through his actions.
Meanwhile, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution has confirmed it has reactivated charges against the Commerce, Industry and Employment minister.
But the DDP's office says charges which the acting Attorney General had dropped against her own brother have not been reactivated based on a legal point.
Transparency Solomon Islands has claimed the actions of the acting Attorney General were now being treated by legal authorities as a case of misconduct in office.
SIBC News however could not confirm whether any such action is being taken. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:15 AM |
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| Monday, February 12, 2007 |
| CONSULTATION ON RAMSI |
SIBConline news
18:34 hrs
12/02/2007
Chairman of the consultation talks between RAMSI and Solomon Islands, has urged both parties to be more constructive and less accusatory in their discussions.
Chairman of the talks and Papua New Guinea's Foreign Secretary, Gabriel Pepson made the remarks at the opening of the one-day meeting of the parties today.
Mr Pepson said the Pacific Islands Forum in its role is impartial and it will urge the Solomon Islands government to address any concerns raised by the Regional Assistance Mission.
He also said the same level of attention will be given to concerns raised by the Solomon Islands government.
"I wish to urge both the Solomon Islands government and RAMSI to air your concerns in a constructive manner leaving out any finger-pointing. I believe the Forum team is impartial and we are keen to take up RAMSI's concern and urge Solomon Islands to address them. At the same time it is incumbent upon the Forum team to ensure any possible concern by the Solomon Islands government are also taken up and also given the same level of attention." |
| posted by administrator @ 5:30 PM |
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| Menapi scores last goal as Waitakere go four points clear |
NZ Herald,
Monday February 12, 2007
By Terry Maddaford
Waitakere United continue to play their version of the quiz show What Happened Next in their chase for the New Zealand Football Championship.
The only trouble is everyone knows the answer.
Playing Team Wellington in the match of the 17th round at Trusts Stadium yesterday, United cruised to a 2-0 lead inside two minutes. They then headed into all-too-familiar territory by switching off and welcoming their opponents back into the game. The visitors closed to 2-1 and with Waitakere adding a third, 3-2 before the home side managed to win 4-2 but needing a couple of superb Simon Eaddy saves to achieve that.
The win, which leaves the Danny Hay-led side four points clear of YoungHeart Manawatu at the top of the table as they contemplate what could be the defining match of the season against Auckland City at Kiwitea St on Sunday, capped a good day for the West Aucklanders after their youngsters had beaten Team Wellington 5-2 in the curtainraiser.
That victory, in the third round of the Lion Foundation youth league, catapulted Waitakere to the top of the table on goal difference from Canterbury United and Auckland City with all three teams unbeaten.
Waitakere's joy became even greater after the NZFC clash between Hawkes Bay United and City at Park Island saw the points shared in a 2-2 draw which leaves City, the defending champions, eight points adrift but with a game (against Team Wellington) in hand.
The latecomers at Trusts Stadium missed a firecracker start as Commins Menapi headed home after good work from Allan Pearce and Craig Wylie inside two minutes and Menapi played a good ball into new signing Michael White, who carved through the Team Wellington defence to score a fifth-minute cracker.
In the 23rd minute Wiremu Patrick played in a freekick. In attempting to clear, Jason Rowley brought down Matt Adams. The penalty was hit home by Graham Little and four minutes later he was denied an equaliser by Eaddy.
The home side sealed it a minute into stoppage time when, from a Team Wellington corner, White and Sinkora broke away to provide the build-up and Menapi the finish for 4-2.
United coach Steve Cain said: "I'm happy with three points. The game was probably won in the opening 10 minutes. But, congratulations to Team Wellington. They came back well ... Given space, they can be the most dangerous team in the league."
Elsewhere, Canterbury edged home 1-0 over Waikato FC, Napier and Hawkes Bay drew 2-2, Otago United lost 1-0 to Manawatu. That was enough to keep Manawatu in second place and push Otago to the bottom of the table. |
| posted by administrator @ 10:16 AM |
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| PM Sogavare lashes out at 'bully' Australia |
Islands Business News,
Mr Sogavare said the government was concerned that Johnson's case was being “poorly handled by the police and allowed to fall into the hands of Australian officers, who could be perceived to have serious conflict of interest issues”.
Sydney Morning Herald/ Pacnews
Fri, 9 Feb 2007
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS ---- Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has attacked prosecutors and police handling an alleged assassination plot against him, and has also taken another swipe at Australia, Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Australian Vietnam war veteran Bill Johnson, 61, was granted bail on Wednesday after being charged with plotting to kill Mr Sogavare.
Johnson has denied the charges, allegedly hatched during a drinking session at a Honiara motel. Locals have characterised the Solomons resident as a happy drunk whose drunken ramblings should not have been taken seriously.
Johnson was charged late last month, as Sogavare pushed to re-arm Solomons police starting with his own personal protection unit.
The plan is fiercely opposed by the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomons Islands (RAMSI), which disarmed Solomons police in 2003 following years of ethnic tension, some of it involving police.
When Johnson faced court yesterday, the Solomons Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Ronald Talasasa said his department would not tolerate police concocting stories for their own agendas.
“I would like to emphasise very strongly that the criminal justice system in this country will not be allowed to be interfered with, to be tainted, to satisfy people's personal vendettas, more so for police to make up stories,” Mr Talasasa said.
Mr Sogavare hit back today, saying Talasasa's comments were very serious.
“The allegation this week that the criminal justice system in this country has been interfered with and tainted to satisfy people's vendettas is a serious matter for concern,” he said in a statement.
“These are very serious allegations and the government will not rest until we establish the motives and reasons behind why the DPP dared to make such a public statement when that office has yet to fully establish the truth behind the matter “
He said he was “personally insulted” by opposition suggestions that the allegations against Johnson had been “framed to build support for the government's plan to re-arm the (police) Close Protection Unit”.
Mr Sogavare said the government was concerned that Johnson's case was being “poorly handled by the police and allowed to fall into the hands of Australian officers, who could be perceived to have serious conflict of interest issues”.
It is the latest swipe Sogavare has taken against Australia, who he accuses of being a bully in the Pacific region.
He has previously accused Australians serving with RAMSI of pushing Canberra's agenda in his country, and last year threatened to oust Australians working with the mission.
Earlier today, trade unions in the Solomons threatened a nationwide strike to protest against Mr Sogavare’s plan to re-arm police.
The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) said it was planning a nationwide strike if the government continued to ignore the wishes of the people and put guns back in the hands of police
SICTU national secretary Tony Kagovai said all nine affiliates making up the council, including teachers, nurses and doctors, had very strong feedback from their members that people were fiercely opposed to rearmament. |
| posted by administrator @ 10:10 AM |
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| MALAITA PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT BELIEVES IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY |
SIBCOnline news
19:07 hrs
10/02/2007
Malaita Premier Richard Naamo Irosaea says the present national governments' rural development policies will help his government develop the province to a level that will be beneficial to rural Malaitans.
Speaking yesterday to SIBC News Mr Irosaea said his government plans to work with the national government in the implementation of its 'bottom-up' development to help improve the standard of living of the people of Malaita.
The Malaita Premier said he will ensure his government ministers and officials keep up with the national government's rural development plans for the Province.
"With the present government's policy we hope that close involvement with this development process, we will be able to design some meaningful development programmes for our people of Malaita. This way we can contribute to the development of Solomon Islands. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:46 AM |
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| FORMER PM SPEAKS OUT ON SECRET FLIGHT |
SIBConline news
19:13 hrs
10/02/2007
Former Prime Minister and member of Parliament for Savo and Russells, Sir Allan Kemakeza, has said the government has mishandled the issue of the secret flight into Solomon Islands of the suspended Attorney General, Julian Moti, in October last year.
Speaking in Parliament this week on the motion seeking the government to allow the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Commission of Inquiry to come to Solomon Islands to do further investigation, Sir Allan said the people of the country want to see this done.
Sir Allan said the Moti saga and other issues had worsen the deteriorating diplomatic row between Solomon Islands and Australia.
He said soon neighbouring countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group including Vanuatu, the Pacific Forum and the Commonwealth will be dragged into the issue.
Sir Allan said the issue has destroyed the good image of Solomon Islands both nationally and internationally.
"For the sake of one person the whole country suffers. That is the true message. And I question, what is so special about this person. What is so special about this person Mr Speaker, that will destroy the good image of this country, is causing much discussions among the people, and that the Trade Unions are moving in."
Sir Allan warned Parliament that if the government does not handle the situation well, it will destroy the country. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:44 AM |
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| OPPOSITION TO RE-ARMING MOTION DEFEATED IN PARLIAMENT. |
SIBConline news
18:30 hrs
11/02/2007
A motion calling on the government to delay re-arming police force and the Prime minister's Close Protection Unit was defeated in Parliament last Friday.
Moved by the Leader of Opposition Fred Fono, the motion wanted the government to refrain from its plan to re-arm the police force because it poses great danger and that the timing of such an exercise is premature.
Mr Fono said many Solomon Islanders who are victims of the ethnic tension fear that re-armament would create what they had gone through.
He said what the government should be more concerned about is reconciliation, not re-arming.
The minister for Police and National Security Isaac Inoke said that because police was not armed, the rioting took place in April last year.
He said the re-arming policy will be only for a small unit and not the whole of the Police force.
He said, it is the duty of the Police to protect and give security to dignitaries including the Prime minister and the Governor general and visiting dignitaries from overseas.
Prime minister Manasseh Sogavare said Solomon Islands as a nation has the right under its constitution to arm its police.
The Motion was defeated by 27 votes to 19. Three MPs were absent and one had abstained from voting. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:42 AM |
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| TRANSPARENCY SOLOMON ISLANDS ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF TRYING TO BREAK THE LAWS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS. |
SIBConline news
18:30 hrs
11/02/2007
Transparency Solomon Islands,TSI has accused government of working to wreck the rule of law and the country's legal system.
TSI has cited a series of actions by the government which the anti-corruption body says is already threatening the independence of the Solomon Islands's legal system.
It says the most blatant and shocking example of such was a decision by the acting Attorney General last month to drop serious charges against the minister for Commerce, Industries and Employment Peter Shanel.
