New Zealand organisation donates medical supplies to TARD for Malu'u Clinic

A non governmental organisation in New Zealand known as the Medical Aid Abroad (MAANZ) has donated twelve boxes of medical supplies to Malu'u Clinic in partnership with the To'abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) volunteer group.

The supplies will be flown into Honiara from New Zealand via a New Zealand Air Force plane that will arrive in Honiara this Saturday December 1st 2007.

It is understood the need was forwarded to TARD from clinic authorities at Malu'u in September which was later forwarded to MAANZ for consideration.

This latest assistance would mark the third for MAANZ towards TARD after two previous assistance of supplies in December 2006 and an infant incubator for Maluu Clinic in June this year.

TARD is therefore very grateful to the MAANZ organisation for their continuous committment to improving the health service delivery in North Malaita as well as believing in a youth developed, youth led volunteer group as TARD.

TARD facilitates Solomon Islands Triathlon visit to North Malaita

The To'abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) youth developed, youth led volunteer group has successfully facilitated a 3 day visit by officials from the Solomon Islands Triathlon Association in Honiara to North Malaita last week.

According to Mr Exsley Taloiburi who coordinated the visit for the three Triathlon officials, the trip was used purposely to identify suitable venues for proposed training workshops and competitions in December for rural youths in North Malaita.

Representatives from the Solomon Islands Triathlon Association that went to North Malaita last week include an Australian volunteer who works as the Sports Development Officer, Mr Hilton Williams and two local colleagues Mr Laban and Ms Rose Filia.

Triathlon is an athletic event consisting of swimming, cycling and running over various distances. In most modern triathlons, these events are placed back-to-back in immediate sequence and a competitor's official time includes the time required to "transition" between the individual legs of the race, including any time necessary for changing clothes and shoes.

It is understood that this is the first time for Solomon Islands Triathlon to extend its activities to Malaita Province.

Six Solomon Islanders win Australian Leadership Award Scholarships for 2008

Six Solomon Islanders have been awarded the 2008 Australian Leadership Award (ALA) Scholarship to undertake Masters and Doctorate level of studies in Australia next year among other scholars from the Asia Pacific region.

The Solomon Islands awardess are Mr Mechior Mataki, Mr Jack Maebuta, Mr George Sanau, Luisa Fakaia, Mrs Jenifer Fugui and another unnamed scholar. All the awardees would be pursuing Masters level of studies except Mr Maebuta and Mr Mataki who would be doing doctorate studies.

It is understood the Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) Scholarships are a component of the Australian Leadership Awards, a regional program under the Australian Scholarships initiative. Australian Leadership Awards aim to develop leadership, build partnerships and linkages within the Asia-Pacific.

They are intended for those who are already leaders or have the potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes, both in their own countries and in the Asia-Pacific region.

ALA Scholarships are academically elite awards offered to high achievers from the Asia-Pacific region each year to undertake postgraduate study (Masters or Doctorate) and a Leadership Development Program in Australia.

Objectives of ALA Scholarships are to:
- develop a cadre of leaders advancing regional reform, development and governance
- increase exchange of knowledge and information within the region
- build common purpose and understanding between Australia and the region
- build capacity to address priority regional issues
- build effective networks between Australia and the region
- demonstrate the benefits of Australian education through the provision of high quality education.

The ALA Scholarship initiative commenced this year with first intakes from Solomon Islands including Mr Isaac Lekelalu, Mr Morris Namoga, Mr Exsley Taloiburi and Mr Robson Lumukana.

KOLI JOINS GRAND COALITION FOR CHANGE GOVERNMENT

By Chris Leua

Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal, MrJohnson Koli was sworn in this afternoon as Minister for Communications, Aviation and Meteorology.

Mr Koli is the latest member of the Parliamentary Opposition to join the Government following the mass resignation from the government of eight ministers and a government back-bencher on 10 November.

Former Communications, Aviation and Meteorology Minister, Patrick Vahoe, who has also defected from the Government side, has already rejoined the government side earlier, and was sworn in as Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Members of Parliament who were recently sworn in as ministers are Patrick Vahoe, Trevor Olovae, Martin Magga, Martin Sopaghe, Peter Boyers and Johnson Koli

Source: PMC

Mr Boyers is without principles: Huni'ehu-after Boyers made decision to be minister of finance

Opposition spokesman for Finance and Treasury, and M-P for East Are-Are Edward Huni'ehu has expressed surprise at the swearing in of his former Opposition colleague as Finance Minister in the Sogavare-led government.

Former outspoken Opposition member and M-P for West New Georgia and Vona Vona, Peter Boyers was sworn in as Finance Minister yesterday afternoon as soon as he had arrived in the country.

Mr Huni'ehu says Mr Boyers acceptance of the portfolio only shows that he is a person without principles.

He says Mr Boyers has now joined a government of which he had been a major critic on fundamental issues among which were the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Julian Moti issue.

Mr Huni'ehu says Mr Boyers accepted the Finance portfolio for his own selfish interests and not on national interests which he says he represents.

He says outside forces may be responsible for the decision Mr Boyers has made because no-one can reconcile or measure his actions against the public statements he had made over the last two years.

"May be someone with other interests may have influenced his decision. Because if you read between the lines, the way Mr Boyers has been criticising government over the last two years, his action by joining the same government that he had been critical about demonstrates that there must some outside forces involve his decision. It couldn't be him alone."

Source: SIBC

The National Council of Women congragulates a woman elected to be member of Makira Ulawa Provincial government

General Secretary of the National Council of Women Ella Kauhue says the success of Nesta Marahora in winning the ward 10 seat in the Makira Ulawa Provincial elections is a big step not only for women in the province but in Solomon Islands.

In a congratulatory statement to Mrs Marahora, Ms Kauhue says her victory shows that people of the province are prepared to see women participate in the decision making process and to represent them at the provincial level.

She says this also shows that voters have confidence in a woman to lead them forward in the next four years.

Ms Kauhue says the Council has been working hard to see that women get into provincial and national decision making levels.

"The National women of Council had been working hard to support and promote women to get into both national and provincial levels of decision-making in the country. For Marahora to fulfil that is a big achievement for women in Solomon Islands."

Source: SIBC

North Malaitans want change in leadership

A NORTH Malaita community leader says his people want a change in political leadership. Patrick Fatai told the Solomon Star from Auki by phone yesterday that his people in Malu’u are fed up of Manasseh Sogavare’s leadership style.

“We fully support moves by the Opposition to oust Mr Sogavare,” Mr Fatai said. “If they are successful, we felt the most ideal person to take over as prime minister is Dr Derick Sikua,” Mr Fatai said.

He said the people of Malu’u have now realised the hypocritical style of leadership demonstrated by Mr Sogavare in the last 18 months. “Mr Sogavare had claimed to have the people of this nation at heart. That was not true.

“From what we’ve seen up until now, he only has Julian Moti at heart,” Mr Fatai said. He said north Malaitans appreciate the government’s bottom up approach policy.

However, he said while the government talked so much about this policy, it is not really putting its energy and support behind it. “Instead, the government, under Mr Sogavare’s leadership, diverted much of its attention and focus on protecting Mr Moti.

“We were saddened to learn that Mr Sogavare spent $1 million to pay for Mr Moti’s legal fees. “This is a huge amount of money that could best be utilised to fund rural projects.”

Mr Fatai said it was obvious that Mr Sogavare’s style of leadership was dictatorial and he must be removed.

He urged government ministers who resigned recently to stick with the Opposition and help to get rid of Mr Sogavare. He said this is the right time for a change in leadership.

Meanwhile, Mr Fatai described comments by Western Province premier, Alex Lokopio, on the radio at the weekend as “unthinkable”. Mr Lokopio, after a meeting with Mr Sogavare, had asked ministers from Western Province who defected, to rejoin the government.

But Mr Fatai said the move taken by the defected government ministers and backbenchers was in the best interest of the nation. “Mr Lokopio should remember that this government had arranged for the illegal landing of Mr Moti in his province. “This shows that Mr Sogavare has no respect for the government and people of Western Province, especially those at Munda,” Mr Fata said.

He said he hoped Mr Lokopio was not misled by the embattled prime minister.
“If Mr Lokopio cares about his people, then this is not the type of government he should support. “For this government cares more for its cronies than the people of Solomon Islands,” Mr Fatai said.

Source: Solomonstar

Opposition deny defection within opposition

The Parliamentary Opposition has denied the claim that four of its members have joined the Manasseh Sogavare-led government.

A source earlier told SIBC News that the four Opposition that have defectors are: M-P for West New Georgia and Vona Vona, Peter Boyers; East Kwaio MP, Stanley Sofu; East Are Are MP, Edward Huni'ehu and MP for Fataleka, Steve Abana.

But the MPs have categorically denied the claim that they have joined the government.

Mr Abana says he condemns the method used by the government to prolong the situation, and failing to fill the vacant Ministerial seats.

He re-iterates that the Opposition has the support of 26 MPs.

Mr Abana says Opposition members remain unmoved

Source: SIBC

Australian Politics: Kevin Rudd elected as Australian new leader

Kevin Rudd's landslide win in the federal election tonight makes him only the second Queenslander to be elected to lead the country.

His ascension to the prime ministership comes 92 years after the last Queenslander held the top job - Labor's Andrew Fisher.

Artie Fadden and Frank Forde also hailed from the Sunshine State and had stints as PM, but they were only filling in for 40 days in 1941 and six days in 1945 respectively.

ABC News Online asked three experts in federal politics about what Australians can expect from the new Rudd Government, and how his rural Queensland background and personality will shape his leadership.

