Pacific Islands Weekly Monday 24 September 2018

Pacific Islands art  pn95

News from Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands. Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu

FIJI.
Political fortunes. The latest Fiji Sun/Razor poll shows NFP support has dropped to 4% (under the 5% threshold), the FLP is constant on 3%, SODELPA has dropped to 14.8% from 18%v at the previous poll, and FijiFirst has seen a "huge leap" from 65 to 73%. http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/06/16/nfp-support-drops-poll/

Preferred PM: Bainimarama 63% +1; Re Teimumu 11% -9 (it was not clear whether she is standing); Rabuka 11% + 5; Singh 1%; Others 6%. Not intending to vote 5%; unsure 2%; registered 93%.

Click here to hear Dr Biman Prasad

• Conversational or formal iTaukei and Hindi languages. In response to government's policy of making conversational iTaukei and Hindi compulsory in all school, NFP leader Biman Prasad  said this would destroy the formal languages.  His party would make formal iTaukei and Hindi compulsory in all primary schools. “The AG’s statement that contemporary i-taukei and conversational Hindi are languages is despicable. They are dialects or just derivatives, not used in religion, preaching or other religious functions, let alone any other occasion”, said Dr Prasad. http://fijilive.com/news/2018/09/we-will-make-vernacular-compulsory-nfp/64548.Fijilive  (Click on "Read more" at bottom of post)
• The China  Railway First Group has been fined $10,000 for environmental breaches. http://fijilive.com/news/2018/08/china-railway-group-fined-10000/64493.Fijilive
• Fiji Trades Union Congress's Felix  Anthony says the Police Force is still yet to give a permit for the planned Workers Rally and March in Suva this coming Saturday but it has received approvals from the Fiji Roads Authority and the Suva City Council for the use of Ratu Sukuna Park. http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Police-still-yet-to-issue-permit-for-rally-and-march-in-Suva-this-Saturday---FTUC-k5r29s/
• The date and risks for the Election.Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube says the the date of the forthcoming elections should have been announced by now. This is a critical issue for all political parties. 
• http://fijivillage.com/news/Let-everyone-know-the-election-date---Narube-k25rs9
• Narube  differs with Electoral Commission and outlines risks for a fair election   http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/03/31/vote2018-the-people-must-know-the-risks-to-a-free-and-fair-elections/
• Fiji and the UN. PM Voqere Bainimarama conveyed his thoughts on the need for greater UN presence in Fiji and the Pacific at a meeting with the President of the United Nations General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés. The President commended the PM on his efforts on gender parity in the military and peacekeeping operations. The PM will deliver Fiji’s national statement at the 73rd United National General Assembly on Friday (the same day as NZ's Jacinda Adern). http://fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-calls-for-more-UN-presence-in-the-Pacific-59rk2s/
• Exports and Imports. Latest figures released by the Bureau of Statistics reveal some positive signs of reduction in various imports and increase in exports. http://fijivillage.com/news/Statistics-Show-Decrease-in-Imports-s2r95k/
• Fiji's Chinese celebrate 163 years in Fiji  http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/24/fijis-chinese-community-celebrates-163-years-here/

SAMOA

• PM Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week, where China assured that it was willing to help Samoa tackle climate change. http://samoaobserver.ws/en/24_09_2018/local/37056/PM-Tuilaepa-completes-successful-China-visit.htm
• Most Samoan villagers believe fishing environment degraded http://samoaobserver.ws/en/24_09_2018/local/37055/Survey-finds-three-quarters-of-villagers-in-fishing-district-believe-the-environment-has-degraded.htm

COOK ISLANDS.

• Economic vision focuses on diversification. http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/local/item/70828-economic-vision-focuses-on-diversification
• Key points from the  2018Budget.  http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/local/item/70834-key-points-from-budget-2018

SOLOMON ISLANDS.

• Community evacuated for World War II bomb disposal. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/20924-community-ordered-to-evacuate-for-bomb-removal
• National University launches postgrad health certificate. http://www.solomontimes.com/news/national-university-launches-postgraduate-programme/8825

PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

• Australia plans naval base on Manus Island. https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/367120/call-for-consultation-in-png-as-plans-for-an-australian-navy-base-are-raised
• Claims Bougainville referendum  being sabotaged. https://postcourier.com.pg/momis-claims-referendum-sabotaged/
• Bougainville. To mine or not to mine again. https://postcourier.com.pg/mine-not-mine-bougainvilles-big-question/
• An intriguing history of Manus, today a detention centre

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/manus-maketh-man/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20The%20Strategist&utm_content=Daily%20The%20Strategist+CID_1cb75aabc0f7a7eb9869e45c75d733a9&utm_source=CampaignMonitor&utm_term=Manus%20maketh%20man

VANUATU 

• China-Vanuatu relations rebust.  http://dailypost.vu/news/sino-vanuatu-relationship-remains-robust/article_98f45655-c938-56ba-ae15-e640262c4e5f.html