TSI says the acting Attorney General also dropped charges against her own brother, who is a senior officer in the Prime Minister's Socred Party.
The anti-corruption body claims these decisions were taken to serve personal and political interests.
In a strongly worded statement, TSI says this is a clear abuse of office, which goes against all principles of the rule of law.
It says the acting Attorney General dropped charges against both men by invoking a provision in the constitution that provides for the Attorney General to act as Director of Public Prosecution in the absence of the DPP.
TSI says the DPP was present in the country at that time.
SIBC News understands Minister Shanel was charged in relation to the arrival of Australian lawyer, Julian Moti last October.
It is however not clear what charges the brother of the acting Attorney General was facing. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:40 AM |
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| Australia appeals for Solomons' support |
IOL News,
February 09 2007 at 12:13PM
Canberra - Australia made a direct appeal to the people of the Solomon Islands on Friday to support its plan to maintain peace and order in the troubled nation as government-to-government relations hit a new low.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer wrote an open letter to Solomon Islanders, published in Friday's Solomons Star newspaper, in a move likely to anger Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is critical of Australia's involvement in his country's affairs.
Downer's blunt letter said government institutions in the Solomon Islands were being undermined, and there had been a deliberate attempt to undermine the regional assistance mission, known as RAMSI, designed to save the country from collapse.
"It would seem that the Solomon Islands is once again at a crossroads," Downer wrote, adding he was confident the vast majority of Solomon Islanders supported the RAMSI mission.
"I also know each and every one of you remember only too well the fear and intimidation, the breakdown in basic services, the closure of hospitals, schools and medical clinics, the hopelessness that took over so many lives."
Canberra is spending about AUS$840-million (about R4-billion) to maintain peace in the Solomons after the nation went close to collapse due to ethnic violence and mismanagement.
Just last March Australia sent about 500 extra troops and police to the capital, Honiara, to quell riots that destroyed Chinese businesses following Solomons elections, and still has about 130 police and troops in the country.
New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea have also contributed forces to the RAMSI mission.
But the bilateral relationship between Australia and the Solomons has collapsed since Sogavare appointed an Australian citizen, wanted at home on child sex charges, as his new attorney-general, and then expelled Canberra's top diplomat.
Australia has appointed a new High Commissioner to Honiara, but Sogavare has said he is too busy to receive his credentials, effectively stopping the diplomat from beginning work.
Downer said a Solomon Islands government plan to re-arm its local police force was also a major concern.
"Australia wants to continue to help Solomon Islands face the challenges of your nation's future. But we are finding this increasingly difficult due to the obstacles being placed in our path," he said. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:33 AM |
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| Tikotikoca seeks clarification on job |
FijiLive.com
Sunday February 11, 2007
Police Commissioner Romanu Tikotikoca (l) with Lt Col Jimi Koroi
Fiji’s acting Police Commissioner Romanu Tikotikoca will meet the Constitutional Offices Commission to clarify his recent appointment.
Tikotikoca said he was initially offered the Commissioner of Police position by the acting Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and was shocked to be appointed acting Commissioner instead.
On a Fijian TV talkback show, Tikotikoca said he was not sure if his appointment was a joke and will clarify this with the Constitution Offices Commission.
"I wouldn’t have left my job in the Solomon Islands if I knew this would happen and I need to clarify this with them."
Tikotikoca said when he received his letter of appointment from the Commission he was surprised that there was no confirmation of the duration of his appointment and the salary package.
"I took this job because I knew I was able to carry on from where Andrew Hughes the former Commissioner left of."
"I have thirty years of experience and I have been given the task to head more than 4000 police officers which is not an easy task," Tikotikoca said.
He added that he will seek further clarification from the Commission on Wednesday.
Hughes employment was terminated after the December 5 coup and Lieutenant Colonel Jimi Koroi was appointed acting Commissioner.
Tikotikoca succeeds Lt Col Koroi who is likely to be appointed a deputy Police Commissioner.
Tikotikoca was until recently head of security at the Gold Ridge Mines in the Solomon Islands.
He had resigned from the Fiji Police Force to take up that appointment.
Fijilive |
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| Friday, February 09, 2007 |
| Keelty critical of Solomons plans to rearm force |
Island Business News
ABC/ Pacnews
Thu, 8 Feb 2007
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA ----
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty says the rearming of the Solomon Islands police force is a step back and will bring new problems to the conflict-ridden nation, ABC reports.
Last week the Solomon Islands Government confirmed plans to reform and rearm all police units which had been disbanded by the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Mr Keelty said it was an unwise move.
"They are in a development phase and they need all the support they can possibly get," he said.
"The last thing they need is a case of weapons, that is either going to be vulnerable to theft by members of the community or vulnerable to abuse by elements of either the military or the police force." |
| posted by administrator @ 10:43 AM |
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| Police investigate death of Chinese engineer in Samoa |
IslandsBusiness News
RNZI/ Pacnews
Fri, 9 Feb 2007
APIA, SAMOA ----
The police in Samoa are investigating the cause of death of a Chinese engineer who was killed instantly when he fell from a machine being used to install beams for a new sports building in Apia.
Radio New Zealand International reports the building was part of the Apia Park stadium being built by China for the up-coming Pacific Games. Another Chinese engineer was in hospital after being severely injured in the same incident, while a Samoan worker was also hurt.
The accident occurred as work at the site has been sped up to ensure it is completed in time for the games. |
| posted by administrator @ 10:39 AM |
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| Success to determine customary land recording extension |
By George Herming
The success of the pilot project to register customary land on Malaita’s Eastern region will determine the extension of the project around the country.
The Permanent Secretary of Lands & Survey, Charles Viva, said the surveying of customary land in Auluta basin, East Malaita will begin in the middle of this month.He said 23 tribal groups have reached a consensus on the boundaries marking their land and once it was registered, it would be acquired by the Commissioner of Lands for development.
Mr Viva said the acquisition is necessary until the Tribal and Customary Land Titles Act is passed by parliament.The permanent secretary said up to then, a deed would be signed so landowners could reclaim their land.
"In fact, this legislation is put in place to ensure security of customary land so there is no anticipation of further alienating land from the landowners. “It's actually trying to empower them so that they will become registered owner of their own land."
Mr Viva said if this pilot project is successful, they may look to other areas in Western Province and Choiseul to survey and register.The Auluta Oil Palm project is on the top of the government’s priority list to decentralize development in the country.The success of land registration and tribal land dispute settlements are two key factors to speed up the oil palm project.
© Government Communications Unit
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| posted by administrator @ 9:12 AM |
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| FORMER SENIOR POLICE OFFICER OUT OF PRISON. |
SIBConline news
19:06 hrs
8/02/2007
The High Court has released a former senior police officer who was convicted and sentenced to over 14 years in prison for numerous criminal offences committed during the years of turmoil in Solomon Islands.
Manasseh Maelanga was released last Friday following an appeal by his lawyer against convictions on 43 charges of false pretences.He also appealed sentences that were imposed on 11 other charges he was convicted of.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer quashed the convictions for the false pretence charges, but referred the matter back to the Magistrates Court for re-trail.Justice Sir Albert however quashed all other orders imposed by the Magistrates Court which made Maelanga to serve consecutive sentences amounting to 14 and half years.
He ordered that these sentences were served concurrent.He took into account the general principles governing concurrent and consecutive sentencing which Maelanga's lawyer, Public Solicitor Ken Averre had argued in court.
Maelanga's total sentence was reduced to five years effective July 28th 2004.Justice Sir Albert took into account a total of 36 months Maelanga would have spent in prison, the six months he was held in pre-trail detention and the one third remission factor he was entitled to for good behaviour.
The judge said he had evidence that Maelanga has reformed in prison and should be given every encouragement to re-integrate into society at the earliest possible.Justice Sir Albert ordered that Maelanga be released at the rising of the court. |
| posted by administrator @ 9:09 AM |
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| EDMUND SAE DENIES ASSASINATION CLAIM |
| 19:14 hrs | | 8/02/2007 | | |  | | | | | | | A man who claims himself to be Edmund Sae denies any involvement in the alleged plot to murder Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
A statement purportedly signed by Sae condemns the allegation that he was the main person behind the alleged conspiracy to assassinate the Prime Minister.
It says Sae never knew of the accused, 61 year old Australian, Bill Johnson nor had he spoken to Johnson before.
It says the first time Sae had heard of Johnson was through the SIBC News.
The statement says Sae has no personal grudges against anybody including the current RAMSI operations and Solomon Islands Police officers.
It says since he came out of prison, Sae had never went to Honiara nor threatened or conspired to have any person killed.
The statement calls for a thorough investigation and arrest of whoever is behind the allegation.
It says those who've implicated Sae's name in the case must be prepared to clear his name both in the local media and abroad.
The statement says politicians implicated in the allegation must also be taken in for questioning.
The former Police Sergeant is believed to be hiding in the interior of Malaita province after escaping prison where he was held for the alleged murder of two people including a former police commissioner. |
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| PM LASHES OUT AT CLAIMS |
SIBConline news,
19:19 hrs
8/02/2007
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare lashes out at allegations that the criminal justice system in the country has been interfered with and tainted to satisfy the personal vendettas of certain people.
The Prime Minister says the fact that the statement comes from the country's director of Public prosecution makes the matter more serious.
In a statement Mr Sogavare says he is seriously concern with a statement by the DPP that the allegation was fabricated at the design of some authorities for their personal gain. He also says he is personally insulted by a statement from the Parliamentary opposition that the alleged plot to assassinate the Prime Minister was framed to build support for the government to arm the Close Protection Unit.
The Prime Minister says government will not rest until it establishes the motives and reasons as to why the DPP had made such a public statement when the case is still under investigation.He questions why police officers who made original statements of their own free will are now alleged to have altered their positions, and accused of making false statements.
The Prime Minister also questions why investigations into the matter were directed at police officers than the alleged crime.He says government is concern that the case is allowed to fall in the hands of Australian officers who might be perceived as having serious conflict of interest. |
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| Thursday, February 08, 2007 |
| AUSTRALIAN CHARGED FOR MURDER PLAN ON BAIL |
SIBConline news,
18:19 hrs
7/02/2007
The Australian charged for allegedly attempting to murder Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been released on bail by the Honiara Magistrates Court today.
