Pacific Islands Report

Nat’l. peace conference in Solomons

HONIARA, Solomon Islands — Government officials report that a weekend National Peace Conference aimed at ending years of ethnic conflict in the country has ended successfully.

Over 100 church, business and political delegates met on the New Zealand navy frigate Te Kaha, moored off the capital, to discuss permanent solutions to fighting between militias from Guadalcanal and Malaita islands over jobs and land rights.

A conference communiqué outlining “basic issues and principles for peace” will be forwarded to representatives of national and local governments and the militia groups for formal peace talks now scheduled to begin on Thursday, also aboard the Te Kaha.

U.S. outlines action taken vs. Fiji coup

SUVA, Fiji Island — The U.S. government has suspended more than $1 million in security and other assistance to Fiji, canceled a number of ship visits to Suva and banned more than 130 people from entering the U.S. because it does not support the outcome of the May 19 coup, the Fiji Sun reports.

A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Suva said the actions taken show Washington’s strong condemnation of the overthrow of the democratically elected People’s Coalition government, headed by Indo-Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

Pentagon moves cruise missiles to Guam

HAGATNA, Guam—The U.S. Air Force has announced the stockpiling of conventional air-launched cruise missiles on Guam.

The move, military officials said, will allow the U.S. to respond more quickly to potential crises in the Asia-Pacific region.

This type of cruise missile has never before been based outside the continental United States.

New Caledonia sees hike
in Japanese tourists

NOUMEA, New Caledonia — Government statistics show a significant increase in the number of Japanese tourists visiting the territory.
During May almost 2,500 Japanese nationals visited the French territory, compared to 1,700 during the same month last year.

Tourism officials said an improvement in Asia’s economic situation and the introduction of new direct air links between Noumea and Osaka fueled the turnaround.

New Caledonia’s airline is planning to introduce biweekly flights to Los Angeles later this year in efforts to tap the visitor market there.