Professor John Wanna from the Australian National University, Associate Professor Carol Johnson from the University of Adelaide and Dr Rae Wear from the University of Queensland agree that Mr Rudd will be a cautious, exacting and quite conservative leader.

Dr Wear says the fact that he's from Queensland makes a difference to voters there.

"I think Queenslanders are notoriously parochial - I guess all states are - so I think it will be a boost to his popularity in this state and certainly help him," she said.

Professor Wanna also notes that Mr Rudd has enjoyed reasonable popularity in his home state, and says Queenslanders will welcome having a local in the Lodge.

"Queensland hasn't had many national leaders - [former Labor Opposition leader] Bill Hayden was the last and then you've got to go back to people like Forde and Fadden before you find a Queenslander who's led the country, so that would be a big issue," he said.

Associate Professor Johnson says Mr Rudd has tried to turn his Queensland origins into an advantage in two ways.

"Firstly in the leadership struggle he pointed out how crucial Queensland votes would actually be for Labor to win the next election, and secondly he's actually tried to use his rural background as an advantage by suggesting that basically he'll be a socially conservative, safe pair of hands who can look after the country and look after the economy," she said.


Caution, pragmatism

Contrary to environment spokesman Peter Garrett's infamous 'jocular' remark on November 2 that Labor would change all its 'me too' policies once elected, the three academics say the Rudd Government is likely to be fairly conservative and very cautious.

Professor Wanna says it will be characterised by pragmatism and managerialism.

"They will do some things that may surprise people, but I don't think it's going to be a radical government or a government that's going to burn a path towards a new social democracy," he said.

Associate Professor Johnson says having led Labor to victory after 11 years of the Howard Government, Mr Rudd is in an extremely powerful position as Labor leader.

"He's already indicated that he wants to have quite a lot of say in who's actually going to be in his shadow cabinet and make decisions there, taking power away from Caucus; he has a reputation from his time in Queensland and indeed during the campaign, of being a bit of a control freak," she said.

"So I think he'll actually try to be quite a powerful leader, especially because I think he'll want to reduce some of the power of the factions."

Dr Wear says the indications so far are that Mr Rudd is fairly controlling, but that may change now that the campaign is won.

"Certainly at the moment he gives every impression of being a very dominant leader and he's even gone further than previous Labor leaders in saying that he'll choose his own cabinet and things like that," she said.

In the Pacific Islands, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and Interime Prime Minister of Fiji has welcome Mr. Kevin Rudd as Australia's new top leader. The two leaders hope to normalise the deteriorating relationship that their country had with Canberra over the past years under the leadership of Howard.

Source: ABC

GOV’T TO SEEK HIGH COURT RULING ON CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

By Chris Leua

The Government, through its Attorney General, will be seeking legal clarifications from the High Court on various constitutional requirements regarding the disputed meanings and applications of sections of the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament before the next meeting of Parliament.

The sections involve provisions that would allow the Governor General to intervene in the current political impasse.

Attorney General Julian Moti has made the Government’s intention known in his letter yesterday to the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena.

The Attorney General has named Leader of the Official Opposition, the Leader of the Independent Members and the Governor General as defendants.

In the letter, the Attorney General states that in the current political climate, “it is inevitable that the present political crisis will ultimately travel along a litigious path for the final and authoritative resolution by the judiciary of the dispute concerning the proper meaning and applications of sections 102(1) and 103(1) of the Constitution and the circumstances which necessitates your intervention under Order 7(3) of the Standing Orders of the National Parliament.”

“In my role as the principal legal advisor to the Government, I have decided to initiate proceedings in the High Court for the authoritative determination of these issues which currently divide legal opinion sourced by the respective legal adversaries.”

“Necessarily, both Leaders of the Official Opposition and the Leader of the Independent Members are being joined as parties to the Originating Summons.”

The Attorney General proposed to file the case to the High Court on Friday.

Sir Nathaniel Waena during his national address today said it is the Government’s right to take the matter to the High Court.

“I will have no say on this”, said Sir Nathaniel.

Source: PMC

New Caledonia and New Zealand grab soccer world cup win

Oceania’s pathway to the OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is now a two-horse race after New Caledonia and New Zealand recorded big victories over Fiji and Vanuatu respectively.

New Caledonia has all but ended Fiji’s hopes in the competition with a 4-0 demolition of Juan Carlos Buzzetti’s team. Influential midfielder Pierre Wajoka (pictured) opened the scoring after 29 minutes before Michel Hmae scored his first goal just two minutes later to give Didier Chambaron’s team a useful 2-0 first half edge.

New Caledonia put the result beyond doubt with two similarly quick strikes again from Hmae after 60 minutes and then through Marius Mapou in the 63rd minute.

New Caledonia had two players yellow carded with Longue and Bako receiving cautions whilst Fiji saw three players cautioned with Valerio Nawatu, captain Pita Rabo and midfielder Tuvura all yellow carded by the referee. The defeat means Fiji are all but eliminated from the competition.

Ricki Herbert’s New Zealand team were too powerful for Vanuatu defeating the visitors 4-1 at Westpac Trust Stadium thanks to goals from David Mulligan in the 14th and 81st minutes and Shane Smeltz with a 29th penalty and a 34th minute.

Vanuatu earned a consolation goal when substitute Francois Sakama pulled one back in the 50th minute but the New Zealanders were in control from start to finish striking the woodwork on at least two occasions.

The victory puts New Zealand in first place with three wins from three matches in the competition and odds-on favourites to lift the OFC Nations Cup and secure the Stage 3 qualification berth for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Source: OFC FOOTBALL

Young People want active role in youth development

The new Human Development Programme Adviser for Youth at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Rose Maebiru in an interview with the Pacific Magazine further stressed that society must take youth issues seriously.

"This means that young people must be supported and guided to lead and manage their issues and other issues facing their communities," Ms. Maebiru told the Pacific Magazine.

She stated that youth development has a very wide impact as what affects young people eventually affects the wider community.

"This position gives me space to do crucial work like establishing networks and utilising existing ones to strengthen youth development," the young 32 year-old told the Pacific Magazine.

"If you draw links between lack of education and crime, for example, you can see that what is initially a youth issue eventually becomes an issue for the entire community."

Ms. Maebiru, who has been involved in youth development work since 2004, believes that her young age is an advantage in her job.

"I often draw my own experiences and can relate easily to young people," she told the Pacific Magazine, adding that being in the field 'by accident', she has, over time, developed a passion about youth development.

The implementation of regional and national plans and policies is crucial to addressing youth issues, but regional initiatives must be well coordinated to be effective at country level.

It is anticipated that the Pacific Youth Mapping Exercise, a research project that is being run by the SPC Human Development Programme, will contribute to coordinating regional efforts.

The exercise aims to record all the services and projects for youth that exist in the Pacific, and store this information in an open-access database.

"The database will be a fantastic resource to help establish an organised regional approach to youth development," Ms. Maebiru stated.

She described the integrated approach to human development fostered by SPC's Human Development Programme as very positive for the youth sector because approaching development from a wider angle will help address issues that sometimes get overlooked - for example, those affecting young women.

'Young women always slip through the cracks because talk about youth tends to focus on young men, and talk about women tends to target older women. But looking at youth together with gender will help to better address young women's needs,' Ms. Maebiru added.

Source: Solomon times

Guadalcanal and Malaita cattle farming ready for operation

About eight kilometers east of Honiara, a party of around 15 men were busy erecting wooden posts and stringing barbed wires around the precincts of a 220-hectare grassland. There were no cattle in the paddocks as yet, but visions of little hoofs stomping under the overgrown rain trees are starting to become a reality.

The group headed by Patrick Sakuman, a former employee of the Livestock Development Authority (LDA), is presently rebuilding the former government Tenavatu Farm and Research Center. The reconstruction is carried out in preparation for one of the most significant agricultural imports in the post-conflict years expected to arrive in the country in January next year - a herd of 700 cattle deemed most suitable for the country’s climate.

After the successful signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ghaobata and Tenavatu Landowners (GTL) last month, the farm, situated near Foxwood, is now undergoing its initial phase of reconstruction.

On Friday last week, a combined delegation from both the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and Chiefs from GTL, made an assessment visit to the farm, now re-named the Tenavatu Quarantine and Breeding Farm, to observe the progress of the reconstruction since work started on September. The initial work currently undertaken includes the construction of fencing perimeters and a stockyard, clearing of paddocks which are densely covered with forests, and the clearing of the ground-breaking area in the old Tenavatu football field.

Cattle Herd
Permanent Secretary of MAL, Edward Kingmele, said the farm, initially, will be the quarantine and the breeding site the proposed 700 heads after their arrival from Australia early next year. Four small-holder cattle farms from Malaita and three from Guadalcanal will benefit the first offspring of the pregnant herd.

At the farm, the herd will be allowed to breed while Agriculture and Quarantine officials continue to monitor the growth, health conditions and adaptability of the young calves. When the responsible authorities are adequately satisfied with their progress, the newly-born calves will then be distributed to the intended farmers.

Mr Kingmele said much of the funding for the National Cattle Development Project (NCDP) was made possible by the assistance from the Republic of China (Taiwan) who has allocated $10-million for the importation of the first herd next year. While the first importation is earmarked for farmers in Malaita and Guadalcanal, other provinces will be included in later imports.

“The Department has its plans for the annual importation of 700 heads. This figure is likely to increase depending on the success of the first imports. And when the Department can establish that the first import is successful, we are looking at annually importing pregnant cows within the next five years. And with the subsequent imports, we will be able to carry out the National Cattle Development Project that will cater for as much small-holder and nuclear cattle farms throughout the provinces as much as possible”, said Mr Kingmele.