Director of Public Prosecution, Ronald Bei Talasasa had agreed to the bail application on the basis that stories of key police witnesses in the case kept changing. Mr Talasasa had asked for another 14 days for police to conduct further investigations into the allegations against Bill Johnson.
The DPP had also raised concerns over what could be political interference in the case. The 61 year old Johnson was released on a principle bail of five-thousand dollars, and has been ordered to remain in the Honiara town boundary, report to the Central Police Station every Friday and to surrender his passport.
Johnson's passport is however still in Malaita and he was given seven days to surrender it to the court.
The Australian Vietnam war veteran, Johnson was alleged to have plotted with four others to murder the Prime Minister last month.The others implicated in the murder plot include former Police Sergeant Edmund Sae who is wanted for the alleged murder of two people. |
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| Wednesday, February 07, 2007 |
| Denmark catch Socceroos on the hop |
ABC news
Australia were beaten 3-1 by Denmark in a friendly at Loftus Road in London this morning, as Danish captain Jon Dahl Tomasson led the way with a two-goal haul.
The VfB Stuttgart striker blasted in an impressive fifth-minute opener before Werder Bremen midfielder Daniel Jensen headed in Denmark's second in the 27th minute. Tomasson side-footed in a simple goal 10 minutes later.
The Socceroos had what they thought were two good goals ruled out in the first half and stand-in captain Brett Emerton scored an 85th-minute free kick.
However, it was too little too late for the injury-depleted Socceroos in their home from home, convenient for their Europe-based best players.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold had to make do without injury victims Mark Schwarzer, skipper Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Michael Beauchamp and Luke Wilkshire.
Mark Bresciano and Jason Culina were absent as their girlfriends are about to give birth.
Fringe youngsters Michael Thwaite, Patrick Kisnorbo and Brett Holman therefore started.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen deployed his strongest available team, with only injured striker Nicklas Bendtner missing.
Australia showed their fiercely competitive approach to friendly matches when centre-half Thwaite went straight in on Tomasson in the first minute.
But the foul only served to fire up the 30-year-old, who stunned the Socceroos with an opportunistic blast from the edge of the penalty box.
The ball swerved, bamboozling stand-in Australian goalkeeper Michael Petkovic who was rooted to the spot as it flew past him.
Thwaite headed the ball in from a 22nd-minute Josip Skoko free kick but the effort was ruled out for an adjudged foul by John Aloisi.
Denmark doubled their lead when Charlton Athletic winger Dennis Rommedahl ran on and whipped in a cross from the right, finding Daniel Jensen who headed past Petkovic under little pressure.
Tomasson got his second when good passing carved open the Socceroos' defence.
Jensen cut into the box and passed wide right for Martin Jorgensen who found former AC Milan hit man Tomasson free at the far post for a tap-in.
Australia had the ball in the Danish net for the second time two minutes later, but Aloisi's header from another Skoko cross was ruled out.
The Socceroos were straight out on the attack after the break and Mile Sterjovski hit the crossbar in the 50th minute.
The Basel midfielder forced goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen into a diving save with a volleyed lob from distance, then seconds later blasted a shot against the woodwork from close range.
Australia's substitute striker Ryan Griffiths, on for Everton attacking midfielder Tim Cahill, won a free kick on the edge of the box and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Emerton curled in the set piece with just a few minutes left.
For Denmark, the game was a tune-up before visiting Spain on March 24 for a key European Championship qualifying Group F match.
But for the Socceroos, looking to build on their impressive World Cup 2006 showing, the game was part of their preparations for the Asian Cup finals - at which Australia intend to stamp their dominance on the continent at the first attempt.
However, on this showing, their strength in depth could be tested in the tournament come July. |
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| Soccer: Fancy footwork plagues NZFC |
NZ Herald News
Friday February 02, 2007
New Zealand Football Championship clubs are set to again be left as the whipping boys as players search out cash-rich winter league clubs around the country.
With almost two months still to run in the season, the player shuffle is already well under way and the franchises cannot prevent it.
In the highest-profile move so far, Benjamin Totori, Alick Maemae and Nelson Sale - the Solomon Islanders playing for NZFC club YoungHeart Manawatu - have signed to play for Nelson club Richmond City in their debut Mainland Premier League season with suggestions City will pay fulltime players around $600 a week.
City, to be coached by former All Whites midfielder Peter Simonsen, will be strengthened by the signings, but the move again begs the question over the extent to which the NZFC will suffer by having to put out players who have played almost 11 months non-stop.
"At the end of the day, it was their call," said YoungHeart Manawatu chairman Mark Cleaver. "Obviously they had an attractive offer to play in Nelson."
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Asked whether they had signed with the blessing of Manawatu coach Shane Rufer, Cleaver said Rufer would have preferred they had stayed in the Manawatu, taken a break and then prepared for the next NZFC season.
It is understood that under the terms of their contract with the Palmerston North-based club, the trio were to have returned home at the end of the NZFC season.
"This is their living and if we can't offer them something over the winter then there is little we can do in this situation," said Cleaver.
He agreed there were no real winners when players were playing back-to-back seasons without decent recovery time. Cleaver and Rufer were unaware of the move to Richmond City until it became public.
New Zealand Soccer, while far from happy with a situation which allows the so-called best 180 or so players in the country to play summer and winter, admits that at this stage, there is little it can do.
"The challenge is for the franchises and New Zealand Soccer to sort it out," said NZS deputy chief executive Mike Kernaghan yesterday. "The franchises can't withhold a transfer request because these are amateur players playing in amateur leagues.
"They are free to go.
"But it is a major concern as players are not getting a decent break and will ultimately burn out.
"The only solution could be for all eight franchises to agree that they will not sign any player who plays after July 1 - the start date for the new year under Fifa regulations.
"New Zealand Soccer and the franchises will never be in a situation to deny a player a transfer. But it is an absolute concern that some players are playing so much football."
A recent meeting of NZFC clubs resolved to petition New Zealand Soccer asking for it to hold player registrations in accordance with the Oceania Football Confederation rules on the O-League. That would allow the franchises to determine the winter programme for their existing players, including a predetermined rest period for core players and the amount of game time for fringe players.
The clubs also want the NZFC competition to run from November to April with a new-look, four-team play-off in May thereby overlapping the winter leagues and making it very difficult for players to play both.
Winter league clubs, who play for no prizemoney and with no chance of winning promotion to the NZFC, will surely oppose any such move but will have to ask themselves if their motives are good for the game. |
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| WAITA WANTS INTERNATIONAL RETURN |
Oceania Sports.com
Tuesday, 6th February 2007
Former Solomon Islands international Stanley Waita says he wants to put on the national colours for his country once more in the Pacific Games in Samoa.
He revealed his intentions on the eve of his departure saying that he would like to represent his country once more with the aim to assist Solomon Islands qualify for World Cup play off in 2008. Waita left for New Zealand yesterday.
The attacking midfielder who plays for Naha FC in the local competition moved to Waikato in New Zealand last year and signed for Northern League club Ngaruawahia United. After helping Ngaruawahia United surge towards promotion Waita was immediately snapped up by Waikato FC in the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC).
Waita says Solomon Islands players playing in the NZFC includes Commins Menapi, Benjamin Totori, Alick Maemae, Junior Fa'arodo, Nelson Sale, George Suri, Batram Suri and himself should give Solomon Islands an upper hand in the South Pacific Games.
The South Pacific Games form the first phase of FIFA World Cup qualification with the top three teams progressing to the second phase group where they will play New Zealand. Each team will play six matches, three home, three away, with the winner of the second phase progressing to the third phase in Asia Football Confederation (AFC).
The OFC qualifier will join nine teams from AFC in two groups of five with the top two in each group qualifying for FIFA World Cup - South Africa 2010. The two third placed teams will play off for the final qualification slot in a home and away playoff.Waita was part of the team that helped Solomon Islands qualified for World Cup playoff with Australia in the Oceania Nations Cup and World Cup playoffs two years ago. |
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| THE 2007 BUDGET SPEECH |
THE 2007 BUDGET SPEECH(Delivered by the Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo,Minister of Finance and Treasury)
1. Introduction
Mr Speaker,
I rise to beg that the 2007 Appropriation Bill 2007 be now put to a second reading.
Mr Speaker, I am honored and privileged to present this House with the 2007 Appropriation Bill 2007 on behalf of the Grand Coalition for Change Government in accordance with Section 102 of the National Constitution of Solomon Islands.
Sir, this is the first full year Budget presented by this Government and the first I have presented. It represents our first step towards implementing our policies and mandate on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands.
Mr Speaker, this Government is aiming to create a society that is equitable, trustworthy and forward looking. We are committed to strengthening the country's democratic, constitutional, and community institutions and structures as well as its economy.
The Budget is a fundamental instrument of Government policy in action and its development is a task this Government has taken very seriously.
Sir, this House will recall that this Government requested additional time in 2006 to develop a budget which provides effective approaches to the nation's challenges. I am pleased to report that the extra breathing space granted has been put to good use. After extensive consultation and deliberation we have identified several fundamental targets and principles to guide our decision-making.
Mr Speaker, our primary objective is to achieve development through a bottom-up, regionally-focused approach. The focus is on the provinces and on rural development. This Budget is an important first step in this direction, both in the way it is presented and in the decisions and priorities it reflects. The Government has identified three components to its rural development strategy.
The first component, Sir, is community consultation and grass root policy development. The main responsibility for this lies foremost with us as Members of this House and with Members of the Provincial Assemblies. Specifically in this Budget we have made provision for Constituency Community Development Officers in each constituency as well as provision for $1 million in rural development funding for each electorate. Furthermore, we have made provisions to clearly identify provinces that will benefit from projects in the Development Budget.
