Pacific Islands Report

1 dead in Honoriara fighting

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Another person has died after a new outbreak of ethnic fighting between indigenous Guadalcanal islanders and immigrants from neighboring Malaita.

The shoot-out occurred just outside the capital near Henderson International Airport.

Meantime, Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa’alu has condemned the murder of a man over the weekend as the country’s “worst-ever barbaric action.”

The body of a headless corpse was found at the Honiara Central Market on Saturday, and the Guadalcanal man’s head later was put on public display. Attached to the body was a note indicating that Guadalcanal Premier Ezekiel Alebua would be the next victim.

Ulufa’alu has called on all Solomon Islanders to condemn the murder and to unite in helping to find the culprits.

PNG communications workers end strike

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Communications workers have ended a weakling strike to allow further government negotiations on a pay dispute.

The strike mainly delayed repairs to telephone services, but union members were accused of deliberately damaging phone cables, causing a major phone and Internet blackout for several days last week.

Niue premier urged to step down

ALOFI, Niue—Premier Sani Lakatani has been urged to resign for using a Niue Development Bank loan to help pay off a personal business debt.

Lakatani faced bankruptcy in New Zealand unless he paid $25,000 to an Auckland-based exporting firm, which had provided supplies for the premier’s general store.

Opposition MP Terry Coe said Lakatani’s actions are an embarrassment to the country.

Others on the island have been after the bank for loans “and they have turned them down,” he said. “Business people here are very unhappy about this.”

Warning on PNG crime

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Tribal feuding and criminal activity in resource-rich Southern Highlands province threatens national stability, according to a report by the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.

The chamber said it is gravely concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, which is affecting important revenue generating gold mining and coffee plantation projects.

It has called for permanent highway controls and a mobile police squad to address the crime problem.

Vanuatu opposition criticizes proposed new powers

PORT VILA, Vanuatu—Proposed new laws that would give the prime minister power to hire and fire public servants have been condemned by opposition leader Edward Natapei.

He claimed the Asian Development Bank has not paid the second installment of a government loan because of the proposed laws, affecting the national economy.

Natapei called the bill unconstitutional. He said it would politicize the civil service. (Pacific Islands Report)