He added the importation of the first herd will depend almost entirely on the completion of the construction of the Tenavatu Farm expected to be in December.

Contractor Mr Patrick Sakuman envision the completion of the stockyard in early December. That is, if there is no hiccup in the provision of finance by the Ministry to ensure reconstructions progresses in a consistent manner.

Project Manager of NCDP Duddley Wate revealed the construction of perimeter fences will have been completed by the end of the month should the required materials are made available to contractors. Four contractors have been assigned to carry out in the building fences.

At the t ime of the visit, only less than 500 meters of fenceline remains to be dug and erected with posts. Putting up barbed and plain wires remains the only task to be done, said Mr Wate.

Ground-breaking Ceremony
Despite some of the hiccups encountered during the reconstruction, which are mostly due to finance, logistics and land issues, a planned groundbreaking ceremony is also an important aspect of the farm rebuilding. A six-man committee is being formed between MAL-Livestock and GTL to organise the ground-breaking ceremony and to discuss what each party should contribute towards the official ceremony.

Proposed for December at the earliest, the ceremony is also expected to coincide with the formal ratification of the partnership agreement outlined in the MOU signed earlier. Mr Kingmele said the MOU is now before the Commissioner of Lands and the Attorney General’s Office for formal endorsement.

The result of the partnership agreement and the eventual signing of the MOU was made possible after years of on-going dialogue between the Tenavatu landowners and the Ministry.

Although the consultations has to start from scratch as the former Tenavatu Station have been left in desolate ruins after the 2000 crisis, the partnership agreement has been well received by the landowning units who are also actively involved in the reconstruction process.

“The relationship between the Ministry and the landowners is very cordial. The partnership will receive its formal blessing during the official opening of the Farm. Once the formal processes are over, the Ministry will in turn look at ways to maximise benefits to the farmers under the arrangement.”

The Permanent Secretary also attributed the immediate response from the landowners and their eagerness to resume cattle farming as a significant factor in the quick implementation of the Tenavatu project.

Meanwhile, the partnership agreement is having favourable response from many interested cattle farmers throughout the country, with many farmers already making known their intention of entering into the same agreement with the Ministry.

“Most of the local farmers have their fences and other relevant infrastructures needing repairs or other forms of assitance to be able to be in operation again. Many farmers see the partnserhip agreement as a solution to achieve that end. And with good reason. The cattle industry in the country needs to be rejuvenated”, Mr Kingmele said.

Farmers Projects
Apart from financial assistance rendered to farmers in the form of tools and equipment, under the proposed partnership agreement, landowners are also awarded goodwill payments for the use of their land. The Ministry will be also providing young calves to new or existing farms associated with the National Cattle Project.

For the ear-marked cattle projects in Guadalcanal, their work program and budget are being actively pursued and implemented by way of brushing fence lines, digging of posts and brushing of paddocks since last month, October.

First cash payments totaling $7,650 for initial developments were made to the three farmers, also in October. In the case of the four farmers in Malaita that are also selected as part of the project, it was decided that their case needs further sorting out and was temporarily put on halt due to some complications in the implementation of that particular component of the project.

Nevertheless, all of the Malaita farmers are determined on carrying out their projects and most of them are already made progress in their preparations, Mr Kingmele said.

One cattle farm visited by the delegation at the Ngalibiu area has a healthy herd of 18 cattles. According to the owner of the ranch, Arthur Mane, it took some eight years to be able to reach the current number of cattles from just one bull and one cow he had started with.

Farmers, however, need assistance in one form or another, said Mr Kingmele. “Whether it be assistance in tools, equipment, barbed wires, nails or just proper advice, we may have to start all over again, but at least, the Ministry is offering to get the industry back up and operating.”

Food security
An important component of the National Cattle Development Project is attempting to decrease beef imports while ensuring food security in beef production.

According to Mr Kingmele, beef imports to the country each year amount to $10-million, a staggering sum for country that has enough resources to develop its own cattle industry. Furthermore, imported beef are comparatively expensive, say, if we can just imports from other Pacific Island countries.

Mr Kingmele said during a recent trip by MAL officials to Vanuatu last month, it was found out that the cattle industry in Vanuatu has been very successful that made it possible for them to slaughter up to 80 herds in one day and exporting them to mostly European and Asian countries, while still able to cater for the demands of the domestic market.

It is this scenario that MAL is working towards with the National Cattle Project, he said.

However, the most important success of the Vanuatu trip was the proposal for the direct import of beef from Vanuatu.

“While we continue with our breeding programs and try to address food security in this area in agriculture, we have also put forward our proposal to the Vanuatu government for the direct importation of beef to Solomon Islands. The Ministry hopes that beef imports from Vanuatu will lessen our reliance on other international exporters. Moreover, our governments can work together in assisting each other in developing our cattle industries.”

After the 2000 crisis, the number of herds of cattle in the country plummeted to 3000 from 40,000 in the previous years. Such marked decline has brought the cattle industry in the Solomon Islands almost to its knees. Currently, most of the beef produced in the country are predominantly for local consumption, with farmers only sourcing orders from local abattoirs, parties and feasts.

But with the resumption of the industry, there is a high chance that Solomon Islands may once again be one of an important beef producer in the Pacific region.

“We have worked out much of what contributed to our failure during the pre-conflict years. It seems our biggest problem is our strategy. However, under the new National Cattle Project, we pursue our goals to get the small-holders develop into big industries. And one of the strategy to achieve this is to get into setting up processing plants of which we can derive more value for our beef, either through the domestic market or the international market”, said Mr Kingmele.

About eight kilometers east of Honiara, a party of around 15 men were busy erecting wooden posts and stringing barbed wires around the precincts of a 220-hectare grassland. There were no cattle in the paddocks as yet, but visions of little hoofs stomping under the overgrown rain trees are starting to become a reality.

The group headed by Patrick Sakuman, a former employee of the Livestock Development Authority (LDA), is presently rebuilding the former government Tenavatu Farm and Research Center. The reconstruction is carried out in preparation for one of the most significant agricultural imports in the post-conflict years expected to arrive in the country in January next year - a herd of 700 cattle deemed most suitable for the country’s climate.

After the successful signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ghaobata and Tenavatu Landowners (GTL) last month, the farm, situated near Foxwood, is now undergoing its initial phase of reconstruction.

On Friday last week, a combined delegation from both the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and Chiefs from GTL, made an assessment visit to the farm, now re-named the Tenavatu Quarantine and Breeding Farm, to observe the progress of the reconstruction since work started on September. The initial work currently undertaken includes the construction of fencing perimeters and a stockyard, clearing of paddocks which are densely covered with forests, and the clearing of the ground-breaking area in the old Tenavatu football field.

Cattle Herd
Permanent Secretary of MAL, Edward Kingmele, said the farm, initially, will be the quarantine and the breeding site the proposed 700 heads after their arrival from Australia early next year. Four small-holder cattle farms from Malaita and three from Guadalcanal will benefit the first offspring of the pregnant herd.

At the farm, the herd will be allowed to breed while Agriculture and Quarantine officials continue to monitor the growth, health conditions and adaptability of the young calves. When the responsible authorities are adequately satisfied with their progress, the newly-born calves will then be distributed to the intended farmers.

Mr Kingmele said much of the funding for the National Cattle Development Project (NCDP) was made possible by the assistance from the Republic of China (Taiwan) who has allocated $10-million for the importation of the first herd next year. While the first importation is earmarked for farmers in Malaita and Guadalcanal, other provinces will be included in later imports.

“The Department has its plans for the annual importation of 700 heads. This figure is likely to increase depending on the success of the first imports. And when the Department can establish that the first import is successful, we are looking at annually importing pregnant cows within the next five years. And with the subsequent imports, we will be able to carry out the National Cattle Development Project that will cater for as much small-holder and nuclear cattle farms throughout the provinces as much as possible”, said Mr Kingmele.

He added the importation of the first herd will depend almost entirely on the completion of the construction of the Tenavatu Farm expected to be in December.

Contractor Mr Patrick Sakuman envision the completion of the stockyard in early December. That is, if there is no hiccup in the provision of finance by the Ministry to ensure reconstructions progresses in a consistent manner.

Project Manager of NCDP Duddley Wate revealed the construction of perimeter fences will have been completed by the end of the month should the required materials are made available to contractors. Four contractors have been assigned to carry out in the building fences.

At the t ime of the visit, only less than 500 meters of fenceline remains to be dug and erected with posts. Putting up barbed and plain wires remains the only task to be done, said Mr Wate.

Ground-breaking Ceremony
Despite some of the hiccups encountered during the reconstruction, which are mostly due to finance, logistics and land issues, a planned groundbreaking ceremony is also an important aspect of the farm rebuilding. A six-man committee is being formed between MAL-Livestock and GTL to organise the ground-breaking ceremony and to discuss what each party should contribute towards the official ceremony.

Proposed for December at the earliest, the ceremony is also expected to coincide with the formal ratification of the partnership agreement outlined in the MOU signed earlier. Mr Kingmele said the MOU is now before the Commissioner of Lands and the Attorney General’s Office for formal endorsement.

The result of the partnership agreement and the eventual signing of the MOU was made possible after years of on-going dialogue between the Tenavatu landowners and the Ministry.

Although the consultations has to start from scratch as the former Tenavatu Station have been left in desolate ruins after the 2000 crisis, the partnership agreement has been well received by the landowning units who are also actively involved in the reconstruction process.