The second component, Sir, is effective sectoral strategies to improve access to economic opportunities for rural people. Notable development programs and activities in this Budget include:• Expanding infrastructure in the provinces such as land registration, court infrastructure, water supplies, housing, micro-projects and community facilities;• Restructuring road and wharf maintenance expenditure to expedite rebuilding and improving maintenance, including for two provincial airstrips, namely Temotu and Western Provinces;• Fostering private sector development in the provinces through training, a credit guarantee scheme, and support to rural banking;• Resourcing and promoting employment generating projects in the strategic areas of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism; and• Increasing funding to education so as to enable a better skilled workforce throughout the country in the immediate future.
The third component, Sir, is building the capacity of the provincial governments to deliver services to rural communities and promote business development. For this Budget we have made provisions for:• $3 million for provincial governments’ debt;• Beefing up Ministries with sectoral responsibilities to undertake a wide range of capacity building tasks across the country, including visits, research and training; and• Commencing negotiations with provincial governments on measures to enhance their private sector, including removing business licence fees.
Related to this issue, Mr Speaker, is the constitutional reform, particularly the federal constitution. The Government is committed to progressing the federal constitution that has begun by the successive governments. We acknowledge and are fully supportive of initiatives by some provinces to advance the federal constitution in their respective provinces. This is reflective of their utmost desire and aspiration to move governance and decision making closer to the people. The Government’s commitment to the federal constitution has been demonstrated by the transfer of this particular task to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Speaker, we have not neglected national priorities. We are also very much determined to strengthen Solomon Islands’ core national institutions. Several provisions in this Budget would help deliver on this commitment:• We have established a separate head for the National Judiciary in recognition of its independence;• We have established a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission;• There is additional funding support for the Parliament; and• We have expanded the role of the Auditor-General.
Mr Speaker, strengthening institutions is, however, as much a matter of process as of money. An example of our serious commitment to proper process is that, for the very first time in many years, I am pleased that the Public Accounts Committee has been able to review and scrutinise the Budget before the commencement of the Parliament sitting.
Mr Speaker, we are also most determined to place Solomon Islands on a firm economic footing and to strengthen economic governance. The Government fully realises that this is a longer term task, and is far from easy. This Budget entails several significant measures that will move us further in the right direction.
Sir, we have toiled and grown the revenue base. This has allowed the Budget to produce a small surplus and has avoided the need for further borrowing. Revenue collection has been helped by better tax administration to ensure compliance and fairer management of tax exemptions by the application of tax exemption guidelines. Compilation of better statistical information will also help guide economic decision-making into the future.
However, Sir, the improved budget position has not been at the expense of business. Action is being taken to create new opportunities for business, particularly business in the provinces. The establishment of an effectively autonomous Transport Fund will help to manage and develop our nation's transport infrastructure in a way that will attract further contributions from development partners.
Mr Speaker, let me now outline the fundamentals of the Recurrent and Development budgets. Before taking into account new revenue initiatives, government domestic revenue in 2007 is forecast to increase by 13.5 per cent from that achieved in 2006. This is 18 per cent above that originally budgeted for 2006. After new revenue measures we have implemented are taken into account, revenue will increase to $887 million. This is an overall increase of 28.8 per cent.
Total Recurrent expenditure in 2007 is expected to rise by 12.7 per cent. Recurrent expenditure to be appropriated in the 2007 Appropriation Act (excluding Statutory Expenditure and Budget support from donors) has increased by 18.3 per cent to $792 million.
Mr Speaker, the Government’s preliminary estimate for the national economy in 2007 is for real economic growth of almost 5 per cent. Furthermore, we expect inflation to be contained at around 8 per cent. This positive economic outlook stands us in good stead to implement the reforms necessary to ensure the prosperity of Solomon Islands in the long term.
Mr Speaker, I would now like to give an overview of the 2007 Budget.
2. Budget Overview
Long Term Vision for the Solomon Islands
Mr Speaker, this Government's long term vision for the Solomon Islands is set out in detail in our Policy Framework Document published in May 2006. Our focus is on:• Provincial and rural development;• Access for all Solomon Islanders to essential services including schools, health care and transport;• Stabilising law and order and enhancing national institutions and services; and• Encouraging a vibrant private sector economy.
Sir, the Government's activities are carefully directed to progress this vision. These focus on taking leadership in respect to governance, security and the legal system, supporting (not stifling) private enterprise in the productive sectors, ensuring equitable services and overcoming entrenched obstacles to development – obstacles such as inadequate capacity in the provinces, limited lending facilities and difficulties in obtaining access to land for major projects.
Sir, in August 2006, we launched our Policy Translation and Implementation Document. This has guided Ministries in developing new policies for the Government. This is the basic framework by which our work and efforts should be assessed.
Mr Speaker, the Government hopes that this policy framework will lead to a vibrant private sector throughout this nation, where new economic developments are encouraged for the benefit of all Solomon Islanders. This can be achieved by a responsible government creating a regulatory environment that supports the development of new opportunities.
Of course, Mr Speaker, these objectives are best achieved in a stable economic and political environment, with a healthy democratic process and respect for the rule of law. A combination of all these factors is necessary if we are to overcome the significant challenges that still face the national economy.
Challenges facing the national economy
Mr. Speaker, while the outlook for the national economy in 2007 is broadly positive, there are a number of risks and potential shocks to our economy that threatens to impact on economic growth.
Mr Speaker, although the global oil price has fallen slightly in recent times, it is expected to remain high by historical standards over the course of 2007, and could potentially rise further. Higher oil prices throughout 2006 have contributed to upward price pressures in the national economy both for our domestically produced goods and for our imports.
Sir, annual inflation continued to increase throughout 2006, rising to almost 10 per cent before being contained later in the year. This is largely due to the flow-on effect of fluctuating global oil prices feeding into costs of transport and utilities. The strong economic growth of the national economy, together with capacity constraints, has also contributed to price pressures in the economy. Neither the domestic nor the international pressures are expected to diminish in the near future. Accordingly, inflation is expected to remain steady at around 8 per cent through 2007, although increases in global oil prices pose a real risk to this outlook.
Mr Speaker, although inflation and high oil prices represent real risks to economic growth in Solomon Islands, the biggest single pressure on our economy comes from our fast growing population. Currently, the population is growing at around 2.8 per cent per annum. This is one of the fastest population growth rates in the world. To improve the wellbeing of Solomon Islanders we need to achieve real economic growth in excess of population growth. We must therefore work harder to generate the broad based growth necessary to provide enough opportunities for our growing population – especially for our youths.
Furthermore, Sir, significant reforms are required to ensure that all Solomon Islanders are able to share in future economic opportunities. Economic development has, in the past, been heavily centralised around Honiara. This Government is committed to encouraging development in rural areas – development that will bring benefits to the rural population which comprises 85 per cent of the total national population.
For many years, a big contributor to our economy has been the forestry sector. This sector currently provides around two thirds of our export income and accounts for around 15 per cent of our market economy.
However, the unlogged forestry resource is limited, and there will be a significant delay until replanted areas are ready for harvesting. Mr Speaker, we cannot afford to be too heavily dependent on this one commodity for growth of our economy. Without strengthening other sectors and industries, the expected medium term decline in incomes from forest industries will adversely affect the economy and weaken government finances. This situation, Sir, could occur within the life of the current Parliament. This Government realises the adverse impacts of this possibility and is committed to take the necessary actions to avert this.
Mr Speaker, the alternative path this Government is taking is to pursue vigorous economic reforms. When combined with prudent fiscal and monetary management, this can potentially sustain real economic growth in the medium term – giving hope of rising living standards of all Solomon Islanders, particularly those in rural areas.
3. Driving Economic Growth
The barriers to growth
Mr Speaker, although the outlook for the national economy is generally positive in the short term, in the medium to long term there are a number of barriers to economic growth. Continuing economic reform to address these barriers is needed to ensure the current recovery process continues and economic growth is shared by all Solomon Islanders.
Sir, the first major barrier to broad based economic growth is that of distance. Our rural areas are situated some distance away from markets, and often lack access to essential infrastructure such as telecommunications services, safe and reliable transport, electricity and clean water.
The second barrier to broad based economic growth, Sir, is the inefficient regulatory and tax environment. High tax rates and an overly burdensome regulatory framework mean that businesses are unable to develop to their full potential.
The third major barrier, Sir, is inadequate capacity for Solomon Islanders to start up a business. This includes inadequate business skills and entrepreneurship as well as limited access to capital.Government Reform Agenda
Mr Speaker, this Government plans to combat these barriers to economic growth by continuing with its ambitious economic reform agenda. We will build on the advances we made in 2006. At the heart of the Government’s reform agenda is the Strategic Framework for Rural Development and the Bottom-up Approach. This can be seen in the types of reforms the Government is implementing.
Transport and communications
Mr Speaker, this Government has at the centre of its development strategy initiatives to ease the critical impact of distance on the rural economies. To this end, the National Transport Plan aims to provide effective transport infrastructure to support sustained economic growth and social development. This will include regular, reliable and privately operated shipping services to all areas, as well as enhanced road and air services. Furthermore, the Government is working to improve affordable access to telecommunications services by introducing competition.Financial services
Mr Speaker, improving access to secure and well managed financial services for rural people, particularly savings and micro-credit services, is a key objective of this Government. This Budget includes two new initiatives that will help to ensure this objective is achieved in the life time of this Government.
First, the Government will launch a Credit Guarantee Scheme. Mr Speaker, this scheme will help entrepreneurs to secure loans with commercial banks to start their own business. Such loan proposals are often turned down by the commercial banks because they lack adequate security. A similar scheme was successfully operated by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and as such they are best placed to manage the new scheme in partnership with registered financial institutions in the country. The Scheme will, however, operate through the existing commercial banks, applying sound commercial and prudential principles while funds allocated by the Government will only be used to meet defaulting borrowers commitments after every, and I stress every, reasonable effort is made to recover from the borrower.
Mr Speaker, the Government intends to encourage the expansion of high quality financial services into rural areas, particularly savings and micro-credit facilities. We are already seeing an expansion of financial services across the country. Most notably, the value of loans has tripled since 2003, more people hold bank accounts, some Post Offices are offering banking services and other agencies will soon open up around the country in partnership with the commercial banks.
