Neu: 2001-08-18
Contents of this issue:
1. Coup Foiled?
2. Hotel Dilemma
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August 18th, 2001
1. Coup Foiled?
The Cook Islands Parliament has been adjourned in controversial
circumstances until August 22 after the government tabled amendments to
the Appropriation Bill 2001 and budget estimates.
While Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr. Terepai Maoate said that
the adjournment would allow him to be present during the budget debate
later, Opposition members claimed the move ensured that Dr. Maoate's
coalition government could not be brought down while he is out of the
country, amidst speculation of a Cook Islands Party-initiated coup.
Dr. Maoate is attending the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting in
Nauru, and has taken along with him independent MP Tepure Tapaitau
as his "legal advisor." (Cook Island News/PIR).
1. Hotel Dilemma :
Niue is having trouble leasing its 27 year old hotel, once the flagship
of the tourist industry. Fiji has a rather similar problem with one of
its former premiere etablishments on the Suva waterfront.
The Fiji delegation at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Nauru has
taken up the issue of the Grand Pacific Hotel with Nauru President Rene
Harris. Nauru, which bought the hotel and closed it to begin a major
upgrading, has done nothing further and the closed hotel has become an
eyesore on the Suva shorefront.
Fiji Foreign Secretary Ratu Tui Cavuilati told Bula 100FM News the
matter is of great concern to Fiji.
He said Fiji is looking at ways to convince the Nauru government to
rehabilitate and reopen the once grand establishment, which was Suva's
original premier hotel.
He said: "We are waiting for a response from the government of NauruSand
we have made suggestions and considerations to the government to do
something." ( PINA Nius Online).
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