“The relationship between the Ministry and the landowners is very cordial. The partnership will receive its formal blessing during the official opening of the Farm. Once the formal processes are over, the Ministry will in turn look at ways to maximise benefits to the farmers under the arrangement.”

The Permanent Secretary also attributed the immediate response from the landowners and their eagerness to resume cattle farming as a significant factor in the quick implementation of the Tenavatu project.

Meanwhile, the partnership agreement is having favourable response from many interested cattle farmers throughout the country, with many farmers already making known their intention of entering into the same agreement with the Ministry.

“Most of the local farmers have their fences and other relevant infrastructures needing repairs or other forms of assitance to be able to be in operation again. Many farmers see the partnserhip agreement as a solution to achieve that end. And with good reason. The cattle industry in the country needs to be rejuvenated”, Mr Kingmele said.

Farmers Projects
Apart from financial assistance rendered to farmers in the form of tools and equipment, under the proposed partnership agreement, landowners are also awarded goodwill payments for the use of their land. The Ministry will be also providing young calves to new or existing farms associated with the National Cattle Project.

For the ear-marked cattle projects in Guadalcanal, their work program and budget are being actively pursued and implemented by way of brushing fence lines, digging of posts and brushing of paddocks since last month, October.

First cash payments totaling $7,650 for initial developments were made to the three farmers, also in October. In the case of the four farmers in Malaita that are also selected as part of the project, it was decided that their case needs further sorting out and was temporarily put on halt due to some complications in the implementation of that particular component of the project.

Nevertheless, all of the Malaita farmers are determined on carrying out their projects and most of them are already made progress in their preparations, Mr Kingmele said.

One cattle farm visited by the delegation at the Ngalibiu area has a healthy herd of 18 cattles. According to the owner of the ranch, Arthur Mane, it took some eight years to be able to reach the current number of cattles from just one bull and one cow he had started with.

Farmers, however, need assistance in one form or another, said Mr Kingmele. “Whether it be assistance in tools, equipment, barbed wires, nails or just proper advice, we may have to start all over again, but at least, the Ministry is offering to get the industry back up and operating.”

Food security
An important component of the National Cattle Development Project is attempting to decrease beef imports while ensuring food security in beef production.

According to Mr Kingmele, beef imports to the country each year amount to $10-million, a staggering sum for country that has enough resources to develop its own cattle industry. Furthermore, imported beef are comparatively expensive, say, if we can just imports from other Pacific Island countries.

Mr Kingmele said during a recent trip by MAL officials to Vanuatu last month, it was found out that the cattle industry in Vanuatu has been very successful that made it possible for them to slaughter up to 80 herds in one day and exporting them to mostly European and Asian countries, while still able to cater for the demands of the domestic market.

It is this scenario that MAL is working towards with the National Cattle Project, he said.

However, the most important success of the Vanuatu trip was the proposal for the direct import of beef from Vanuatu.

“While we continue with our breeding programs and try to address food security in this area in agriculture, we have also put forward our proposal to the Vanuatu government for the direct importation of beef to Solomon Islands. The Ministry hopes that beef imports from Vanuatu will lessen our reliance on other international exporters. Moreover, our governments can work together in assisting each other in developing our cattle industries.”

After the 2000 crisis, the number of herds of cattle in the country plummeted to 3000 from 40,000 in the previous years. Such marked decline has brought the cattle industry in the Solomon Islands almost to its knees. Currently, most of the beef produced in the country are predominantly for local consumption, with farmers only sourcing orders from local abattoirs, parties and feasts.

But with the resumption of the industry, there is a high chance that Solomon Islands may once again be one of an important beef producer in the Pacific region.

“We have worked out much of what contributed to our failure during the pre-conflict years. It seems our biggest problem is our strategy. However, under the new National Cattle Project, we pursue our goals to get the small-holders develop into big industries. And one of the strategy to achieve this is to get into setting up processing plants of which we can derive more value for our beef, either through the domestic market or the international market”, said Mr Kingmele.

Source: PMC

PM Sogavare clears further opposition allegations

PM SOGAVARE CLEARS FURTHER OPPOSITION ALLEGATIONS
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has rejected further allegations against him by the Opposition Group in its second paid advertisement in the Solomon Star yesterday.

The Opposition group claimed in the advertisement that Mr Sogavare wanted to rearm the police for his own personal security, interfered in the Justice and Legal system and awarded contracts for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) bid and the recently announced cabinet housing estate without going through the proper procedures.

It also suggested that personal legal fees of the MPs for East and Central Honiara, Mr Charles Dausabea and Mr Nelson Ne’e respectively and the Minister for Finance and Treasury, Francis Zama should have been borne by the MPs themselves and not the government.

But responding to the paid advertisement this afternoon, Mr Sogavare said the allegations were fabricated by the ring leaders of the government defector MPs to give substance to their campaign to oust him from power.

He said his Grand Coalition for Change Government had made its position on the issue of rearmament very clear and that was to get the full approval of the people through the proposed review of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands as mandated by parliament in its last sitting before implementing its proposed rearmament programme for the Solomon Islands Police Force.

On the allegation of interference into the Justice and Legal system, Mr Sogavare said he was fully aware of his powers as head of the Executive Arm of the Government and their extents and had never at anytime did he intrude into other arms of the Government.

He said the claim that he ordered the former Acting Attorney General to dismiss charges against the Attorney General, Julian Moti and a person the Opposition referred to as a brother of the former Acting Attorney General was a total lie.

The Prime Minister said he had nothing to do with the case and the Opposition Group’s allegation implied to him that it did not believe that the law could be properly and successfully applied to achieve such victorious result.

As for the allegation on the award of the MCC consultancy contract, Mr Sogavare said the contract was awarded by cabinet to an accredited consultant and that engaged consultant presented a professional job.

He said the consultant was involved in getting Vanuatu’s application to the MCC approved.

On the Cabinet Housing Estate, Prime Minister Sogavare said the cabinet was yet to award the contract to any building constructor and the Quitales Property Limited which the Opposition claimed to have been given the contract only submitted its expression of interest to the Minister for Infrastructure Development after hearing the tender announcement.

The Prime Minister said the claim that he was intending to benefit from the deal was simply outrageous because it was simply contrary to his principles.

As for the decision to engage private lawyers to represent Government Ministers, backbenchers and the Attorney General, Mr Sogavare said it was a decision of the cabinet which the defector Ministers were part of and furthermore the government was obliged to pay for the legal fees of its MPs and also the Attorney General.

The Prime Minister said judging from the lies and misinformation contained in the advertisement, one would be fully justified to conclude that the government was dealing with a group of Parliamentarians who were determined to get what they wanted through dubious means.

Mr Sogavare’s response to the allegations in the Opposition Group’s first paid advertisement in the Solomon Star last Friday was published in yesterday’s issue of the daily paper and was also broadcasted on the National Radio and One News last weekend.

Source: PMC

Former Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) leader accused of demanding money with menace freed by court

A HIGH Court judge yesterday freed former commander of Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) Jimmy Rasta Lusibaea of a charge of demanding money with menace.

His co-accused Alex Bartlett, Andrew Fioga and James Kili were also discharged. The former MEF leaders were charged with demanding money with menace in relation to an incident at the QQQ Wholesale in Honiara in 2000.

But recently, they applied to the High Court arguing that they were covered under the Amnesty Act. This was because the incident occurred between 5 June 2000 and 15 October 2000 – the period covered under the act.

Justice Sekove Naqiolevu in his ruling yesterday said he accepted the accused’s application. He said the four men were granted amnesty because their application came within the provision of the amnesty act.

It was alleged that on 11 July 2000 the four men went into the QQQ bottle shop in China town with a letter written by Alex Bartlett. The letter demanded the shop owners to pay a fine of $25,000 for selling alcohol during hours the MEF had imposed a ban.

Police alleged the four threatened the staff of QQQ. QQQ paid them a cheque of $25,000. The accused made the application on 5th this month – the day their trial should start.

The court ruling means Fioga and Bartlett are now free men. Lusibaea still has two more cases against him – the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) case and the National Referral Hospital case.

Those two cases have been listed for hearing next year. Kili is facing a murder trial listed for next year. Lusibaea and Kili are currently on bail.

Source: Solomon star

"Scandals, lies and excuses" - Lilo urged to be honest

Sacked finance minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is challenged to explain why he has not implemented an $8 million government funding allocated for the civil rehabilitation of devastated infrastructure at Gizo, Western Province.

Mr Lilo in September signed a Financial Disbursement Agreement with the premier of Western Province to disburse the $8 million funding - of which $3 million was allocated purposely for the civil repair and rehabilitation work at Gizo Township.

Official documents from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury showed that Mr Lilo has bypassed the legal tender process to award the civil reconstruction work to a private company which contravenes instructions from the Central Tender Board.

The documents also indicated that Mr Lilo - who led a group of Ministers to join the Opposition - had failed to explain why he signed a $5.4 million contract instead of the initial $3 million dollar allocation for the reconstruction work.

Mr Lilo's controversial deals has angered Western Provincial Premier Alex Lokopio over a three month delay to assist the residents of Gizo and other surrounding areas - who suffered the brunt of the April two Quake and Tsunami.

In a letter on October 30 when Mr Lilo was still Finance Minister, Mr Lokopio raised concern over why the Finance Minister failed to release funds under the "Agency Agreement" signed by Mr Lilo and him (Lokopio) to rehabilitate the disaster victims.

The victims are currently living in tents while awaiting rehabilitation.

In a separate meeting with Mr Lilo and sacked former Deputy Prime Minister, Toswell Kaua on October 17, Mr Lokopio reiterated his concerns over the delay.