As a second initiative, Sir, we will further encourage this expansion by inviting registered financial institutions in Solomon Islands to submit innovative proposals for reaching rural people with sustainable savings and micro-credit facilities. The Government has set aside $15 million in the Development Estimates to help share the cost of expanding financial services into rural areas in partnership with registered financial institutions.
State Owned Enterprises
Mr Speaker, many of our State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) continue to under-perform because of inadequate proper governance. We have seen poor and unreliable services, and a lack of current audited financial statements by SOEs.
To address this, Mr Speaker, the Government is introducing a new SOE Act later this year. It will introduce an effective and consistent framework for good governance across all SOEs, including clarifying roles and responsibilities of Ministers and the Board. The new Act will not replace other related specific pieces of legislation but will work alongside and complement them.
In addition, Sir, the Government is updating all SOE accounts with donor assistance as well as encouraging all enterprises to develop and publicise their services. Moreover, the Government is reviewing consumer protection laws and regulations. On this note, Mr Speaker, I am obliged to announce that the Government is withdrawing its annual subventions to SOEs. Needless to say, the Government may consider providing subventions to SOEs that adopt good governance and prudential principles and have established and justified that such assistance is absolutely required for their sustenance to deliver on their mandated responsibilities. Related also to this matter, Mr Speaker was the statement on the Development Bank of the Solomon Islands that I delivered to this House yesterday.
Business taxation and regulation
Mr. Speaker, the Government is implementing a number of reforms aimed at reducing the heavy regulatory and taxation burden faced by all Solomon Islanders and ensuring a level playing field for all businesses - large and small. These reforms include import duty reform, tax exemption guidelines and the cessation of round log export duty exemptions.
These reforms complement changes such as the new Foreign Investment Act, improved statistical collections, streamlined work permits and a planned comprehensive modernisation of our business laws that will make it easier for businesses to commence and operate.
Mr Speaker, the Government is particularly keen to support Solomon Islanders establishing and running their own businesses. Hence, I am pleased to announce to this House today the allocation of $3 million for business skills training. This training will help ordinary Solomon Islanders to start and operate their own business so they can support themselves, their families and their communities.
Further, Mr Speaker, the Government is prepared to provide financial incentives to Provincial Governments that abolish business license fees. We will soon be commencing discussions with all Provincial Governments including the Honiara City Council with the view to implement this initiative as soon as possible. These fees are a major hurdle to those people wishing to start their own business and should, therefore, be removed.
Mr Speaker, I have recently announced reforms to import duties being designed to benefit local businesses and communities. Many small, local businesses have, in the past, struggled under the burden of high import duties whilst other businesses obtain an unfair advantage by gaining duty exemptions. The reforms that I announced reduced by half, the top rate of import duty from 20 per cent to 10 per cent. Many unnecessary and costly exemptions have also been removed.
Sir, under this reform, lower duty rates will also benefit rural communities by reducing the pressure on the price of many basic goods. Before these reforms, the top import duty rate of 20 per cent applied to most goods, including many basic items such as soap, noodles, clothes, boots, exercise books, water tanks and mattresses. This has been reduced to a maximum of 10 per cent. This is a significant reduction that will benefit all Solomon Islanders.
4. The 2007 Budget
Budget framework
A particular innovation in the 2007 Budget, Mr Speaker, is reporting of expenditures from a provincially focused perspective. This allows Solomon Islanders to see the extent to which this Government is delivering on its bottom-up policy and providing direct regional benefits.
In relation to the Development Budget, Mr Speaker, I am pleased to be able to report to the House that for the first time projects are categorised on a provincial basis as well as by sector. This confirms that, in line with this Government's commitment to fairness and equity, it is the most populous provinces - Malaita, Western and Guadalcanal, that secure the major share of funds while the most remote and least populous- Renbel, Temotu, Isabel, Choiseul and Makira attract the most support per head of population.
Mr Speaker, permit me now to outline the broad Recurrent Budget framework - the 'big picture'. Revenue will rise from $688 million budgeted in 2006 to $887 million in 2007, an increase of 29 per cent. Total income, including development partners' Budget support, will rise to $949 million, an increase of 26 per cent. Total Recurrent Budget expenditure, including statutory expenditure and donor contributions, will rise to $944 million, an increase of $106 million or 12.7 per cent.
The Recurrent Budget, Mr Speaker, is only part of the picture. Nevertheless, particular focus is on this area because it is funded almost entirely from government domestic revenue and is directly appropriated by this House.
Indeed, Sir, we also rely on our development partners for substantial assistance with projects jointly agreed between the Government and the donors. Donor support in the development estimates is $2,020 million, an increase of 22 per cent over last year. Most notably, we have doubled the Solomon Islands Government contribution to the Development Budget to $88 million. Details of these jointly agreed projects are set out in the 2007 Development Estimates.
In terms of Recurrent Budget initiatives or new spending, Mr Speaker, I am pleased to be able to report that $17 million extra will be of direct regional benefit. In subsequent years I hope to be able to also provide provincial breakdowns of the full Recurrent Budget.
Mr Speaker, I would like to highlight and stress that this is a fully funded Recurrent Budget which will provide both a small surplus of about $5 million and a reduction in debt. While the Government’s total level of debt at the end of 2006 was still of the order of $2 billion, it is now largely regularised and the focus is on debt reduction, going forward. No new debt or government guarantees were issued in 2006 or are proposed for 2007.
Main Priorities for 2007 Budget
Mr Speaker, the priorities for the 2007 Budget are to encourage rural development, to enhance the productive sector, especially in the provinces, and to maintain and stabilise the national economy.
Mr Speaker, the provinces and rural areas, where 85 per cent of the country’s population reside, is paramount and close to the heart of the Government. In this vein, our prime focus will be to allocate adequate resources to the provincial governments and to build their capacity. Provincial governments, therefore, can now expect additional visits and training across the range of government functions. This will be complemented by additional staff recruitment by provincial governments and national government support of the Constituency Community Developments Officers for each constituency.
Mr Speaker, this Government recognizes the resources endowments and potentials of the different provinces and regions. On this basis the Government would strive to assist the provinces to develop these resources and realise their full potential. In the tourism sector, focus will be on Temotu and Central Provinces, attributed to their strategic location to the tourist market and Renbel Province, for its unique setting and world heritage status.
Mr Speaker, I indicated earlier that forestry, for many years, has been a big contributor to our economy which currently provides around two thirds of our export income and accounts for around 15 per cent of our market economy. This Government fully acknowledges the contribution of the forest resources owners to our economy. To this end, the Government is determined to devise and implement programs that would assist forest resource owners to reinvest in the forestry sector, better manage the utilisation of forest resources and engage in alternate sustainable rural economic development activities.Sir, this Government also recognises the major contribution of fisheries to our economy and the huge potential of the industry to drive the economy. Our local fishermen in the rural areas, however, need to participate and integrate more fully with foreign investors in the harvesting and processing of the fish resources in our waters. The Government, in this respect, will seek to undertake feasibility studies into the construction of small and medium pole and line fishing vessels for local fishermen, establishment of tuna canneries and fish processing facilities for smoked fish in the provinces.The Government, Sir, will be making active efforts to support these productive sectors in the provinces. The centerpiece of this will be a credit guarantee scheme to encourage the major commercial lenders to take on more provincial commercial debt. Private enterprise is the engine of growth throughout the world. However, without access to capital even the best of plans will fail. We will also be increasing support for various palm oil projects, injecting funds into cattle, livestock and exotic and indigenous crop production (not neglecting farming and the essential slaughter house facilities).
Mr Speaker, the House needs no reminding that the land tenure system has been as one of the main barriers of economic development and economic growth of our economy. The complexity of the land tenure systems in the country does not lend itself readily for land owners and land owning groups to access credit from financial institutions. This Government is committed to pursuing a land reform process that provides due recognition to customary lands being tribally owned - not individually owned or held in trust by a group of trustees. This process will entail the registration of tribally owned customary lands and entrusting groups the right to deliberate on the optimal use of the lands, including the utilization of the lands for economic development.
To this effect, a Tribal Customary Land Recognition Bill will be introduced to this House at its next sitting in July this year. Related also to this initiative, Mr Speaker is the Secured Transaction Reform Project being pursued by the Government. The objective of this project is to expand access to credit through legal reform and mechanism that will promote the effective use collateral such as land as security for loans.
These initiatives, Sir, demonstrate this Government’s serious commitment and support for sustainable rural development aimed at improving the livelihoods and the daily lives of rural people. These are in line with the Government’s economic development strategy which include providing an enabling environment that our economy can grow and thrive upon and ensuring diversified growth across the economy through the bottom-up approach.Mr Speaker, we will be working to ensure that transport links in the provinces are improved through a new National Transport Special Fund. The Fund is expected to attract at least $12 million in Government funds – including $4.8 million in additional funds in this Budget – and substantial donor support. Fundamentally, however, it will provide a more efficient and effective means of providing transport infrastructure, roads, bridges and jetties, than the current fragmented approach. The Aviation Special Fund will also provide for the upgrading of two provincial airstrips.
Sir, provincial courts will also be upgraded and the backlog of cases reduced by a new program of sittings and increased assistance to local courts and chiefs courts.
Mr Speaker, the role of our development partners in assisting Solomon Islands’ progress deserves special mention. I am delighted to see that in the crucial sectors of Health and Education there are two development partners contributing directly to the Government programs through the respective ministries. These efforts will greatly improve the effectiveness of the existing bilateral technical and scholarship programs, provincial water supplies and sector wide programs. Such work will complement the contributions of donors to assist provincial governments and to encourage micro projects at the local level.
Sir, my colleague, the Minister for National Planning and Aid Coordination will be making further statements on these developments.
Sir, in 2006 the Government rectified long term wage imbalances with salary and allowance increases for constitutional office holders, public servants, teachers and police. In 2007 we will provide for the legitimate claims for back-pay for law enforcement personnel during the tension period. We are also currently addressing, in a consultative way, the national minimum wage policy – for the first time in 10 years.
