Solomons anger erupts on peace force
TENSIONS over the Australian-led peacekeeping operation in the Solomon Islands have erupted before today's meeting of Pacific leaders, with claims by a senior Solomons minister that local public opinion is turning against the operation. More...
Pacific split over Canberra campaign
The Australian
Steve Lewis
Chief political correspondent
In Nadi, Fiji
DIVISIONS have emerged among Pacific nations over how to deal with Australia's hardline push to stamp out corruption in island states.
Fiji and the grouping of small island states attending this year’s Pacific Island Forum have declined to join in condemnation of Australia’s involvement in last Friday’s raid of the office of Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare over the Julian Moti affair. More...
Prime Minister to press Pacific islands for improvement
The Australian
October 23, 2006
PRIME Minister John Howard says he will press Pacific island countries to improve standards of governance and economic management in return for continued Australian aid. More...
Howard, Clark united on PacificThe Australian
Steve Lewis and Patricia Karvelas
October 23, 2006
AUSTRALIA and New Zealand will forge a united front in telling Pacific leaders they must be prepared to stamp out corrupt practices if they want to continue receiving generous aid funding. More...
Commonwealth chief to visit SISolomon Star News
23 October 2006
COMMONWEALTH Secretary-General Don McKinnon will travel to Fiji Islands to attend the 37th Pacific Islands Forum Summit which starts today.
He will later travel to Solomon Islands to meet with the government and civil society groups.
“Good governance and a healthy democratic culture, as recognised in the Pacific Plan, have become crucial issues and prerequisites for stability and sustainable economic growth in the region,” Mr McKinnon said on the eve of his departure. More...
Raid inflame SI-Aust row
Solomon Star News
23 October 2006
A POLICE raid on the Office of the Prime Minister last Friday has further inflamed the ongoing diplomatic row between Honiara and Canberra.
Six officers – three locals and three Australians serving with RAMSI – reportedly stormed the office and removed a fax machine, in the absence of Mr Sogavare who is currently in Fiji for the Forum meeting. More...
Diplomatic row impacts on national economy - Huniehu
People First
23 October 2006
The Opposition spokesman for Finance and Treasury and MPR for East Are'are, Edward Huniehu says the continued diplomatic row and standoff between Australia and Solomon Islands will have wider financial implications for the national economy if they are not resolved quickly. More...
Fiji to benefit from meet, says Tavola
Fiji Times
Timothy Naivaluwaqa
23 October 2006
Fiji stands to benefit immensely from the Pacific Leaders Forum which starts in Nadi today, says Foreign Affairs Minister, Kaliopate Tavola.
Mr Tavola said the people of Fiji would benefit from all issues discussed by the 16 heads of government attending the week-long meeting. More...
300 officers for forum talks
Fiji Sun
Police will be deploying more than 300 officers to Denarau, the host hotel for the 37th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting that starts today. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Samuela Matakibau said police had deployed more than 300 officers to provide security. "Police presence in Denarau will be spearheaded by the elite Police Tactical Response Unit and officers from the Special Operations Unit. The exercise has been dubbed Operation Bose Ni Pacifika," he said. More...
Pacific leaders converge
Fiji Sun
By CHRISTOPHER HILL
Assistant Secretary of State
Department of State
Washington
I'm very pleased to arrive this week in Fiji, which is hosting the Pacific Islands Forum and Post Forum Dialogue meetings that bring together the heads of government of the wider Pacific Islands region.
The United States, though not a member of the Forum, is honoured to have been invited to a special session with PIF leaders on October 25. When I attended the Forum last year in Papua New Guinea, the clear message I received is that our partners in the region are looking for more active involvement from the United States. More...
Pacific Magazine, 23 October 2006
Samantha Magick
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Greg Urwin says it is essential the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) continues, as controversy continues over the future of the regional initiative. More...
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