The two former government ministers assured Mr Lokopio that the $8 million dollar funding will be released immediately for its intended purpose.

"But since then we are still waiting for the funds," Mr Lokopio said when contacted this afternoon. "I don't know what's wrong with the former finance Minister and now he's joining the opposition".

Former Permanent Secretary of Finance, Luma Darcy today also indicated that more than two million dollars has already paid to the contractor - Red Devil Transport Company - which was contracted to carry out the civil works in Gizo without a proper tender process.

Source: Solomontimes

Soccer: Solomon Islands' Premier DJ league goes global

HONIARA football league, the popular DJ League has been incorporated into the Oceania Football Confederation Website.

This revelation came in exactly one year after DJ League commenced under the sponsorship agreement signed between Honiara Football Association and local company, DJ Graphics Ltd.

A little over a week ago on Friday 2nd November 2007, Oceania Football Confederation Media Officer, Gordon Glen Watson sought the assistance of SIFF to provide coverage of the DJ League on the OFC website.

In a letter sent to the General Secretary of SIFF, Eddie Ngava, Watson raised the need for DJ League to be posted in the web for global readership.

“At present we do not receive regular updates and fixture changes on an ongoing basis, so can a fixture list and all results of DJ League matches be sent to OFC?”, Watson asked in his letter.

SIFF immediately forwarded the request to Impact Sports Marketing, a division of DJ Graphics Ltd, which manages the partnership programme of DJ League.

As project manager, I welcomed the rare opportunity. It is certainly an exposure and a big promotion for football, and as far as we are concerned the support that our sponsorship has been giving the youths of this country is recognised globally now.
SIFF Media Officer, Francis Pituvaka will be coordinating the reports whilst DJ Graphics Ltd will provide accompanying photographs.

I have already sent the DJ League logo and people now can log in through the OFC website to follow the competition in Honiara. Asking why is Oceania Football Confederation is interest in the DJ League growing? There are countless reasons.

First of all, Solomon Islands, under the regional Oceania Federation, is an affiliate of the FIFA family. A family always try to know about each other.

Secondly, football in Solomon Islands may have been providing a yardstick for the region’s development.

Thirdly, the passion of Solomon Islanders about their most popular sport may have been haunting the OFC website in the past, in as far as commentaries are concerned, and it is only fitting for OFC to give them regular updates.

Little by little and day by day, the 36 football teams of the DJ League will be churning out young football stars for the world to sample.

Already a growing number of Solomon Island players that have made their debuts in the local scene are scouted upon and whisked into the Australia and New Zealand leagues. Soon there will be talks to consider the Asian market, and eventually Europe.

With the recent successes of our national Beach Soccer team in the Oceania region, certainly it will cause people to probe into what is happening in Solomon Islands football, futsal and beach soccer codes.

In closing, DJ League is pointing out a direction that will move things forward faster and all stakeholders, especially those that are in the front-desk of power, be it legislative, spiritual or financial should seriously consider acting on this opportunity.

Corporate business houses should now be thinking seriously about venturing into such corporate sponsorship and marketing with the game of football as it certainly is a sport that is very mindful of standards and professionalism.

In doing so, we hope to provide Solomon islands with more satisfying life styles which is an important component of nation building.

This is why DJ League is seen to be a plantation of good leaders. And this could be the vital reason why the Oceania Football Confederation is so interested in our football.

Source: Solomon Star

Prime Minister accused the sacked Minister of finance in his SIBC's Nation address

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare today (Saturday) issued a statement further accusing the former Finance and Treasury minister Gordon Darcy Lilo of spearheading the current political turmoil for personal interest.

The statement which was aired over the national station, SIBC this evening (Saturday) Mr Sogavare accused Mr Lilo of making desperate attempts to cover up trails of his mismanagement of public funds.

The Prime Minister said this is causing unnecessary panic amongst people who have started to see and benefit from the implementation of the government’s bottom up development policy. "I am disappointed because Mr Lilo has managed to confuse a number of government MPs to support his very selfish agenda".

He called on those MPs to reconsider their position with the member for Gizo/Kolombangara and former Minister of Finance.Mr Sogavare said he is surprised the defecting members of his government could deliberately lie about him not consulting cabinet and caucus on major decisions of national interest when their leader Mr Lilo does not believe in it.

"I was accused of pursuing a dictatorial leadership style by the defectors, adding that I did not consult Cabinet and Caucus on all major decisions regarding issues that concern our national interest. I am surprised that the group had the audacity to deliberately lie about this matter. I am not ignorant about the principles of Cabinet government system, which is premised on collective decision making process. I want to stand here and affirm my commitment to the principles of this governing system".

Meanwhile, the prime minister accused his former Finance Minister of defying his directives and failing to consult cabinet on the issue of Solomon Airlines.Mr Sogavare said the Solomon Airlines issue is now an embarrassment to the country.He said Mr Lilo never consulted cabinet on a number of important issues including his decision to use the country's foreign reserve to pay for student's fees in Papua New Guinea institutions."He never consulted the Cabinet when he decided to use our revenue reserve to pay for our students’ fees in Papua New Guinea Institutions because that country withheld their assistance when the former Minister of Finance irresponsibly cancelled their 5th Freedom Right, without any consultations.

"Mr Lilo failed to consult me despite my clear instructions to him that before any more purchases of government vehicles were made I must be fully consulted". Sogavare said.

In defiance of this directive and the correct procedures governing the purchases of vehicles, the former Minister of Finance and the former Minister of Infrastructure Development have committed SBD12.1million on the purchase of government vehicles so far this year. SBD2.8million of this amount is still owing to the suppliers which were not of ineterest to the government's spending.

Source: SIBC

Australia's Foreign Minister comments on Sogavare

Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has said Australia has to be tough in dealing with the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare.

Mr Downer said Mr Sogavare has been hostile and a great obstacle to the Australian-led RAMSI, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Mr Downer told Radio Australia the reason RAMSI stays is it's supported massively by the people of Solomon Islands, and it's supported by them because it works.

He says RAMSI work is costing Australia 800 million Australian dollars..

Mr Downer said the mission has been a great success for Solomon Islands and a great obstacle from Prime Minister Sogavare.

He said he doesn't have a problem having an argument with Prime Minister Sogavare if at the end of the day he's going to help the people of the Solomon Islands.

The Government has advocated a tough line on the South Pacific, while Labor has called for new partnerships.

Federal Opposition defence spokesman Robert McLelland said Australia should be doing much better in the region.

Mr McLelland says the islands of the arc of instability is also Australia's arc of responsibility.

Source: SIBC

Solomon Islands' GG reportedly assures opposition of parliament meeting

The Governor General has reportedly assured the Opposition that he would not allow government to spend public funds in 2008 without a parliamentary resolution to empower the finance minister to expend money before a budget is passed.

Sir Nathaniel Waena made the assurance to opposition leader Fred Fono and the groups' lawyer Gabriel Suri yesterday.

Mr Fono says Sir Nathaniel was advised the 2008 budget would not be ready for debate before the end of the year.

He said it was for that reason that the prime minister advised the clerk to parliament to defer a meeting that was scheduled for November 15.

Mr Fono says Sir Nathaniel was advised that in an exceptional circumstance, the finance minister can authorise spending of monies before he reports to parliament within 90 days from the commencement of the 2008 financial year.

But opposition lawyer Mr Suri argued that delay in preparing a budget is not an exceptional circumstance.

Mr Suri told Sir Nathaniel that the only option available to the prime minister is to convene a meeting of Parliament to pass a resolution which would give power to the minister to authorise spending of public funds.

Mr Fono says the Governor General assured them he would ensure a resolution is passed by parliament before the end of the year.

Source: SIBC

Sir Allan joins Grand Coalition for Change Government

By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister

The Member of Parliament for Savo/Russells and former Prime Minister, Sir Alan Kemakeza has joined the Grand Coalition for Change Government.

Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr Rence Sore said Sir Allan defected to the government bench today and was appointed chairman of the Solomon Islands Water Authority board.

Mr Sore said the Minister for Mines, Energy, Mr Siriako Usa who was also responsible for water resources, this morning signed the necessary instruments to formalize the appointment.

The SIWA board had been without a chairman since the MP for West Are Are, Mr Severino Niuaiasi vacated the position upon his appointment as Minister for Agriculture and Livestock.

Meanwhile the government is expecting more crossovers from the Opposition Group.

Source: PMC

ROC reaelase last payment for 2007 education, training awards

By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister

The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has released the last tranche of its funding for the Solomon Islands Government’s Training and Education Awards for this year.

The Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency George Chan announced the release of the SBD6.7-million tranche in a meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Ambassador Chan said the money was transacted to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands last Friday.

He said Taiwan’s ongoing assistance to Solomon Islands Education sector manifested its commitment to develop Solomon Islands.

Ambassador Chan said education was the key to developing a nation.

Prime Minister Sogavare thanked the Taiwanese government for its continued commitment to assist Solomon Islanders to achieve their educational goals.

Mr Sogavare said all recipients of the government’s training and educational awards should reciprocate Taiwan’s goodwill with commitment to succeed in their studies and training.

Source: PMC

"The Game is now over: PM Sogavare told the people of Solomon Islands"

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last night says the current political upheaval in the country is now over as his government took control of a clear majority once more.

He said despite the confusions and political speculations that were echoed since the weekend emergence of the upheaval, his ruling coalition remains intact and will continue to deliver its promises to the nation.

“I want to announce to the people of Solomon Islands that my ruling coalition still remain in control of the government, despite the confusions and speculations we heard in the past few days since the political crisis happened.