Mr Speaker, this Government also seeks to strengthen our overall economic position with a responsible approach to taxation and investment returns. Revenue is expected to rise by 13.5 per cent as a result of improved collections, reduced exemptions and stronger enforcement. Increases in determined round log prices last December and adjustments to excise will net a further estimated $45 million per annum.
Debt repayments have been increased significantly in line with the growth in revenue to $135.7 million, including $3 million to address the provincial government debt that hampers the provinces’ capacity to develop. This is an overall increase of over 38 per cent in debt repayments.
Mr Speaker, the Government has continued to make progress in regularising its debts and has restructured and repaid a number of its debts. The 2007 Budget increases its allocation to debt servicing by approximately $34 million, an increase of one third on 2006 levels. In 2006 the Government gave priority to domestic creditors and cleared the majority of its trade creditor arrears. The Government will continue this focus in 2007 and assist Provincial Governments in clearing their arrears. On this note I am proud to announce that, compared to 2002 when all of the Government loans were in default, presently 75 per cent of all government official debts have been regularised and are fully serviced.
Sir, in addition to the payments made to trade creditor arrears holders, the Government is honoring guarantees it provided to other entities for loans in default. Guarantees for the defaulted loans of Soltai and Western and Malaita Provinces have been addressed and this program will continue in 2007.
Budget Process Reform
Mr Speaker, this Government's appetite for reform and for the most efficient and effective use of scarce government funds has not been satisfied.
In 2006, expenditure performance by many ministries was still disappointing, with too many projects which had been funded by the Government and development partners failing to make adequate progress. Steps are being taken to ensure an improved outcome in 2007. We will be developing structural changes to the Budget that will give Permanent Secretaries more flexibility in the use of funds. These include less complex administrative procedures to move funds to where they are needed, longer term time horizons and, most importantly, greater accountability for bringing projects to completion.
Mr. Speaker, the usual excuse that Budget procedures are too complex as an explanation for inadequate project progress can no longer be tolerated. In this vein, the Government will establish a Development Planning and Monitoring Committee to be chaired by the Hon Prime Minister to oversee and ensure a rigorous implementation and progression of the Budget. Moreover, I propose to integrate the Development and Recurrent Estimates and to introduce longer time horizons for estimates. I will also reduce the number of individual appropriations that slow effective spending and provide no additional accountability. As an example, I do not believe it improves accountability to know that a Ministry spent nothing on IT cables, nothing on IT Software purchase, nothing on IT Software Development and nothing on IT Software licences and yet all these are reported in the current 514 page document.
Sir, I shall also be pressing for an extension of the innovation in the 2007 Budget to show expenditure by project and sector in numerical and graphical format. Provinces and individual citizens deserve to be informed where their money has been spent.
Mr. Speaker, this Government firmly believes in joint and combined partnership to progress our nation to prosperity and to succeed in our plans and programs. Hence, we need to enlist the assistance and support of all stakeholders throughout the country including the private sector, SOEs, NGOs and churches in the implementation of our policies and programs and in service delivery. Most importantly, our efforts and endeavours must be blessed and in unison with the will of God – our Creator. Almost all in this House are Christians and we all love to profess that Solomon Islands is a Christian country.
Sir, the Holy Bible teaches about tithing. Deuteronomy 14:22 states ‘Set aside a tithe - a tenth of all that your land produces each year’. Malachi 3:8-9 further states ‘Bring the full amount of your tithes to the temple so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you see that I will open the windows of Heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things’.
Indeed, Mr Speaker, this Government is committed to follow the path of the Holy Scriptures. As a matter of fact, the Government and the churches in Solomon Islands have been partners in many programs for many years, except that the portion of share accorded to churches and its activities has not been fair. As a start, in 2007 the Government pledges to assist churches in every way possible with the various programs that they conduct and promote for good causes including education, health, peace building, national unity and youth development.
Mr Speaker, while the Government is committed to make greater use of the NGOs and churches we will need to review Budget records to see if they can be modified to allow recording of expenditure in these entities for reporting in future years. Initial estimates suggest that between $140 million and $160 million of government revenue is currently channeled through NGOs and private agencies.
Sir, of course, increased use of NGOs to deliver services on behalf of government should not reduce overall government accountability for ensuring provision of essential services to the community and the spending of public funds. The community expects a high level of service performance and full transparency in the use of public funds.
5. Economic Outlook
Overview
Mr Speaker, the prospects for the economy in 2007 are positive. Economic activity has been resilient and foreign aid flows are robust. Lending from commercial banks and the Credit Corporation has been rising, indicating that there has been an increase in business activities. The maintenance of law and order has further strengthened business activity through greater investor confidence. As a result, we have experienced growth in employment.
Mr Speaker, these positive trends are broadly expected to continue in 2007, with recent achievements creating a base for a stronger economy. The Government’s preliminary estimate is that real GDP will grow by almost 5 per cent in 2007. Sir, I should also note here that another Government initiative in 2007 is to strengthen the National Statistics Office to allow more robust predictions and analysis of progress.
However, there remain a number of risks to the national economy, especially those relating to the price of oil. Oil price volatility over the course of 2007 could significantly disrupt the national economy, fuelling higher inflation and limiting economic growth prospects. In addition, despite recent improvements, business confidence remains somewhat fragile. Any deterioration in the rule of law may substantially damage the economic outlook.
Inflation
Mr Speaker, inflation has been held to under 10 per cent in 2006, and the Government estimates that it will remain under control at around 8 per cent in 2007. However, as I have indicated, risks remain around oil prices in the international market. Any significant increase would affect a lot of domestic goods and services, especially in the transport, construction and services sector.
Investment
As I have already stated, Mr Speaker, investor confidence has grown in recent months. Investment confidence has soared amongst the local business community and potential investors both from abroad and locally. Whilst there may have been some political disagreements between Australia and Solomon Islands at times, we believe that the outcomes of these have been better understanding and greater respect for one another’s sovereignty and policies. The Government, in this respect, stands committed to resolving investment and business issues swiftly and amicably in order to further enhance investment and reinvigorate business confidence.
Balance of Payments
Mr Speaker, while exports have risen over the last year this has been often outweighed by a greater rise in imports. This has led to continued trade deficits.
However, strong foreign exchange inflows have outweighed the trade deficits, leading to rising external reserves levels. Accordingly, net foreign assets rose from $711 million at the end of 2005 to $783 million in December 2006.
Mr Speaker, the Government expects a similar trend in the balance of payments in 2007. Although there are some risks surrounding rising imports and fluctuations in the oil price, the continuing inflow of foreign aid should impact positively on our balance of payments.
6. Conclusions
Mr Speaker, I have presented today a Budget that lays a firm foundation for our nation and its economy after a difficult year for us all. This is a financially responsible Budget that aims to build our nation’s prosperity from the bottom up. It is one of the first steps in implementing this Government’s vision of a vibrant, prosperous economy with better living standards for all Solomon Islanders.
Mr Speaker, the Budget outlines measures that are important to the future of our beloved nation. These and associated further economic reform build the foundation for our future prosperity. With the significant challenges still to be faced we must not rest and be complacent with our recent achievements. We must look forward and work towards developing economic opportunities for all, especially for the 85 per cent of Solomon Islanders who live in rural areas. This Budget takes us one step, I believe a long step, closer to this goal.
Mr Speaker, this Government has faith and places trust in the people of Solomon Islands. Our nation and people have for a long time expected a Government that would take a leading and active role in reforms and a quantum leap to making a difference to our lives and our nation. Sir, may I assure the House and nation that here you have that Government.
Mr Speaker, our nation has abundant resources and great potential. It is for all of us who hold Solomon Islands dear to use what God has blessed us with, to make our nation vibrant and prosperous and rise to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us. Sir, with renewed hope and determination, together we can once again be counted amongst the most promising of nations.
Mr Speaker, I commend this Bill to the House. And I beg to move. |
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| NEW POLICY FOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS |
Department of the Prime Minister Office,
By Deli Oso/PM Press Secretary
The government has adopted a new policy on scholarship awards to ensure Solomon Islanders are trained in professions that lack manpower.
The Minister for Education and Training, Dr Derek Sikua revealed this in Parliament this morning when answering questions relating to scholarship awards.
Mr Sikua said the government had taken the new approach following a national skills survey his Ministry had conducted with assistance from the World Bank.
He said the survey was undertaken to determine the type of skills that Solomon Islanders have and those that were lacking.
The Minister said as of this year selection for scholarships would be based on the findings of the survey.
Dr Sikua meanwhile said the final list of the government’s scholarship awards for this year would be finalized this Friday.
He admitted that release of the list was ‘very’ slow and therefore his ministry would seek leniency from relevant authorities in PNG on late arrival of Solomon Islands students at tertiary institutions in the neigbouring Melanesian state.
Dr Sikua said late registration for Solomon Islands students at the University of the South Pacific would not a problem as Solomon Islands is a member of the institution and therefore could be given leniency. |
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| GOVERNMENT REMOVES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STATE OWNED COMPANIES |
Department of Prime Ministers Office,
By George Herming
The Government has announced the removal of its financial backing to State Own Enterprises (SOE) for under performance and poor governance.
Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo made the announcement when tabling the 2007 budget in Parliament today.
Minister Lilo said SOE’s have a history of poor performance and lack of accountability in their operations.
“I am obliged to announce that the Government is withdrawing its annual subventions to SOEs,” he said.
The Minister added that the government would only reconsider support when SOE’s adopted sound and transparent management approaches in their operations.
“The Government may consider providing subventions to SOEs that adopt good governance and prudential principles and have established and justified that such assistance is absolutely required for their sustenance to deliver on their mandated responsibilities,” Mr Lilo said.
The Minister said the government will introduce a new SOE Act later this year in a move to address problems affecting state companies.
“We will introduce an effective and consistent framework for good governance across all SOEs, including clarifying roles and responsibilities of Ministers and the Board.
“The new Act will not replace other related specific pieces of legislation but will work alongside and complement them,” he said.
In addition, the Government is updating all SOE accounts with donor assistance as well as encouraging all enterprises to develop and publicize their services. |
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| STANDOFF GENERATES MORE RESPECT AND INSIGHT FOR SOVERIGNTY |
Department of the Prime Ministers Office,
By George Herming
Minister for Finance Gordon Darcy Lilo said the present political disputes between Solomon Islands and Australia helps had generated deeper insight and respect for each other’s sovereignty and policies.
