PACIFIC BRIEFS

Indo-fijian return to power ruled out

SUVA, Fiji Islands – Acting Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has ruled out a return to power for the nation’s ethnic Indian minority.

Speaking on the 30th anniversary of Fijian independence, Qarase said he did not condone last May’s coup, which brought down the elected government, but said most Fijians supported the outcome.

“They will not allow a return to a leadership that was seen by many Fijians as blatantly discriminatory against Fijians,” he said.

“The general feeling among Fijians is that there must be better and stronger guarantees for indigenous Fijians to be in control of their political destiny.”

Fiji’s Speight charged with treason

SUVA, Fiji Islands – Coup leader George Speight has been formally charged with treason.

He appeared in the magistrate’s court in the capital, where the charge was read, after which the case was adjourned until later this month.

The treason charges arise from the May 19 coup against then-prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry, and for threats against the life of the then-president, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

Red Cross suspends activities in Solomons

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Red Cross has suspended all relief activities in the Solomon Islands following an attack on a distributing team at Marapa, in which a Swiss delegate was injured and had to be evacuated overseas for medical treatment.

Armed men carried out the attack and all relief materials were stolen.

The Red Cross, in a statement, appealed to all parties to bring the attackers to justice. It said that unless security is guaranteed Red Cross relief activities will remain suspended.

Rabaul ash forces hospital to move patients

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Heavy ash from volcanic activity on Rabaul’s Mt. Tavurvur has forced authorities to shut down most Nonga General Hospital wards and transfer patients and staff to other locations.

The falling ash, which inhibits normal breathing, has continued for nearly four months.

The closure will remain in force until the ash falls and Mt. Tavurvur quiets down.

America’s tourist missing in Tahiti

PAPE’ETE, French Polynesia – Tahiti police are investigating the whereabouts of a retired professor of medicine from Oklahoma, Roger Ferguson, 63.

He was on vacation and didn’t board a scheduled flight back to the United States.

Ferguson’s family asked local police to start a formal investigation into his disappearance.