“The Grand Coalition for Change Government under my leadership has now taken command and is now enjoying a clear majority,” Mr Sogavare said.

The Prime Minister last night submitted a list of lawmakers supporting the coalition government to the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena.

“I have already transmitted a list of our committed members to his Excellency the Governor General,” he said. “I want to announce now that the political crisis is now over”.

A weekend defection by nine government MPs has caused political uncertainty over the last four days.

But Mr Sogavare says some MPs have switched back to his government after realizing that they were misled to support just a few disgruntled MPs who want to advance their own agenda’s against his leadership.

He accused former senior government MPs including former Deputy Prime Minister Toswell Kaua, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Steve Abana of political hatred against his leadership.

The Prime Minister says Mr Lilo is not a stable leader and has created problems for the country’s finances.

Source: PMC

RAMSI Assistant Special Coordinator hold talks with North Malaita leaders

RAMSI Assistant Special Coordinator, Mataiasi Lomaloma has held talks with chiefs, leaders and the community in Manakwai Village, North Malaita last week.

Mr Lomaloma said his visit was an indication of how seriously RAMSI took the issue that arose after Tongan soldiers were alleged to have assaulted youths from Manakwai.

He said the visit was to enable him to personally meet with the community and hear what they had to say.

He told the community that RAMSI was sorry for whatever had occurred and asked for their forgiveness.

Mr Lomaloma said he was touched when the community in turn apologised to RAMSI.

The RAMSI Assistant Special Coordinator said he had promised the community that he would report back to them on any action taken by RAMSI in relation to the incident.

Mr Lomaloma traveled to Malaita with the Government’s Special Envoy on RAMSI, Michael Maina, a research officer from the Prime Minister’s Office, Chris Waiwori and RAMSI’s Community Outreach officer, Chris Tarohimae.

Source: SIBC

Prime Minister Sogavare retains numerical strength

The Grand Coalition for Change Government has steadily but comfortably regained its numerical composition with the return of five of its members who defected to the opposition over the weekend in what had been a major shift that threatened the solidarity of the Sogavare-led government.

The Prime Minister earlier brushed aside calls for him to stand down but optimistically asserted that politics in Solomon Islands is unique for last minute cross-over and today his wisdom stands with the return of those who have defected.

On Monday the three backbenchers of the government, Martin Sopage, Martin Maga and Trevor Olavae who had earlier renounced their allegiance to the government rejoined the grand coalition and were subsequently sworn in by the Governor-General at Government House as new Ministers for the ministries of Works and Infrastructure; Justice and legal Affairs; and Planning and Aid Coordination respectively.

In a further turn of events three more of the government’s ministers who have defected to the opposition have revoked their letters of resignations and rejoined the government on Tuesday.

Sam Iduri, Patrick Vahoe and Stanley Sofu who earlier signed the MOU with the Opposition withdrew their signatures and revoked their resignations rendering support to the government.

The political hiccup in recent days that threatened the government following the mass defection of ministers and backbenchers sent shock waves around the country prompting calls for calm and understanding.

But in the face of imminent collapse of government the Prime Minister remained bold and staunchly maintained that those who had defected in support of his two sacked ministers, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Steve Abana, might not have gotten the full explanation of the reasons and truth behind their sacking.

The Prime Minister cited among other things negligence of policy directives, reports of corruption and mismanagement for the sacking of Mr Lilo from the Ministry of Finance, and that his termination of Steve Abana from the Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination was in response to his orchestration of moves to oust him as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, despite the ongoing “numbers game” the government looked set to regaining its numerical strength and the powerbase to continue governing the country and to implement its well strategic policies on rural development and the enhancement of community participation in the rural areas.

The government has placed considerable and strenuous efforts to uphold the sovereignty of this nation and the pursuance of strategic and calculated measures to ensure development in rural areas, so much so that it would not allow political gimmicks to sidetrack the progress so far attained in such a short span of time since taking office in 2006.

The Prime Minister explained that his non-attendance at the recent Forum Leaders Summit, for which he was summarily condemned by his very own ministers who have defected to the opposition, was an action he had only taken in accordance to a Cabinet decision.

The Cabinet resolved to send a protest stance as a demonstration against the forum’s failure to address the key terms of reference of the review of the Facilitation of the International Assistance Act based on the six-point plan of the Solomon Islands Government.

In another recent development further consolidating the government’s hold of power, the three Makira MPs, Bernard Giro – Central Makira, David Sitai – East Makira and Japheth Waipora – West Makira, have unanimously reaffirmed their support for the government and totally denied rumors that they have aligned themselves with the opposition camp in this current political impasse as claimed by the opposition.

Prime Minister Sogavare assured the nation that he is still in total control and the government under his leadership would continue to prioritize the affairs of the people.

The government now as of today has 27 confirmed members thus regaining the majority legally necessary to remain in power with the possibility of increasing its number by the end of the week.

Source:PMC

Confused Mark Roboliu Kemakeza reaffirm his support for Grand Coalition for Change government

The Minister for Forestry, Environment and Conservation, Mark Roboliu Kemakeza has reaffirmed his commitment to the Sogavare-led Coalition for Change Government after signing an MOU to join the Opposition group over the weekend.

The MP for Ngella was one of the government MPs who joined forces with the two sacked ministers, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Steve Abana to defect to the Opposition without tendering any letters of resignation to the government.

Mr Kemakeza said he decided to return to the government after realizing that he had been misled by the two sacked ministers, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Mr Steve Abana about the cabinet reshuffle last week and the termination of their ministerial appointments.

He said the explanation given by Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare for reshuffle of Mr Darcy Lilo to from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the termination of Mr Darcy Lilo and Mr Abana during his Press Conference yesterday cleared the confusion over the sackings.

Mr Kemakeza said he had pledged his loyalty to the government after those misconstrues were cleared.

He said he owed an apology to Prime Minister Sogavare, the other members of the Grand Coalition for Change Government and the people of Solomon Islands for giving in to pressures by the Opposition and the government MPs who defected to the group into signing the MOU.

Source: PMC

Don't leave Sogavare alone lets back: Manga, Olovae and Sopaghe

The current political crisis in the country has taken a not so surprising twist with the return to government of the three government back bench MPs who've announced their resignation yesterday.

The three MPs are immediately appointed to ministerial positions and they have taken their oaths as ministers yeterday afternoon at Government House.

The three are Temotu Pele MP, Martin Maga, South Vella La Vella MP, Trevor Olavae and North Guadalcanal MP Martin Sopaghe.

Mr Maga takes the Justice and Legal Affairs port folio, Mr Olavae was given the National Planning and Aid Coordination ministry whilst Mr Sopaghe takes on the Ministry for Infrastructure Development.

The three had joined nine government ministers in the Grand Coalition for Change Government who announced their resignation from the government yesterday.

The Parliamentary Opposition which has 17 MPs and the faction of breakaway ministers are said to not be shaken by the latest development.

The Opposition Office says none of their members is crossing the floor and they still have the majority with the nine defected ministers.

Source: SIBC

Ministers Lilo, Abana sacked for working against PM

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has terminated the new Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs, Gordon Darcy Lilo and the Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana for lobbying support against his leadership.

Mr Sogavare announced the terminations at a Press Conference yesterday afternoon.

He said Mr Darcy Lilo who had been reshuffled from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs together with Mr Abana had worked aggressively to oust him from office following the reshuffle of the Gizo/Kolombangara MP last week.

Mr Sogavare said the reshuffle came after he received information that Mr Darcy Lilo had mismanaged public funds to seek favour from fellow politicians and private companies to support his own agendas and this was now being investigated.

“This information is supported by a report from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury showing that government cash reserves are almost exhausted due to excessive unaccounted spendings.

“Whilst the Grand Coalition for Change Government has promoted the ‘Bottom-up Approach’ development policy as a solution to the country’s economic and development inefficiencies, it was not reflected in the delivery of government programmes and prioritization of funding allocations during Mr Lilo’s term as the Finance and Treasury Minister,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said Mr Darcy Lilo also failed as the Minister for Finance to make any significant progress in addressing the government’s rehabilitation assistance programme for the earthquake and tsunami-stricken people of the Western and Choiseul Provinces and furthermore failed to provide any formal reconciliation on the disbursement of disaster-related funds that were so far provided by the government.

The Prime Minister said he had also received reports of attempted extortion against the MP for Gizo/Kolombangara from the executives of a certain logging company as well as his involvement in a scandal within the Solomon Airlines.

He said the intention of the Grand Coalition for Change Government was to achieve political stability and progressive development through its policy objectives and the actions of Mr Darcy Lilo were totally detrimental to the achievement of the policy objectives.

Source: PMC

Opposition leader urge GG for an urgent parliament meeting following the crisis within the GCC government

The Governor General has been requested to consider calling for an urgent meeting of Parliament within the next seven days.

Leader of Opposition and other members of Parliament who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to stay together to form a new government made the presentation today at the government house.

Opposition Leader Fred Fono says this will enable Parliament to decide whether or not the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare still has the number to rule.

Mr Fono says the Governor General had assured the group that he will consult the Prime minister on the issue before he decided on what course of action he will take.

Mr Fono says the government ministers and back bench MPs who deserted the government wanted an urgent meeting of Parliament to sort the issue out.

Former Finance & Treasury Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo says minister and back benchers who left the government will support any motion of no confidence against the prime minister.

But Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had earlier stated that Parliament put him in as Prime minister and he will be removed the same way.

He says any sitting of Parliament will be decided on by the Government who will then advise the Governor General accordingly.