Speaking after delivering the 2007 Budget in parliament today, Mr Lilo said the disputes between Solomon Islands and Australia is a sign of healthy, diplomatic debate and not an indication of a deteriorating relationship.
"Whilst there may have been some political disagreements between Australia and Solomon Islands at times, we believe that the outcomes of these have been better understanding and greater respect for one another's sovereignty and policies,” Mr Lilo told reporters.
The Minister made reference to Canberra’s acceptance of Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia last month as a sign of restoring the once vibrant relationship enjoyed by the two Pacific neighbours.
“There was no reason to think the diplomatic situation would deteriorate and Canberra's recent acceptance of a new Solomon’s high commissioner was a good sign the situation had normalised.
“As long-term and close friends and neighbours, we would normally have times of very strong and hard debate.
“I believe this is healthy in any diplomatic situation,” Mr Lilo said.
The Minister also said the current budget was developed in a way that reduces borrowing from international financial agencies.
He said this year’s budget is more realistic and is based on ways that government can afford to sustain it throughout its financial year. |
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| Tuesday, February 06, 2007 |
| $2 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR ALUTA OIL PALM PROJECT |
GOV. Services,
6/02/07
The government has allocated $2m for the Auluta Palm Oil project for this year. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock announced the allocation in Parliament this morning when asked to inform the house on the progress of the Malaitan palm oil project.Toswell Kaua said the government was committed and serious to see the project kicked-off the ground.
“The government has shown its commitment by allocating a budget of $2m for 2007 and is working in partnership with Malaita Province and Resource owners of the project area.”
“The Auluta Palm Oil project was a priority project not only for the project area but Malaita Province and Solomon Islands as a whole.”
The Minister said Cabinet had also approved a special fund of $300,000 for the Trust Board of the Auluta Palm Oil project to assist tribal registration and other related activities.
Mr Kaua said 37 tribal lands were recorded and of that 23 were dispute-free and were ready to be surveyed and registered.He said the 23 dispute-free tribes had now appointed tribal trust boards and were awaiting gazetting of subsidiary regulations under the Customary Land Recording Act to allow the boards to be legal entities representing landowning groups.
“The subsidiary regulations had been drafted and are now with the AG chambers for vetting and gazetting,” Mr Kaua said. He said the survey would be launched on the 17th of the month and that event would be an important occasion for tribal leaders to sign survey documents giving consent to the government to survey their lands and further see the registration of their lands for development.
Minister Kaua said his department was optimistic that the survey would be completed in April and an investor be identified by then so the groundbreaking ceremony would go ahead in June as anticipated.
© Deli Oso, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister |
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| Ontong Java fears green house effect |
By Jennifer Koti,
National Express
The people of Ontong Java are worried over the sea level rise as a result of the green house effect. They said while neighbouring countries worry over the cause of green house effect, the people settling in Ontong Java are worried on what lies ahead of them when their island submerge.
"We urge responsible authorities to deal with our problem and assist us in the event of the need to relocate us to another place."
An elder speaking to National Express expressed concern because "our island is not mountainous but just flat land and with the sea level rise, the only place our people would next turn to is the [Lord Howe] settlement here in and Honiara and it would be so crowded.
"The elder said overcrowding would not only create disputes within the settlement but it would also present an unhealthy environment to live in.
People of Ontong Java have shifted their village up shore to where once some years back used to be bushes, the elder said.
The elder stressed: "The government really needs to start looking into the matter, and allocate a place for the relocation of our people if there is problem in the future."
© The National Express |
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| Ontong Java fears green house effect |
By Jennifer Koti,
National Express
The people of Ontong Java are worried over the sea level rise as a result of the green house effect. They said while neighbouring countries worry over the cause of green house effect, the people settling in Ontong Java are worried on what lies ahead of them when their island submerge.
"We urge responsible authorities to deal with our problem and assist us in the event of the need to relocate us to another place."
An elder speaking to National Express expressed concern because "our island is not mountainous but just flat land and with the sea level rise, the only place our people would next turn to is the [Lord Howe] settlement here in and Honiara and it would be so crowded.
"The elder said overcrowding would not only create disputes within the settlement but it would also present an unhealthy environment to live in.
People of Ontong Java have shifted their village up shore to where once some years back used to be bushes, the elder said.
The elder stressed: "The government really needs to start looking into the matter, and allocate a place for the relocation of our people if there is problem in the future."
© The National Express |
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| Lord Howe community concerned on drainage |
By Jennifer Koti,
National Express
The continuing problem with the National Referral Hospital's green tank which releases waste from the hospital is affecting neighbouring Lord Howe settlement.One resident Gabriel Kemaiki in an interview with the National Express said the community has raised the issue to responsible authorities to deal with the matter, but there has been no response.
Mr. Kemaiki said the community even approached the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, calling them to "come and assess, and make reports" on the seriousness of the outlet in terms of hygiene and health of the people.
He said during his term in the Honiara City Council as member for Mataniko ward, he arranged a health inspector from HCC to inspect the area where the tank is located. It was agreed that "... [the tank] should be removed from that area and although a report was submitted, still nothing has been done to address the problem."
Mr. Kemaiki continued that a round table discussion was also held with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services with HCC health inspectors who said "they would do something ... but nothing happened.""
We the community take the lack of response as the government not recognising us, because all the things that we have requested from the government to do for our good and hygiene is overlooked for such a long time now."
Mr. Kemaiki said the only response they got from responsible authorities was "to remove the septic tank to another location was a bit hard due to financial problem".But apart from the case that is affecting the health of the Lord Howe community, it is without a doubt that "the community is always left behind in terms of development", Mr. Kemaiki noted sadly.
He revealed that when it rains, the tank overflows and floods through the settlement, which hygienically speaking is affecting the people."There are a lot of health workers who obviously have seen for themselves the state of the matter and just how bad the site is, but choose to ignore it and not do anything."People of the Lord Howe community are calling on the government to consider possibility of including the tank problem in the fourth phase of development of the hospital.
They also call on their current Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Nelson Ne'e to consider raising the issue to the government to do something about it as soon as possible.The Lord Howe community adds that if possible for Mr. Ne'e to consider visiting their community to see for himself, the problem faced in the settlement, which could possibly lead to an outbreak of sickness.
© The National Express |
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| Maenu’u says his return may not be easy |
SIBConline news,
6 February, 2007 - 11:09am.
By MOFFAT MAMU
THE former head of the Land Reform Unit says he will only resume duties if the government and administration sort out their differences. Leonard Maenu’u resigned as head of the Land Reform Unit late last year after the Opposition criticised the government in parliament over the process of his recruitment.
However, last month the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Minister of Lands Rev. Leslie Boseto and Minister of Public Service Joses Sanga refused to accept his resignation. Instead they strongly recommended him to remain in the unit stating that "any replacement will disturb the current approach on land reform throughout the country".
But Mr Maenu'u yesterday said what was stated is the political government’s perspective and did not represent the administration perspective. He said both the government and administration section within the departments of lands and public service must compromise first before he could be able to return because what he experienced during his time in the office did not reflect this.
"Since my arrival in Lands Department I was personally harassed and isolated by the administration, by the forces which have been well-established to control things here. And the permanent secretaries of department of lands and department of public services are collaborating with these forces.
"I have briefly made mention of these in my letter of 11 December 2006, the same have been a subject highlighted in the auditor general’s report to parliament.
"I have become a victim of rivalry between the government and the administration, an experience which I don’t really wish to undergo again," Mr Maenu’u stated.
He said political government or politicians may make policies but it is the administrative arm or administrators who implement these policy decisions. "That is what I mean. If the administrators do not agree, they may refuse to implement such government policy," Mr Maenu’u said.
A part from this, Mr Maenu’u also highlighted that for him to resume duties would mean signing a new contract with the government. "My contract with the government is such that I can terminate it after six months and that’s what I did.
"In other words I have terminated my contract with the government which is not contingent of acceptance from the government.“Unless the political government and administration are able to sort out their differences and act together, my returning to service may not be that simple.
"This would require a new contract which will need to be properly constructed than that which I have terminated," he said.
Mr Maenu’u has already conducted seminars in Malaita and Western provinces last year.Premiers and leaders in those provinces have widely supported efforts to land reform in view of the current surge in land disputes across the country. |
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| Get out of boxing match |
SIBConline news,
6 February, 2007 - 11:18am.
By ROBERT L IROGA
A TOP U.S official has urged the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI to talk to each other in a direct way and “get away from this kind of boxing match”.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Glyn Davies said: “We are concerned about the difficulties that exist because they can get in the way of process.”
Mr Davies, who is here on a two-day visit, admits that it is not America’s place to come in and wag a figure at Solomon Islands or asking Australian and New Zealand.
“What we can do is to make some principle points about the need to move beyond the types of disputes that have occurred in a sort of a more positive direction.
“I did not come here to dictate terms to anybody, we came here really to give our sense of friend of the Solomon Islands of the way forward,” the deputy assistant secretary said.Solomon Islands has engaged in a bitter political and diplomatic row with Australia on many issues, and it has affected the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands’ (RAMSI) operations in the country.
RAMSI is heavily dominated by Australia, and late last year Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare wanted the Australian leadership role removed.“The situation has become a little bit heated, a little bit even dramatic but I don’t think that it needs to continue to spiral in the wrong direction.
“I absolutely think the problems here are reversible and I think they are largely political in nature.“And as a first step, and I hope this will happen, it’s important for your government and RAMSI to talk to each other in a more direct way - and for them to get away from this kind of boxing match,” Mr Davies told the local media late yesterday.
Meanwhile, when asked about the government’s plans to rearm some of its police officers, Mr Davies said: “I think the best way forward is the RAMSI process.”He said RAMSI has a process in place for training of police.“Given the recent history of this nation, between the police and the people it takes some time and takes some deliberate planning to train up the police to a place where the people in Solomon Islands can have complete confidence in them,” Mr Davies said.