Source: SIBC

Solomon Islands' GCC government in crisis

Nine ministers, including deputy Prime Minister Toswell Kaua, and three backbenchers in government have resigned because they no longer have confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 15 Opposition MPs which stipulates that they now have the number to oust the Prime Minister through a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

SIBC News understands a delegation of the defected ministers and government backbenchers have been to Government House this afternoon with the M-O-U, and to discuss with the Governor General the need to call for an urgent meeting of Parliament.

The M-O-U has not taken any position on who could become Prime Minister should this group form a new government.

It's understood the group's immediate priority is to remove the Prime Minister and his coalition government.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare claims he still has the support of MPs in his government, saying he will not resign.

The Prime Minister says, he would rather that Parliament voted him out of office because it was Parliament which voted him in.

Mr Sogavare says he is yet to receive any resignation letter from the nine ministers. He says the letters were addressed to the Governor General not the Prime Minister.

Commenting on the M-O-U which the nine ministers and three backbenchers signed with Opposition MPs, the Prime Minister says it's only a list of signatures and nothing more.

Mr Sogavare however says he has sacked Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo and National Planning and Aid Coordination Minister Steve Abana.

He says Mr Abana was sacked for insubordination, whilst Mr Lilo was sacked for alleged abuse of public funds.

It is not clear if the two ministers were sacked before they could resign.

Both resignations were handed to Government House this morning and they became effective today.

Mr Lilo who until Thursday last week was Finance and Treasury Minister says he will release his reasons for leaving government at a later date.

National Planning and Aid Coordination Minister Mr Abana says he no longer accepts Prime Minister Sogavare's style of leadership.

Mr Abana's resignation came a day after he issued a statement calling on the Prime Minister to step aside.

Source: SIBC

Solomon Islands Finance Minister moved to another Ministry

The Solomon Islands Finance Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has been moved to another ministry.

The reshuffle was announced by Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare yesterday evening saying Mr Lilo will now hold the justice portfolio.

Mr Lilo takes Francis Zama’s place and Mr Zama moves to Finance.

The reshuffle comes amidst the row in Solomon Airlines which resulted in sudden sacking of the financial controller of and grounding of all domestic flights yesterday.

Mr Sogavare say the reshuffle was a normal government process for improving the performance of government ministries.

Source: Radio New Zealand

POLICE COMMISSIONER SUPPORTS REVIEW OF FACILITATION ACT

Police Commissioner Jahir Khan supports government's plan to review the Facilitation of International Assistance Act, saying he is concerned with the manner the act has been framed.

Mr Khan in a press conference yesterday said there was an oversight in the previous government for allowing total immunity from prosecution to RAMSI personnel for incidents in the course of duty.

He said he wants RAMSI officers who are found to have broken the laws of Solomon Islands to face the law in their own countries.

Mr Khan said everyone who visits the country and commits a crime is answerable to the laws of the country.

He said RAMSI has done a wonderful job since it came four years ago and that must not be forgotten.

But Mr Khan said the sovereignty of the country has to be observed by all living in it.

"What happens if somebody decides to murder a couple of people on these islands. You want them to go escort free? That's what it is and the only concern I have. I think every body should be answerable to the law of the land."

Source:SIBC

Pacific News: Targets of alleged Fiji assassination plot named

The targets of the alleged assassination conspiracy uncovered in Fiji have been identified.

The interim prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s name has been known since the story broke on Saturday night.

Radio Legend has named the others targetted as the interim finance minister, Mahendra Chaudhry; the interim attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum; and senior military officers Lt Col Samuela Saumatua and Lt Col Sitiveni Qiliho.

The radio report says the ten alleged suspects, which included Lt Col Jone Baledrokadroka, were earlier charged with treason by police for conspiracy to remove the president, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

The others involved in this alleged conspiracy, which took place between August and November 3rd this year, were Baledrokdroka’s brother-in-law and Naitasiri chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, and New Zealand citizen Ballu Khan.

Baledrokadroka was also charged with instigating an invasion for allegedly conspiring to call for foreigners to invade Fiji with armed force.

The charges of treason and instigating an invasion for this alleged conspiracy were dropped by the director of public prosecutions yesterday.

All ten accused, who include the former director of the disbanded Fiji Intelligence Service, Col Metuisela Mua, a Nadi airport worker and several former soldiers of the
muntinous and disband CRW unit will appear in Suva court today.

They will make a plea on charges of inciting munity and five couunts each of conspiracy to murder.

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Tikopia to established cultural centre to avoid cultural changes

A Cultural centre will be established in Tikopia early next year.This was the idea of John Sevakese and Willie Atamaitonu.

The two Tikopians said this centre should help retain the culture of Tikopia, which is slowing disappearing. “We fear that the modern influence on young people today will bring about change in our traditional society so that’s why we are starting this centre,” Mr Atamaitonu said.

He said the centre would be used to display the tradition and culture of Tikopia and also the historic heritages of the island. Mr Atamaitonu said there would also be a collection of stories from their ancestors displayed in the centre and also stories of the first settlers and how people of that island migrated there and help those who want to research into Tikopian culture.

“It is important for the future generations of this country to maintain their cultural traditions because it is part of our identity and we should be proud of it,” he said.

He added that they have already made consultations with the National Art Gallery to discuss how to start up the centre. Therefore, Mr Atamaitonu appealed to the leaders and the people of Tikopia to support the idea of a cultural centre.

Source: Solomonstar

FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP - NAKA HAT-TRICK NOT ENOUGH

A super hat-trick from James Naka wasn't enough after the Bilikiki Boys lost their final match at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup by 6-3 to Mexico.

Naka opened the scoring after just four minutes for the Solomon Islands but a storming comeback by Mexico saw Gustavo Rosales draw the 'Aztecas' level.

Mexico's attacking efforts continued to reap rewards in the second period, with strikes from Morgan Plata and again Rosales, this time from a free kick, opening up a two-goal lead.

Mexico then had keeper Miguel Estrada to thank for maintaining their advantage on several occasions, but he could do little to prevent Naka from grabbing his second to set up a thrilling last third.

It was then that Mexico came into their own with further strikes from Ricardo Villalobos, Platas and Alejandro Pozos, putting the seal on a historic 6-3 win and quarter-final qualification.

Solomon Islands coach Terrance Van Dillen was proud of his team following the loss but pleaded for the opportunity for more matches ahead of FIFA events for his squad.

"This was a great tournament for us to be part of, and we've loved being here in Rio de Janeiro.

Nowadays in beach soccer, there is less of a gap between the teams, so to compete in a competition of this quality we have to play and test ourselves more against other national teams.

I say that because we're a long way from other countries, but we're looking for ways to achieve those goals," Van Dillen said.

Mexico coach Ramon Raya was emotional at the end of a pulsating encounter.

"I've been part of a lot of important games, but today was the first time I cried at the end of football match.

There are no words to describe how I felt. We knew it was going to be a tough group but we believed we could qualify from it.

Now we should to savour this victory and then turn our thoughts to Spain," Raya said.

Bilikiki Boys goalscoring hero James Naka was generous in his appraisal of Mexico's performance but said Solomon Islands defensive frailties were exposed once again.

"Today's game was very difficult. Mexico ran a lot and performed better physically, while we committed too many mistakes that gave them goal-scoring opportunities.

This is my second World Cup and I hope to continue playing for another six years or so," Naka said.

In the other Group A match Brazil and Russia served up a Beach Soccer classic with the game going to a penalty shoot-out after the scores were tied 2-2, the host nation triumphing 5-4 on spot kicks.

The results mean Brazil and Mexico progress to the quarter finals where Mexico will face Spain and Brazil clash with Portugal in what promises to be a mouth-watering fixture.

France and Argentina will square off on Wednesday for second place in Group D and a place in the quarter-finals.

In Group C, Italy and Uruguay will fight it out separately, the former playing Senegal who have already qualified and the latter facing Japan who have been knocked out.

Source: OFC

Fiji police accused Australia and New Zealand of being link to assasination plot

Police in Fiji have arrested 16 people in the past two days after uncovering an alleged plot against the country's military leader, Frank Bainimarama.

At a press conference in Suva this afternoon, Fiji's Police Commissioner announced that authorities had uncovered a conspiracy to assassinate the interim Prime Minister.

Neighbouring countries, including Australia and New Zealand, were accused of being linked to the plot, but both have angrily rejected the claims as absurd.

No real detail has been given about the alleged plot that reportedly targets members of the Fiji Cabinet and senior military officers, but three of those arrested were charged earlier today with treason, inciting mutiny and conspiracy to murder.

Police say more arrests are likely and the army has been called in to help in the investigation.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation senior journalist Ofa Kaukimoce has been covering the story.

"We've had quite a number of speculations that arms had been brought into the country and that some individuals are being called up to camp to answer questions about that alleged container of arms, but when we asked the military about it, they say it's not true," she said.

"But then everything died down, just as soon as we thought there was nothing really, when this came to the fore."

Among those arrested is New Zealand businessman, Ballu Khan. He is based in Suva and reportedly has close ties to Fiji's SDL Party and ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase.

Mr Khan was allegedly beaten during his arrest and remains in hospital under police guard.

Speaking on New Zealand radio today, Prime Minister Helen Clark condemned Fiji's treatment of Mr Khan.

"I'm absolutely appalled at what happened to that New Zealand citizen and of course, the New Zealand High Commission was prevented from seeing him on the Saturday and he was prevented from getting proper hospital care while they kept him in detention," she said.

"When our High Commission staff did get to see him yesterday, he had difficulty talking because his face was so beaten up.

"He'd been surrounded by guards at the hospital at night - including one who had been part of the assault on him. It's absolutely terrifying, no person should be treated like this."

Ms Clark says it appears the interim Prime Minister and his military-backed regime have ignored the views expressed by fiji's neighbours at the recent Pacific Island Leaders Forum in Tonga.

"What he seems to be doing is finding any excuse to go and round up people who've long been opposed to him," she said.

"Whether this is because he's in a corner, following the pacific island forum meeting, when he got no support... so the clear message was go home and get your government working with the Pacific Island Forum and the EU [European Union] and others to get your country on the road back to democracy."


Claims 'absurd'

Police claim intelligence reports show the alleged plot was bankrolled by non-government agencies funded by neighbouring nations, including Australia and New Zealand.

The allegation has been strongly rejected by Ms Clark.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer also rejects the claims, saying suggestions that Australia may be involved in a conspiracy are absurd.

"It is completely false to suggest that the Australian Government would consider assassinating Commodore Bainimarama or coup leaders in Fiji or that we would in any way wish to see any death occur in Fiji by force of arms, in any circumstances," he said.

"It doesn't do any credit to Commodore Bainimarama's regime to be suggesting that countries like Australia and New Zealand want to go around assassinating them, it's a completely absurd proposition."

John Fraenkel has just returned from Fiji after living there for more than a decade and is now a lecturer in Pacific Studies at the Australian National University.

He is suspicious about the allegations of an assassination plot.

"All of these people who are arrested are the usual suspects, the kind of people one would expect to round up, the kind of people that the military would have been watching like hawks in recent months," he said.

Source: ABC

Noisy General secretary of the National Council of Women urged to avoid childish attack

The Secretary to Cabinet Ruth Liloqula is calling on the General Secretary of the National Council of Women (NCW), Ella Kauhue to avoid using the media to advance her personal grudges against other women.

She said Kauhue’s continuous attack on her is nothing more than trying to bring the attention of the public her dislike of women at government decision-making levels and in leadership.

Ms Liloqula made the remark in response to Ms Kauhue’s second attempt to save face in a debate over a meeting with the Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena last week.

Sir Nathaniel requested Ms Liloqula, Ms Sigimanu and Ms Kauhue to a meeting to clarify and correct constitutional issues that Ms Kauhue earlier raised against the government’s intention to review the Facilitation of International Assistance Act (FIAA) that allows RAMSI into the country.

All three women were not informed of the agenda of the meeting until they met with Sir Nathaniel Waena.

Ms Kauhue inaccurately assumed that the meeting was a plot between the Office of the Prime Minister and the Governor General to block her from publicly criticizing the government’s planned review of RAMSI.

But Ms Liloqula said her contribution at the meeting was to clarify important issues and to assure Ms Kauhue that she could communicate with Office of the Secretary to Cabinet to find out more about how decisions are made in the Executive Government.

“I as a woman will always have time to clarify any matters concerning the cabinet within my responsibilities once requested by other women,” Ms Liloqula said.

Ms Liloqula during the meeting explained how and why the cabinet made decisions and clearly explained to Ms Kauhue the procedures and roles of the Attorney General and the Secretary to Cabinet during cabinet meeting where both women are present.

“Ms Kauhue is making a lot of ill-informed arguments and such attitude poses a lot of risk to misleading the public on issues of national importance.

“Again she needs to trust that people are telling the truth, or at least for this case I have told the truth that the Office of the Prime Minister is not in any way involved in directing this audience with the Governor General. She can be more effective in her anti-government campaign with accurate information,” Ms Liloqula said.

Ms Liloqula welcomed Ms Kauhue to reveal all that was discussed during the meeting with the Governor General so that the public could judge for themselves on the issues discussed.

The Secretary to Cabinet said Ms Kauhue was given every opportunity to respond by the Governor General during the meeting and it is a matter of taking up the opportunity to ask questions for purposes of clarification.

“I encouraged her to talk and it is alright to do so at that time,” Ms Liloqula said.

“To claim that she was not given a chance to speak her mind at the meeting is absolutely inaccurate,” Liloqula said.

Liloqula said she was present at the meeting on invitation from the Governor General and it was not her own intention to be at the meeting.

“I was called at the same time that Ms Kauhue was called to attend to the meeting, believing that it was a chance for the three of us to discuss with Sir Nathaniel and his wife to address some priority issues of women in Solomon Islands,” she said.

She said Ms Kauhue’s claim that the meeting was a plan between the Office of the Prime Minister and the Governor General to intimidate her from freedom of speech is incorrect and an ill-informed assumption.

Meanwhile, Ms Liloqula said her respond to Ms Kauhue is to correct the misinformation that she advanced in the media and not an expression of personal resentment.

She said it is not a good initiative for senior women in the country to hurt each other instead of uniting to enhance the interests of women.

“Women advancing public attacks on other women on personal grounds will certainly paint a negative image on us,” she said. “It certainly show how divided we are and that will threaten our good intentions to advance the interest of women in the country.

Source: PMC

New Zealand Multi-millionaire badly beaten in Fiji

Fiji police are keeping heavy guard over a New Zealand citizen severely beaten after being accused of plotting to kill the country's coup leader.

Auckland-based relatives of multimillionaire businessman Ballu Khan, believed to be a former benefactor of the Auckland Blues rugby team, are waiting desperately for word of him after learning that New Zealand High Commission officials were prevented from visiting him in Suva's central police station.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that Mr Khan had been so badly beaten he had trouble speaking, due to swelling around his face.

He was under heavy guard at the hospital, with one of those guarding him involved in the beating he received, she said.

Mr Khan has since been transferred to a private hospital. A spokesman for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said diplomats had been allowed to see him there.

But the spokesman said they were still trying to arrange for him to see a lawyer, who had so far been denied access to him.


Prime Minister Helen Clark has condemned the treatment of Mr Khan, who is among 11 people so far to have been rounded up and accused of plotting to assassinate Fiji's self-appointed interim Prime Minister and coup leader Frank Bainimarama and the country's President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

"There is no question this New Zealand citizen has been denied his rights and his human rights have been abused," she said on One News last night.

She denied suggestions by Fijian police that New Zealand might be involved in a plot in some way, but said there was a clear risk to New Zealanders travelling to Fiji.

"I've always been concerned that in the aftermath of the coup, which New Zealand has spoken very strongly against, people would be at risk and sadly this has happened to one of our citizens.

Among others to be detained with Mr Khan was a high chief with links to Fiji's deposed democratically elected rulers, Ratu Inoki Takiveikata.

Commodore Bainimarama was shown on Fiji television entering the Suva police station after Mr Khan was detained, and remaining there for about 30 minutes, after New Zealand officials had been refused entry.

Although Mr Khan has been based recently in Fiji, he developed a large information technology company in Melbourne before moving its head office to the United States several years ago, and has family members living in Auckland.


He was identified by the Herald in 2003 as the benefactor who made a substantial financial contribution to help the Auckland Blues keep former All Black Carlos Spencer from being poached by European rugby clubs.

He was also at that time backing a rugby academy in Fiji that sent young players to New Zealand, and was helping to bankroll the under-resourced Fijian national side.

Although he is understood to have had a home in St Heliers, a Companies Office file on his company Tui Consulting, which he first registered in 1999 and of which he remains the sole director, lists him under a Melbourne address.

Source: NZ Herald

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Battling Bilikiki fall short

Solomon Islands FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup dream is all but over after a 5-2 loss to European giants Russia at the Copacabana Beach Soccer Arena in Rio de Janeiro overnight.

The Bilikiki Boys needed to win the match to strengthen their chances of a quarter-final slot but were immeadiately on the backfoot with barely 16 seconds elapsed Russia were in front thanks to Ilya Leonov.

Matters didn't improve for Solomon Islands and Fred Hale was picking the ball out of the back of the net a minute later when Dmitry Shishin grabbed a second goal for the Russians.

Trailing 2-0 at the end of the 1st period, Solomon Islands goalkeeper Fred Hale became an unlikely hero when he pulled a goal back for the Bilikiki but no sooner had the deficit been reduced, Russia bounced back through Leonov.

Rustam Shakmelyan made it 4-1 for Russia before Richard Anisua (pictured below left)nabbed a second goal for Bilikiki Boys.

Fortunes did not improve for the Oceania champions and Leonov grabbed his fourth goal and Russia's fifth to complete a solid victory that sets up a fascinating final round of matches.

Russia face a must-win showdown with Brazil and hope Solomon Islands can do them a favour by beating in-form Mexico.

Bilikiki's only hope of causing a monumental upset is if they can defeat Mexico by double figures then wait and see if Brazil achieve a similar feat against Russia.

Based on results so far either scenario appears highly unlikely.

Russian coach Nikolai Pisarev was satisfied with the result.

We did much better this time than we did in our first match, but we were still very nervous. I think we were considered favorites and we are not used to being in that position; we are not experienced enough to handle that. Anyway, we won the 3 points and are now ready to face Brazil with chances to move ahead.” )

Terry Van Dillen meanwhile bemoaned his team's slow start which the amiable Kiwi believed ultimately cost Solomon Islands the match.

“We were not concentrated at the beginning of the match and allowed two goals outright. We had not played since July and came straight from Solomon Islands to play against Brazil. Obviously, it is good to be here and the boys always have something to learn from the experience of taking part in a World Cup.”

Former Nelson Suburbs and now Kossa FC defender Gideon Omokirio echoed Van Dillen's sentiments blaming a lethargic start and then pleaded with his team to raise their game another notch ahead of what will likely be their final match in Rio.

“Our team did not start well, but we worked hard and ended up fighting back. We always believed we could win the match. Next match will be our last, and we will have to go the extra mile," Omokirio said.

Source: OFCFOOTBALL