He said a very important element for the success of a society is to have a positive relationship between the people and the police.“It’s important that RAMSI and government move together when it comes to training the police and eventually to the extent it has to happen - arming the police.
“But to have one side unilaterally deciding to take a precept step strikes me as somebody from outside looking in giving free advice. And maybe that’s not the way to go,” Mr Davies said. |
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| Solomon Islands Judge will not head the Fiji Corruption Commission |
FijiLive News,
Tuesday February 06, 2007
A former Fiji chief magistrate, Sekove Naqiolevu will not head the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission as anticipated earlier. This was revealed by Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama at a press conference yesterday.
"I just want to clarify that Naqiolevu is not the head of the anti-corruption commission as reported by the media."
"The announcement on who will take up the post will be made soon," he said.
Naqiolevu was appointed to the Solomon Islands High Court in 2005, in a bid to fast-track trials against militia leaders involved in five years of civil unrest in the country.
He has also served as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.
Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) will be set up "in a few weeks" to adjudicate on evidence gathered by the corruption investigation team. |
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| BISHOP LOFT DIES IN NZ |
SIBConline news,
19:20 hrs
5/02/2007
A retired Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who used to work in Solomon Islands, died yesterday in his home town in Auckland, New Zealand.
The late Bishop Gerald Loft was the founding First Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Auki in Malaita.He was a missionary in the Solomon Islands for 46 years and spent most of his years working on Malaita.
In 1984, the late Bishop was appointed to be the first bishop of the Catholic Diocese in Auki. He served at the Diocese for 20 years before retiring in December of 2004.
Reports say Bishop Loft, 75, died of a heart attack.
Bishop's Loft's funeral will be officiated by Archbishop Adrian Smith in Auckland tomorrow, while Bishop Chris Cardone will be celebrating a requiem mass in Auki tomorrow. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:18 AM |
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| GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MILLIONS ON POLITICAL APPOINTEES. |
SIBConline news,
19:20 hrs
5/02/2007
Seventeen political appointees in the office of the Prime Minister and Government caucus will be getting more than two and half million dollars in salaries and benefits. Excluding superannuation benefits such as contributions to the National Provident Fund, the officers total salaries and other indirect benefits range from 99-thousand to 220-thousand dollars per annum.
A table of how much each officer gets in terms of salaries and allowances carried in Solomon Star Newspaper today showed three officers being paid above 200-thousand dollars a year . Twelve officers will be paid above 100 to 198-thousand dollars while only two are being paid below 100-thousand dollars.
Solomon Star quoted the PMO Chief of staff, Doctor Judson Leafasia as saying the new increases are justified.
But Leader of Opposition, Fred Fono criticised the increases as unjustified. Government is seeking approval of more than two million dollars in the 2007 budget to meet the salaries of the political appointees.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister has defended government's political appointees, saying the salaries they are paid are justified. Manasseh Sogavare was responding to a request for the justification of the government’s 2.6million dollar budget for its 17 political appointees. Mr Sogavare said the statements by the Leader of Opposition, Fred Fono in the paper today were defamatory.He said Mr Fono’s statement were merely his own personal opinion.
Mr Sogavare said apart from qualification possessed by the political officers, it was appropriate for any government of the day to employ those whom it trusted to advance its policies. |
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| RAMSI TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS. |
SIBConline news,
19:15 hrs
5/02/2007
A RAMSI inquiry has begun over allegations that its military personnel pointed guns at a local security guard at GBR boom gate when the security officer demanded identification cards from soldiers on two occasions.
A RAMSI spokesperson says the inquiry began last Friday as soon as the military component of RAMSI was informed of the allegations.
The spokesperson says any misconduct by RAMSI personnel is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. He says under the RAMSI guidelines, all personnel are expected to maintain the highest standards of behaviour and conduct at all times during their time in Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, the RAMSI spokesperson says initial investigation does not find any video evidence to support the claim on either of the two occasions cited by the local security guard. The security gates at GBR have 24-hour video surveillance. |
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| Monday, February 05, 2007 |
| Govt defends $2.7m bill for cronies |
Solomonstar news, 5 February, 2007 - 11:11am.
By ROBERT L. IROGA
THE Government has defended its decision to grant a huge increase to its political appointees, which puts some of them amongst the top earners in the country.
Chief of Staff in Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Judson Leafasia said the increases are based on what the government intends to do.Documents obtained showed that political appointees alone have been allocated $2.7m under the 2007 Budget, with the highest notching up to $219,000 per year.
"The payment is unjustified," Leader of Opposition Fred Fono told the Solomon Star on Friday. Mr Fono believes that some of the appointees don’t deserve the kind of payment they are getting.
"For political appointees to be paid that huge remuneration is unjustified. Some of the people are failures," he said.
The Opposition leader is also furious about the huge packages saying that some of them don’t have the qualifications to be paid that much.
But Dr Leafasia said whilst Fono is rightfully concern on the political appointees there is a whole story to that and it started with politicians, which he is a beneficiary. He argued that the government is paying for quality and performance. "At the end of the day your objective is to improve performance," Dr Leafasia said.
"The way we look at is how we can improve our performance in order to improve our living standard, our nation and the life of all Solomon Islanders," he said. He added that the people have the right to expect all public servants paid with government funds to perform.
Dr Leafasia said the benefits are either short term or on longer term basis.Meanwhile, the COS said claims that they wanted the increase because the MPs and permanent secretaries have been given increases is totally wrong.He said their payments were approved after a negotiation process.
Mr Fono said he would oppose the increase as it is a waste of public money. |
| posted by administrator @ 2:10 PM |
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| Menapi failed to score as his side beat Waikato FC 4-2 |
NZFC Waitakere United 4 Waikato FC 2
Bad habits are hard to shake and Waitakere are developing one they must eliminate to win the NZFC this season.
The league leaders have acquired a disconcerting ability to let slip handy leads, like the 2-0 advantage they held over Auckland City in last month's O-League fixture that ended 2-2. Yesterday, they were in danger of gifting Waikato FC at least a point.
Leading 3-0 inside 25 minutes, Waitakere were playing some of their best football of the season a week after playing some of their worst in a 2-1 defeat at Canterbury.
But then the hosts gave Waikato a lifeline and put themselves under unnecessary pressure.
The visitors had reduced the gap to 3-2 by halftime and were beaten only when Waitakere substitute Daniel Koprivcic stabbed the ball home in injury time.
"I don't think the guys get nervous, I think they get a bit complacent," relieved Waitakere coach Steve Cain said. "They start patting themselves on the back a little too much and say, 'aren't we clever?' Suddenly the opposition get a sniff and get back into it."
Waitakere have a six-point lead at the top of the table with five rounds of the regular season remaining.
Manawatu, who host a resurgent Wellington today, and Auckland are favoured to grab the other two playoff spots, especially after Auckland beat Otago 2-1 and fourth-placed Canterbury were upset 2-1 by Hawke's Bay yesterday.
Waitakere have a side capable of toppling two-time NZFC champions Auckland City, particularly if they can recapture they kind of form they showed in the opening 25 minutes yesterday.
They played with pace, intelligence and some skill but invited trouble after the half-hour mark by playing the ball backwards when they had chances to attack.
Allan Pearce opened the scoring when he converted a penalty he won in the 16th minute.
Waitakere and All Whites skipper Danny Hay, who says he will consider an A-League return only if the New Zealand side is based in Auckland, doubled the lead five minutes later with a well-struck volley.
When Jeff Campbell headed a third from one of the best moves of the match in the 25th minute, the result looked beyond doubt.
Waikato coach Roger Wilkinson knew he needed to try something different and brought on tricky winger Felipe Oliveira, who won a penalty on the half-hour.
Matt Williams converted and Waitakere must have started feeling a little nervous when Michael Mayne blasted in a left-footed strike from 25m just before the break.
Waikato, who went into the game on the back of two wins, were more organised and difficult to break down in the second half but rarely threatened the home side.
Waitakere's Solomon Islands striker Commins Menapi missed a couple of chances to secure the points, a job instead left to Koprivcic.
With Wellington, Auckland and Manawatu still to face, Waitakere still have some work to finish top, a position which earns direct entry and home advantage for the final.
New Zealand A take on Tahiti in Auckland on Wednesday and Friday. |
| posted by administrator @ 9:06 AM |
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| RAMSI SOLDIER THREATENS LOCAL SECURITY OFFICER AT GBR BOOM-GATE |
SIBConline news,
18:37 hrs
4/02/2007
A Honiara man has alleged that two RAMSI military officers have threatened to shoot him at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort boom-gate where he works as a security officer.
The man told SIBC News he was threatened on two separate occasions when he refused to open the gate to the soldiers who did not produce a GBR pass.
He said the latest incident happen last week with a military truck carrying about 10 soldiers.The man said the soldiers were angry because he demanded them to show their GBR passes.He said one got out of the vehicle and when he insisted that they show the right pass, the soldier got angry, pointed his gun at him and threatened to shot if he did not open the gate.
The man who works for a local security firm, sub-contracted by Patrick's Defence Logistics to provide security at the gate told SIBC he did not understand why the RAMSI military officers would not follow their own rules.He says it is a requirement that all vehicles and people passing through the gate must produce a GBR pass.
He says this requirement was put on notice and posted at the gate.The man says he's reported the matter to the management of Patrick's Defence Logistics and the PPF Protective Services, but says he fears they might not deal appropriately with the matter. He says, he had reported a similar incident to the same authorities in the past, but nothing has been done about it.The man says he was convinced that had he not opened the gate, he would have been shot.
SIBC News was not able to get appropriate authorities to comment on the matter.Meanwhile, the local security company being sub-contracted to secure the gate says it is aware of the incident and the person making the complaint actually works at the GBR boom-gate.
Manager of City Security Service, Chris Maebiru says his company is yet to make a report on the incident and forward it to Patricks Defence Logistics.Mr Maebiru says from initial reports he's received on the incident he is of the view that the security officer was only doing his job and had done nothing wrong.
He says the security officer has all the right to demand people who pass through the boom gate to produce the right pass.Mr Maebiru says the incident is causing fear among his boys who work at the GBR as security officers. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:33 AM | | |
